Although Christians confess the Bible is God’s Word, many don’t read it regularly—much less daily. According to Lifeway Research, 1 in 3 Americans who regularly attend a Protestant church say they read the Bible personally every day. Close to 1 in 8 admit they rarely or never read the Bible.
George Guthrie, professor of New Testament at Regent College, believes reading the Bible is foundational for all of life. He says the church should come alongside believers, equipping them with tools for reading the Bible well and developing a heart eager to hear from God. In his book, A Short Guide to Reading the Bible Better, Guthrie gives Bible readers a roadmap for reading God’s Word well and pastors a resource for equipping their congregations to read the Bible.
Here are some of his suggestions…
- Foster a type of reading based on a deep rhythm of life. And that kind of reading is not textbook kind of reading. Make reading the Bible beautiful and compelling.
- Start a Bible reading club in your church.
- Ask your pastor to start a basic course on how to read the Bible effectively.
- Use one of the many bible reading tools that are available.
- Settle into more of a leisurely reading of the Bible rather than trying to stuff information into your brain.
- And Find a way to be drawn into the power and the beauty of God’s Word, not just the information in God’s words. It’s about a heart relationship with God. If we’re growing a love relationship with God, then that’s going to affect the way we hear and listen to the Bible.