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What is the best way to read the Bible?

Discussion in 'General Baptist Discussions' started by TC, Aug 5, 2009.

  1. TC

    TC Active Member
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    There are many different charts and reading programs for Bible reading. I generally use the whole book method of reading. I first heard it advocated by Woodrow Kroll on the Back to the Bible radio program a number of years ago. He stated if possible set aside enough time to read an entire book of the Bible. Read it several times if needed. While it is harder to do on the larger books, it is quite worth the effort to do so. By reading the whole book, it will be easier to see the overall picture of the book and how all the different parts of the book fit together. He said it makes it harder to pull things out of context and helps to avoid wrong interpretation of individual verses or passages in the book. One drawback I see is that one could spend to much time of the shorter books and ignore other longer, harder to read books.

    I also see wisdom of those that read the Bible straight through from page 1 to the last page. Thing said by Jesus, Peter, Paul, ect. could easisly be misunderstood by anyone who does not know the OT very well. What say ye?
     
  2. sag38

    sag38 Active Member

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    Just the fact that someone is reading the Bible on a regular basis is great. But, I do believe that there is a better benefit received when does it in some type of systematic manner. Personally, I've read it from front to cover several times. Now I'm reading books from the Bible. I generally read one chapter a day. But, if it's heavy I may read only half. Or I may go back and re read it again the next day.Sometimes I've read several chapters in one setting. Mainly, I'm seeking to hear from God, to learn more of His word, and to have it implanted in my heart and mind as I read.
     
  3. Mexdeaf

    Mexdeaf New Member

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    I generally read from Genesis to Revelation (and once did Revelation to Genesis- very interesting!) and try to read through a different version each year. For many years it was just the KJV (once in a chronological edition, other times in various study editions) and the RV1960, two years ago it was the HCSB, last year the ESV, this year it is the NIV. Next year- probably the NIRV or CEV because I am looking for a good translation to use with the deaf.
     
    #3 Mexdeaf, Aug 5, 2009
    Last edited by a moderator: Aug 5, 2009
  4. Johnv

    Johnv New Member

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    The best way is to read it in its original language, when it was originally written, with its original recipient(s). Since we can't do that, we should read each book (and sometimes, each chapter) with the original language's context, original culture, and original recipient(s) in mind. If we don't keep these things in mind, we stand the change of taking passages out of their intended context, wich would result in not only a misinterpretation, but also a misapplication, of scripture.
     
  5. donnA

    donnA Active Member

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    I've read straight through a few times, and then skipped all over after each book(OT for one book, NT for another book) and read the whole thing. Right now though I'm reading in chronological order, or the best order list I could find.
     
  6. annsni

    annsni Well-Known Member
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    I'm doing the chronological and it's SOOO interesting. It's made so much more sense because of how events can be in 3 different books and it seems like deja vu otherwise! LOL
     
  7. TC

    TC Active Member
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    I just have to get me one of them Delorean time machines. :smilewinkgrin:
     
  8. TC

    TC Active Member
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    I did get a chronological a bible a bit ago. I intend to read that one next. :thumbsup:
     
  9. saturneptune

    saturneptune New Member

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    I have come across some structured programs that read the Bible in a year. What I find for myself (not a fast reader) is that one reads so fast or skims, that not a lot of new insight is gained. That is just my opinion.

    No doubt everyone knows that if you are not reading the King James, you are not reading the Bible.

    [​IMG]
     
  10. Scarlett O.

    Scarlett O. Moderator
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    I LOVE my chronological Bible! It's the best I've ever read.

    And you are quite right, it is very interesting.

    Right now, I am in the middle of doing a cross-reference study of Philippians. That is, I'm using a variety of on-line tools (no commentaries!) and looking at how scripture answers scripture.

    Don't get me wrong, I love commentaries. I especially like David Guzik and Adam (?) Clarke.

    However, commentaries aren't God-breathed. And I am learning so very, very much do this cross reference study.
     
  11. saturneptune

    saturneptune New Member

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    Would you please explain how a chronological Bible study works going through the entire Book? It sounds interesting.
     
  12. Jim1999

    Jim1999 <img src =/Jim1999.jpg>

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    Since the 40's, I have followed Scripture Union Notes for my daily Bible reading. I read the complete thoughts in each portion of the copy of scriptures I have, since no one has the inspired word of God. I read the related history of the events and the people involved.

    I don't like reading the entire book in a year because one tends to miss the actual thoughts in trying to keep up to reading the required portion in a time limit. Confessedly, I have read the entire bible several times a year, but gave it up many years ago. It gave me a familiarity with the words, but not the thoughts, so it was almost like learning the alphabet and no words.

    I will support anyone who makes any effort to read and understand the scriptures we have at hand.

    Cheers,

    Jim
     
  13. Scarlett O.

    Scarlett O. Moderator
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    OK, for example….

    Since the chronological Bible is a one-year Bible, let me just pick a few days at random and tell you what is presented.

    Oh, and I don't necessarily read only what's presented for each day. I'm only on June 28 and today is August 7. But I am involved in the Philippians study, too, and just finished a topical survey of worship which took about 4 weeks. I don't believe in "legalistic" adhering to the one-year Bible, but I do believe in reading the Bible everyday.

    June 22-30

    June 22 ends with King Uzziah’s and King Jotham’s stories in Judah. So you read 2 Kings 15 and 2 Chronicles 26.

    And because Isaiah and Micah, the prophets wrote during the reign of Uzziah and the few kings after him, on June 23-24, you read Isaiah 1-5.

    Also on June 24, you go back to 2 Kings 15 and Chronicles 26-27 and read about the kings of Israel who reigned during Uzziah’s and Jotham’s reign in Judah.

    June 25, 26, and 27 is the book of Micah who is a contemporary of Isaiah and had a very similar message to the exact same people.

    June 8 is back in Kings and Chronicles about the early beginnings of captivity that the two prophets warned about.

    Then June 29-30 is Isaiah 7,8, and 9, the prophesies about the Savior.

    Also, the Psalms, Proverbs, and much of Ecclesiastes is presented by themes and the Psalms are scattered throughout according to theme.

    The Old Testament, because it is broken down by themes and because the prophets are introduced in the context of when they prophesied whether it be 2 Kings or whatever, it makes more sense.

    And, the man who compiled it all this way gives much description of what you are about to read before you read (not a commentary) that it almost read like a novel. I find it hard to put down sometimes.

    My description isn't too good, :laugh: but next time you are in a Christian bookstore, pick one up and thumb through it.

    It's called The Daily Bible in Chronological Order.
     
    #13 Scarlett O., Aug 6, 2009
    Last edited: Aug 6, 2009
  14. Lux et veritas

    Lux et veritas New Member

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    The best way to read your Bible? With your heart, not just your eyes.
     
  15. donnA

    donnA Active Member

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    I ahd no idea there was cronological bible, now thats what we need, we're both reading cronologicaly right now.
     
  16. Johnv

    Johnv New Member

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    I'd include "with your mind" as well. Also, I think it's important we not read scripture for the purpose of escaping the world. I've been guilty of that myself from time to time.
     
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