how to read the bible -...
TRANSCRIPT
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How To
Read The Bible
written by
Michael J. Mercuriowritten by
Michael J. Mercurio
How To
Read The Bible
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IntroductionWHY READ THE BIBLE?
An unknown writer said, “This Book is the mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, the doom of
sinners, and the happiness of believers. Its doctrines are holy, its precepts are binding; its histories are
true, and its decisions are immutable. Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, practice it to be holy. It
contains light to direct you, food to support you, and comfort to cheer you. It is the traveler’s map, the
pilgrim’s staff, the pilot’s compass, the soldier’s sword, and the Christian’s character. Here paradise is
restored, heaven opened, and the gates of hell disclosed. Christ is its grand subject, our good its design,
and the glory of God its end. It should fill the memory, rule the heart, and guide the feet. Read it slowly,
frequently, prayerfully. It is a mine of wealth, a paradise of glory, and a river of pleasure. Follow its precepts
and it will lead you to Calvary, to the empty tomb, to a resurrected life in Christ, yes, to glory itself, for
eternity.”
WHAT’S IN THE BIBLE?
The Bible consists of 66 different but related books. It was inspired by God, written at the hands of multiple
people, recorded in a variety of literary styles, and developed over the span of thousands of years. It is a
record of God’s work from the beginning of time and it forsees the completion of God’s work in a time yet to
come. Before reading any part of it, it is helpful to gain a big picture view of the whole. So on pages
4 - 8, you will find several examples of Bible Survey. Here you will see how the Bible is put together, and
you will gain a sense of its historical timeline.
WHERE SHOULD I START READING?
This is a question that many people ask. Because the Bible doesn’t read like a simple novel and because
there is a historical context that sometimes leaves people confused, knowing where to read or how to get
into it, are often major issues. Some just jump in with both feet and attempt to read it from beginning to
end. They start with Genesis but get bogged down in Levitcus and often never get past Deuteronomy. With
this in mind, you will find on pages 9 - 13, three different Bible Reading Plans, adapted from “The Student
Bible” and other resources from Zondervan publishing. The first plan puts a survey of readings together in
two week increments. It’s a good place to start. The second plan surveys the entire Bible in 186 readings.
The last plan covers every chapter in the Bible and is based on a three year cycle. Reading through the
Bible is not a race, so don’t worry about your pace. Make sure you understand it as you go.
HOW CAN I APPLY WHAT I READ IN A PRACTICAL WAY?
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness,
so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” - II Timothy 3:16-17
According to this verse and many others, the Bible is meant to be put into practice. It is meant to be read,
understood and applied. Pages 14 - 18, therefore, describe a basic approach to Bible Application. This
simple outline will help you observe different points of application as you read and encourage you to write
down your observations as reminders for putting them into practice.
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Bible Survey
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Bible Survey - Overview
The list below shows the books of the Bible in the order that they are arranged in your Bible and the number
of chapters that are found in each.
1. Genesis 502. Exodus 403. Leviticus 274. Numbers 365. Deuteronomy 346. Joshua 247. Judges 218. Ruth 49. 1 Samuel 3110. 2 Samuel 2411. 1 Kings 2212. 2 Kings 2513. 1 Chronicles 2914. 2 Chronicles 3615. Ezra 1016. Nehemiah 1317. Esther 1018. Job 4219. Psalms 15020. Proverbs 3121. Ecclesiastes 1222. Song of Solomon 823. Isaiah 6624. Jeremiah 5225. Lamentations 526. Ezekiel 4827. Daniel 12
28. Hosea 1429. Joel 330. Amos 931. Obadiah 132. Jonah 433. Micah 734. Nahum 335. Habakkuk 336. Zephaniah 337. Haggai 238. Zechariah 1439. Malachi 4
1. Matthew 282. Mark 163. Luke 244. John 215. Acts 286. Romans 167. 1 Corinthians 168. 2 Corinthians 139. Galatians 610. Ephesians 611. Philippians 412. Colossians 413. 1 Thessalonians 514. 2 Thessalonians 315. 1 Timothy 616. 2 Timothy 417. Titus 318. Philemon 119. Hebrews 1320. James 521. 1 Peter 522. 2 Peter 323. 1 John 524. 2 John 125. 3 John 126. Jude 127. Revelation 22
When you read the Bible, it is important to note the different kinds of literature. The following list comes
from “Reading The Bible With Heart And Mind” by Tremper Longman.
History: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 & 2 Samuel,
1 & 2 Kings, 1 & 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther
Law: Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy
Poetry: Psalms, Lamentations
Wisdom: Job, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon
Prophets: Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk,
Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi
Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke-Acts, John
Epistles: Romans, 1 & 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians,
1 & 2 Thessalonians, 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon, Hebrews, James, 1 & 2 Peter,
1, 2 & 3 John, Jude
Apocalypse: Daniel, Revelation
Old Testament New Testament
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Bible Survey - Old Testament Keys
Key Books
Genesis
Exodus
Numbers
Joshua
Judges
1 Samuel
2 Samuel
1 Kings
2 Kings
Ezra
Nehemiah
Key Words
1. Creation
2. Patriarchs
3. Slavery
4. Freedom
5. Wandering
6. Conquest
7. Judges
8. Kingdoms
9. Captivity
10. Restoration
Key People
Adam
Noah
Abraham
Isaac
Jacob
Joseph
Moses
Joshua
Samuel
Saul
David
Solomon
- - - - - - -
Daniel
Ezekiel
Zerubbabel
Ezra
Nehemiah
Note: The key books represent the essence of the historical story.
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Bible Survey - New Testament Keys
Key Books
Matthew
Mark
Luke
John
Acts 1-12
Acts 13-15
Turkey
Acts 16-18
Greece
Acts 19-21
Jerusalem
Acts 22-28
Rome
(Revelation)
Key People
John the Baptist
JESUS
Peter
Philip
Paul
John the Apostle
Key Words
1. Preparation
2. Incarnation
3. Deputation
Of the Disciples
4. Crucifixion
5. Resurrection
6. Formation
Of the Church
7. Expansion
8. Conclusion
Note: The key books represent the essence of the historical story, with Revelation yet to come.
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Bible Survey - Summaries
The following summaries focus on the historical movement of the Old and New Testaments. They illustrate
a basic chronology of important people, places and events. As you come to understand this timeline, you
will see that the Bible is not a book of fiction. It is instead a written record of God’s role in human history.
These summaries are taken from “Bible Panorama” by Terry Hall, Victor Books, 1983.
After God created everything, He served judgment on a self-polluted race
through a worldwide Flood and scattering from Babel’s tower. Abraham, Isaac,
Jacob and Joseph were the founding fathers of the Hebrew people. After
developing into a great nation in Egypt, the new nation was delivered under
Moses. They were taught, tested, disciplined and retaught in the wilderness
until Joshua led them into their Promised Land. The transition to their first 3
kings, Saul, David, and Solomon, was made after a succession of 14 judges,
the last of whom was Samuel. After King Solomon, the Jewish Kingdom was
divided into Northern and Southern Kingdoms. After 19 more wicked kings,
Israel was taken from the north and scattered by Assyria. After the rule of 20
rival southern kings, Judah was taken into captivity in Babylon. While Ezra
and Nehemiah were leading Jews back home to Judah, Esther was a savior-
queen in Persia. Four hundred so-called “silent years” brings us to John the
Baptist and Jesus.
Heaven opened again with angels preparing for the births of John the Baptist
and Jesus Christ. After about 30 years John called the Jewish nation to a
baptism of repentance. Jesus Christ, God’s incarnate Son, showed the world
what God is like and taught the perfect ways of God for about 3 years. After
preparing 12 disciples to continue His work in the world, Jesus died voluntarily
on a cross for the sins of all mankind, arose from the dead, and returned to
heaven. Empowered by the Holy Spirit, the disciples spread the Good News
about Jesus’ salvation, mainly among the Jews. The apostle Paul carried the
Gospel to the Gentiles through extensive missionary journeys and wrote at least
13 of the New Testament letters. The Apostle John recorded the Revelation, a
prewritten history that summarizes God’s program for this world till the end of
time. The Bible ends as it began - with God completely in charge of His Cre-
ation, with no evil opposition.
Old Testament
New Testament
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Bible Reading Plans
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Readings From the Life and Teachings of Jesus
o Luke 1 ........................................................................................................... Preparing for Jesus’ arrival
o Luke 2 ...............................................................................................................The story of Jesus’ birth
o Mark 1 .................................................................................................. The beginning of Jesus’ ministry
o Mark 9 .............................................................................................................. A day in the life of Jesus
o Matthew 5 ...................................................................................................... The Sermon on the Mount
o Matthew 6 ...................................................................................................... The Sermon on the Mount
o Luke 15 ...................................................................................................................... Parables of Jesus
o John 3 .............................................................................................................A conversation with Jesus
o John 14 .............................................................................................................. Jesus’ final instructions
o John 17 ..................................................................................................... Jesus’ prayer for his disciples
o Matthew 26 ............................................................................................................... Betrayal and arrest
o Matthew 27 ................................................................................................. Jesus’ execution on a cross
o John 20 ............................................................................................................................... Resurrection
o Luke 24 .......................................................................................Jesus’ apprearances after resurrection
Readings From The Old Testament
o Genesis 1 ............................................................................................................... The story of creation
o Genesis 3 ...................................................................................................................... The origin of sin
o Genesis 22 .............................................................................................................. Abraham and Isaac
o Exodus 3 ..................................................................................................... Moses’ encounter with God
o Exodus 20 ........................................................................................ The gift of the Ten Commandments
o 1 Samuel 17 ............................................................................................................... David and Goliath
o 2 Samuel 11 .......................................................................................................... David and Bathsheba
o 2 Samuel 12 ................................................................................................ Nathan’s rebuke of the king
o 1 Kings 18 .............................................................................................. Elijah and the prophets of Baal
o Job 38 ..................................................................................................................... God’s answer to Job
o Psalm 51 ................................................................................................................A classic confession
o Isaiah 40 ....................................................................................................... Words of comfort from God
o Daniel 6 ................................................................................................................... Daniel and the lions
o Amos 4 ........................................................................................................... A prophet’s stern warning
Bible Reading Plan - Step 1
This plan is a place to begin reading the Bible. It takes you quickly into passages of the Bible every
Christian should know. They were selected with two concerns in mind: first, they are frequently quoted or
referred to. Second, they are relatively easy to read and understand.
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Bible Reading Plan - Step 2
o Genesis 1
o Genesis 2
o Genesis 3
o Genesis 4
o Genesis 7
o Genesis 8
o Genesis 15
o Genesis 19
o Genesis 22
o Genesis 27
o Genesis 28
o Genesis 37
o Genesis 41
o Genesis 45
o Exodus 3
o Exodus 10-11
o Exodus 14
o Exodus 20
o Exodus 32
o Leviticus 26
o Numbers 11
o Numbers 14
o Deuteronomy 4
o Deuteronomy 8
o Deuteronomy 28
o Joshua 2
o Joshua 6
o Joshua 7
o Joshua 24
o Judges 6
o Judges 7
o Judges 16
o Ruth 1
o 1 Samuel 3
o 1 Samuel 16
o 1 Samuel 17
o 1 Samuel 20
o 2 Samuel 6
o 2 Samuel 11
o 2 Samuel 12
o 1 Kings 3
o 1 Kings 8
o 1 Kings 17
o 1 Kings 18
o 2 Kings 5
o 2 Kings 17
o 2 Kings 22
o 1 Chronicles 17
o 2 Chronicles 20
o 2 Chronicles 30
o 2 Chronicles 32
o Ezra 3
o Nehemiah 2
o Nehemiah 8
o Esther 4
o Job 1-2
o Job 38
o Job 42
o Psalms 19
o Psalms 23
o Psalms 27
o Psalms 51
o Psalms 84
o Psalms 103
o Psalms 139
o Proverbs 4
o Proverbs 10
o Ecclesiastes 3
o Song of Solomon 2
o Isaiah 6
o Isaiah 25
o Isaiah 40
o Isaiah 52
o Isaiah 53
o Isaiah 55
o Jeremiah 2
o Jeremiah 15
o Jeremiah 31
This plan includes 186 of the 1,189 chapters in the Bible. Many well-known parts of the Bible are not
represented, and from some books, you will read only a single chapter. These 186 chapters have been
selected because they are understandable to the average reader without commentary. Taken together, they
provide a good foundation of Bible understanding. - If you miss a few days, don’t worry. Just resume
reading when you can, about a chapter a day. In 180 total days, you will get an overview that includes
something from every book in the Bible.
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o Jeremiah 38
o Lamentations 3
o Ezekiel 1
o Ezekiel 2-3
o Ezekiel 4
o Ezekiel 37
o Daniel 1
o Daniel 3
o Daniel 5
o Daniel 6
o Hosea 2-3
o Hosea 11
o Joel 2
o Amos 4
o Obadiah
o Jonah 3-4
o Micah 6
o Nahum 1
o Habakkuk 1
o Zephaniah 3
o Haggai 1
o Zechariah 8
o Malachi 3
o Matthew 5
o Matthew 6
o Matthew 13
o Matthew 19
o Matthew 26
o Matthew 27
o Matthew 28
o Mark 1
o Mark 2
o Mark 3
o Mark 4
o Mark 5
o Mark 6
o Mark 7
o Mark 8
o Mark 9
o Mark 10
o Mark 11
o Mark 12
o Mark 13
o Mark 14
o Mark 15-16
o Luke 1
o Luke 2
o Luke 10
o Luke 12
o Luke 15
o Luke 16
o Luke 18
o Luke 24
o John 3
o John 6
o John 10
o John 14
o John 15
o John 16
o John 17
o John 20
o Acts 1
o Acts 2
o Acts 5
o Acts 9
o Acts 16
o Acts 17
o Acts 26
o Acts 27
o Acts 28
o Romans 3
o Romans 7
o Romans 8
o Romans 12
o 1 Corinthians 13
o 1 Corinthians 15
o 2 Corinthians 4
o 2 Corinthians 12
o Galatians 3
o Ephesians 2
o Ephesians 3
o Philippians 2
o Colossians 1
o 1 Thessalonians 3-4
o 2 Thessalonians 2
o 1 Timothy 1
o 2 Timothy 2
o Titus 2
o Philemon
o Hebrews 2
o Hebrews 11
o Hebrews 12
o James 1
o 1 Peter 1
o 2 Peter 1
o 1 John 3
o 2 and 3 John
o Jude
o Revelation 1
o Revelation 12
o Revelation 21
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Bible Reading Plan - Step 3
This plan takes you through every word of the Bible, alternating between Old Testament readings and New
Testament readings. Other Bible-reading plans allot only a year for this project, requiring that at least 3
chapters be read each day. But many readers find such a pace to be unrealistic and discouraging. For
this reason, this plan requires only about one chapter a day and is stretched out over three years.
Note: The divisions listed below are grouped only to save space on this page. You can use it to mark
progress, but still read only one chapter at a time.
o Genesis 1-50
o Matthew 1-9
o Exodus 1-40
o Matthew 10-20
o Leviticus 1-14
o Matthew 21-28
o Leviticus 15-27
o Mark 1-8
o Numbers
o Mark 9-16
o Deuteronomy 1-17
o Luke 1-8
o Deuteronomy 18-34
o Luke 9-16
o Joshua 1-24
o Luke 17-24
o Judges 1-21
o John 1-7
o Ruth 1-4
o 1 Samuel 1-15
o John 8-14
o 1 Samuel 16-31
o John 15-21
o 2 Samuel 1-24
o Acts 1-7
o 1 Kings 1-11
o Acts 8-14
o 1 Kings 12-22
o Acts 15-21
o 2 Kings 1-25
o Acts 22-28
o 1 Chronicles 1-14
o Romans 1-8
o 1 Chronicles 15-29
o Romans 9-16
o 2 Chronicles 1-18
o 1 Corinthians 1-9
o 2 Chronicles 19-36
o 1 Corinthians 10-16
o Ezra 1-10
o Nehemiah 1-13
o 2 Corinthians 1-13
o Esther 1-10
o Job 1-21
o Ephesians 1-6
o Psalms 1-40
o Philippians 1-4
o Psalms 41-80
o Colossians 1-4
o Psalms 81-121
o 1 Thessalonians 1-5
o 2 Thessalonians 1-3
o Psalms 122-150
o Proverbs 1-31
o 1 Timothy 1-6
o Ecclesiastes 1-12
o Song of Solomon 1-8
o 2 Timothy 1-4
o Isaiah 1-36
o Titus 1-3
o Isaiah 37-66
o Philemon
o Jeremiah 1-26
o Hebrews 1-7
o Jeremiah 27-52
o Hebrews 8-13
o Lamentations 1-5
o Ezekiel 1-24
o James 1-5
o Ezekiel 25-48
o 1 Peter 1-5
o Daniel 1-12
o 2 Peter 1-3
o Hosea 1-14
o 1 John 1-5
o Joel 1-3
o Amos 1-9
o Obadiah
o Jonah 1-4
o 2 and 3 John
o Micah 1-7
o Nahum 1-3
o Jude
o Habakkuk 1-3
o Zephaniah 1-3
o Revelation 1-7
o Haggai 1-2
o Revelation 8-14
o Zechariah 1-14
o Malachi 1-4
o Revelation 15-22
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Bible Application
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Bible Application - Overview
PRAY
4. YieldWhen you seek to apply God’s truth, you sometimes run into a conflict whenHis way is not the same as your way. It’s like two cars coming to an intersec-tion at the same time. To avoid a crash, one must yield the right of way to theother. You must yield your will to God so that His will can be done in your life.At the beginning of your time in God’s word, you prayed. As you were reading,you trusted God to reveal himself to you. Now at the conclusion of your timewith Him, be sure and pray again. The adventure of life is waiting for you.
1. PrayThe Bible is not an ordinary book. It is the written record of God’s revelation to
man. As such it contains a spiritual message from him to you. You don’t want
to rush into it. The first step, therefore, involves slowing down and letting God
prepare you for an encounter with Him. If your concept of Bible reading was
primarily an intellectual exercise, you will need to make an adjustment. God
himself wants to help you. In fact, the four steps listed on this page have been
laid out as an acrostic to remind you what to do throughout: P.R.A.Y.
3. ApplyPart of the challenge in Bible reading is to understand what it says and what it
means. The other part is to know how to respond to what you have read. This
step stands alone on the page, not because the previous steps aren’t as
important, but because application, unless emphasized, is typically left out.
Many students of the Bible pride themselves on what they have learned, but
unless it is applied to real life, it is of little value. So be careful not to skip over
this step. Work hard at it and allow God to change you.
2. ReadTo have an encounter with God, you must let His message sink deep into your
heart. So read it very carefully. Read it one section or passage at a time.
Read the passage several times through. As you do so, keep in mind some
basic principles of observation and interpretation: Be aware of the historical
and cultural background. Be focused on what the passage actually says. Be
careful to interpret everything you read in context.
The four steps below illustrate a basic approach to Bible reading. Following it will emphasize the importance
of application. It will also lay a groundwork for future work in Bible study. The important thing here is to see
the big picture and to understand how it relates to your life. If you do that well, you will be richly blessed.
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Bible Application - Step By Step InstructionsRead through the basic steps below and keep them in mind as you read the Bible.
1. PrayBefore you do anything, stop and pray. This step is crucial to all the rest.
o Ask God to help you focus your mind.
If you are like most people, your mind will have a tendency to wander. Thoughts
of the day, worries for the future and the countless things on our “To Do” lists,
can become natural distractions to a focused time of Bible reading. Ask God for
help. Trust him with your concerns and seek the freedom of being completely
devoted to what you are going to do.
o Ask God to help you understand what you are about to read.
Reading the Bible is not like reading a novel or picking up a magazine. Within it’s pages are spiritual
truths and they must be spiritually discerned. By ourselves, we do not have what it takes to do this,
but God is more than willing to help. I Corinthians 2:12-13 says it this way, “We have not received the
spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given
us. 13 This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the
Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words.”
o Ask God to help you obey whatever he tells you to do.
The goal of Bible reading is not merely the acquisition of knowledge. Being smarter is not the same
as being wiser. Wisdom, when it is gained, always leads to appropriate action. We need to be
prepared for action from the start. James 1:23-25, “Anyone who listens to the word but does not do
what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away
and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that
gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be
blessed in what he does.”
2. Read
o Read in a “distraction free” environment.
Find a place where you are not likely to be distracted for at least 15 minutes. Make sure that the
lighting is adequate and that your seat is comfortable. Do not read while lying down.
o Read through the passage or chapter several times.
Read it straight through in one sitting. This is especially important when
considering larger portions. Then read it a second or third time, noticing
more and more along the way.
o Read like a detective and look for things to apply to your life
This is not an abstract exercise. The goal is to understand God better,
to understand yourself better and to learn how he wants you to live.
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3. ApplyA primary goal in Bible reading is application. Think of it as a bar of soap, thesheer possession of which does not make you clean. You become clean whenyou apply it to your body. In the same way, reading the Bible in and of itselfdoes not make you holy. You experience holiness when, with God’s help, youapply what you read to your life.
o Write at least one way that the material your have read applies to your life.Ask yourself the following questions: Is there a sin to confess, a promise to claim, an action to avoid,a command to obey, or an example to follow? They will not be in every passage you read, nor arethey the only application points to look for, but they will get you started. The letters: S.P.A.C.E. willremind you.
• S - Sin To ConfessAs you read a particular passage of the Bible, this first step is not to recognize sin in general, butspecifically to recognize sin in your life. This includes wrong things that you do as well as rightthings that you fail to do (James 4:17). Sin is present not only in our actions, but also in ourspeech and in our thoughts. How will you know if something is a sin or not? The Bible says thatthe Holy Spirit will convict you of it (John 16:8). So read the Bible with your whole heart. Don’tskip over anything that is uncomfortable. Confess it to God as He brings it to mind and thencontinue on with your reading.
• P - Promise To ClaimUnderstand that a promise is not the same as a principle. God’s principles never change be-cause God never changes. However, God’s promises are based on what he said he would do ornot do. Some of his promises are timeless, others are not. Some of his promises are uncondi-tional, others are not. God’s promises are certainly given for our benefit, but be careful that younever take them out of context. Also understand the situation in which it was originally given andthen ask God if that applies to you.
• A - Action To AvoidActions to avoid are specific actions that the Bible exhorts us not to do. In a sense they arenegative commands. Quite often they even begin with the word, “Don’t”, but can be expressed inother ways as well. Sometimes an action to avoid can be discerned from the poor example of aBiblical character. Just because they are mentioned in the Bible doesn’t mean that they are to beimitated. Anything that Satan does for example would be an action to avoid, but so would thebehavior of a lot of people. As you note these things, be sure and distinguish them from sins thatyou actually need to confess. Here, the value is to see the problem before the temptation comesto you.
• C - Command To ObeyCommands are a part of both the Old and New Testament. In the Old Testament, they were givenas a part of the covenant relationship that God had with Israel. Some commands seem to only fitthat particular context. In the New Testament, we learn that we are free from the “Law” in terms ofour salvation, but we are not free from obedience as a part of our relationship with Christ (John14:21). If we love him we will show our love through obedience, not simply through sheer humaneffort, but through the power of His Spirit within us. Keep in mind that this exercise in Biblereading is an encounter with the Living God.
• E - Example To FollowNarrative passages tend to have more examples to follow than do other kinds of Biblical literature.That is because they are more biographical in nature and describe people who were obedient toGod’s commands. So instead of focusing on the commands of God, you will be inspired bypeople just like you who often struggled and doubted before they submitted themselves to God.As you read, look for real people. They are included in God’s word for the purpose of letting youknow that obedience is both possible and practical.
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4. YieldThis final step is where the rubber meets the road. It will reveal whether you
had an encounter with God or simply time put in with a good book. Before you
leave your time with the Lord, ask him to help you live out what you know He
wants you to do and what He wants you to be.
o Ask God to help you carry out His will for your life.
Remember, the underlying foundation for reading the Bible is prayer. To pray is the
most effective step you can take at the beginning, in the middle and now at the end of your time with
the Lord. Jesus said, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he
will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a
branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. 8
This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.” (John
15:5-8)
o Ask God to remind you of your commitment and His willingness to help.
One of the biggest shortcomings in reading the Bible is to forget about what you have read. To be
effective in your life, you will need to carry with you, the lessons that you have learned. Otherwise,
you will not apply them when it counts. So ask God to keep reminding you about the things that you
need to practice.
Note: The “yield” sign was chosen because it reminds us that we have to let God have the right of
way in all the decisions of our lives. But it was also chosen, because whenever we are in our cars,
we see them just about everywhere we go. Let it serve a dual purpose then, certainly for safety on thehighway, but also for the safety of living right with God.