As promised...

BIBLE READING IDEAS!! 

I shan't take any credit for these ideas because these are mostly Pastor Joe Stowell's personal approaches to bible reading. I'm so glad I'm finally going to get the chance to learn from the man who will be doing an exposition of the book of Philipians at St. Andrew's cathedral next Thur and Fri night. In fact, I'm currently reading this book so that the seminar will be more meaningful to me. It's great to gain new insights to the bible. To me, it's the most comprehensive handbook of life, and a great source of psychological research ideas for me too! Ever since I started reading the Life Application Bible for QT, I find myself more captivated by the profundity and wisdom of God's Word, and I feel it nourishing and transforming me. Okay, enough said, let's get to the tips!

Keep yourself plugged in till you feel nourished!

The number one tip by Joe Stowell is to treat every time of bible reading as an encounter with God and not just an exercise. In this encounter, search for something relevant to you in the word. This may come quickly, or sometimes it may take longer. Allow your soul, heart and mind to be ministered. 

Capture the ministry such that you can take it with you through the day.

Writing down a concept on a piece of paper and carrying it in your bag, memorizing a key verse, or making some verses a brief and memorable prayer that you can lift before Him are some methods you can try on a daily basis.

Reflect on God's Word in terms of its intended purposes. [MY FAVE TIP!]

This would align you with what He wants to do in your life. He has told us that His Word is...

1. A Mirror: Therefore, you need to read to see yourself as you really are in the light of what the text is saying.

2. A Seed: Permit the Word to be implanted deep in your heart and then envision what the fruit will be if you water and nurture it with care.

3. A Sword: the double-edged kind that pierces through all the externals and reveals the deepest secrets and motives. Let it cut where it will and honestly admit and submit to its surgery.

4. A Lamp: It gives you guidance and direction in the darkness of life.

5. Bread for your Soul: Let the Word nourish your soul. Allow yourself to be touched by a truth, encouraged, comforted, and reproofed. Gain insights from the Word. 

Share the Word with a trusted friend.

This is especially productive if your friend is on the same spiritual wavelength as you. Sharing life-related insights can be a powerful bonding tool with friends, spouses and children.

Vary your approach to scripture.

For a season, you could read 2 or 3 chapters a day in the Psalms and the proverb that goes with the day of the month. At other times a study of a theme (such as friends, money, love, repentance, forgiveness) using the concordance at the back of the bible can be enlightening. You can choose to study an area that you are struggling with in your own life. Bible reading need not be a tedious discipline; it shouldn't be a chore. It can be fun and you can inject creativity as long as you are being ministered to. Sometimes I read little booklets on certain bible themes instead of my bible. This centers me on a point of need and interest.

Read the text submissively.

If you want to profit from its ability to connect you with the One who is speaking through it, this has to be the case. Engaging the Word with a less than open and yielded spirit will widen your distance from God and make bible reading a ritual. Remember: "This book will keep you from sin or sin will keep you from this book!"

Hope these were helpful!