Here at Trinity we continue to encourage everybody to read their bibles. In the scope of things given by God to encourage the saints, and to build and sustain the faith of God's people I'd place bible reading and prayer second only to gathering with the church for worship each week. In other words, it's really, really important. In counseling anyone who wants to live well in the world: Worship with God's people, read the bible & pray are the soil out of which everything else should grow.

But what should we do when we open our bibles? Well, I'd begin by just reading. "Oh begin!" was John Wesley's exhortation to his fellow pastor when it came to calling him to read. God has set before us a meal to eat and be nourished by. Sometimes you have extended time, sometimes you only have a few minutes, but make coming to this meal and eating a priority. And when you come, come in faith - particularly believing that the bible describes God and the world and you "right side up." Sin individually and at a societal level has turned our understanding of the world upside down and encountering the bible's teaching about sex or gender or judgment or grace can be jarring. Let God correct you in the text. Finally, as you begin to read and listen to the scriptures, it can be helpful to be guided by a few questions. Here are some questions I've found fruitful as I read, whether I have 20 minutes or an hour:

1) What is it I'm reading? (Context, Genre)

Is this a letter or narrative or poetry? What can I know about when it was written and for what purpose? Understanding what we've picked up to read is important to understanding the meaning of what we're reading. Take a few minutes when starting a new book of the bible to get a basic lay of the land and discover what exactly it is that you are holding in your hands. Then as you progress each day, remind yourself what you're reading. We've been given a plethora of resources to aid in learning this information - study bibles, the Bible Project, commentaries. A few minutes here will help you see so much more of what the bible is saying.

2) What preceded this bit of text?

If you find yourself in Romans 11, its important to remember what was in Romans 10 (and 9 and 3 and 1). Scripture does not exist in isolation from other portions of scripture. That verse you really like is connected logically to the verses that came before and after. Take a minute to remember what's come before what you've taken up to read today.

3) Does this point me to anything else I've read in Scripture before?

The bible is always quoting and pointing forward and backward to other parts of the bible. The work God is up to in history is filled with promises and types and fulfillments that help us see numerous layers to what God is saying and doing in the bible. Think back to what you've read before - anything oddly familiar? Use those handy cross-references in the margins or at the bottom of the page- here are gifts given to us that are worth their weight in gold.

4) Are there any clear logical connections or arguments in this text that I should take note of?

The bible argues. Look for words like 'because', 'therefore'. 'in order that' and 'if...then' these help trace the logic behind the bible's arguments. Also take note of how stories are told and in what order they are told in. Look for odd details that seem out of place. This is how the bible argues. Learn to pay attention to these things as you read, and get curious.

5) What does this text tell me about God?

Be constantly asking the question: What must He be like? This is the main thing about every part of Scripture, it reveals to us the character and actions and words of God. May this question undergird all of your reading of Scripture (and frankly your whole way of viewing the world). If you are looking you'll see things that comfort you and disturb you and confront you about who He is and what he does all over the bible. See him as he actually is in the text, not as you want him to be or as you think he should be, but as he actually is. Our family asks this question every time we sit together to read the bible as a family - what does this psalm, story, letter, promise, warning, judgment tell me about the character of God -about what he loves and hates, about how he acts, about his power? This question has borne more fruit in my life than almost anything else.

6) In what ways does this text confront me or the world around me?

If the bible is right side up and often times my way of thinking or feeling or desiring is effected by sin, then I should find myself surprised and confronted when I read the bible. The same is true with our secular culture. Take note of the ways that the bible is out of sync with how I naturally feel or think or the world around me feels and thinks.

7) What surprised me about this text?

Take note of places where something surprises you in the bible. And, you should look to be surprised. Where does something happen that shocks you or offends you? Does Jesus say something that delights you, or makes you laugh? Does God do something that causes you to throw up your hands in shock or incredulity? Don't blow past these things, take note of them and think on them.

Lastly, pray. Pray before you read. Pray while you read. Pray after you read. The Spirit loves to illumine the words of God to help us see, to love, to worship, to repent. Pray that God would cause you not only to see and understand the words on the page, but also to learn how to delight in the words and the commands of God.

For Further Reading:

Theopolitan Reading, Peter Leithart

Through New Eyes, James Jordan

Reading the Bible Supernaturally, John Piper