Today I bring you Tip #7 in the “How to Read Your Bible” series. Scroll to the end for a full explanation of each previous tip.
TODAY’S FOCUS—
TIP #7: Use Bookmarks to guide your reading and Pray for the World
This tip to reading your Bible is actually a bridge into learning to read God’s Word combined with spending time praying.
If you have followed the pattern of reading from four locations in the Bible (as stated above in Tip #2), I recommend that you use bookmarks in your paper Bible to help find your place. But these would not be just ordinary bookmarks. I love to use global prayer bookmarks in those four locations. On each of the bookmarks you personalize them as your own (make them as simple as you need them to be). But make these bookmarks reflect the commitment to global missions that our church and you personally have made.
At LifeWay some time ago we made a commitment to be an Acts 1:8 church. We have taken seriously the charge given to us by Christ when he said to go by the power of the Holy Spirit and be his witnesses in Jerusalem (our city), Judea (our nation), Samaria (cross culturally), and the Ends of the Earth (all other places in the world). With bookmarks that reflect those four locations where God has called us, I take a moment every day as I read from four Bible sections to pray for…
- Our city and all the partnerships we hold dear to us
- North American partners and projects I know of
- Cultures we are connected with in our region
- Those incredible international partners around the world
In the end, I find that every time I walk through the four locations in God’s Word, I am at the same time praying around the world. It is actually very simple, but incredibly powerful. I also find that praying this way brings a new level of freshness to what God has called me to do in the world.
Keep reading God’s Word!
MY PERSONAL DEVOTIONAL
A peek into Billy’s devotional thoughts this week
Each week I am giving you a little insight into my devotional life and reading, only to show you by example what you can and should do with your personal reading of God’s Word.
My current daily reading locations:
- Old Testament — 1 Kings
- Gospels — Luke
- New Testament — 1 Corinthians
- Proverbs
A devotional from my reading this week:
I Will Be King!
1 Kings 1:5 Now Adonijah, whose mother was Haggith, put himself forward and said, “I will be king.”
The books of 1 & 2 Kings, as well as 1 & 2 Chronicles, are called some of the “history books” of the Bible. They give details of kings and kingdoms in the days following the rule of David, the most famous of biblical kings. On a first reading, it feels like a historical hodge-podge, with lots of names and events of one king after another, many of whom were fighting someone else for power. We would feel this way until we come to realize that God is telling a much bigger story than just a political power struggle over the control of a human nation. God was giving direction to a chosen group of people (the Jews) in order to accomplish his greater purpose. God had a lineage in mind, and it was not Adonijah—instead it was Solomon (who is a complicated figure as well, for sure). But in this opening line of the book of 1 Kings,, I see that Adonijah decided he should be king.
I think to myself how often I just decide on my own what I should do, where I should go, how I should be blessed, and what title I should have over my name. How arrogant on my part. How antithetical this is to following God’s way. When I commit to being a follower of Christ, I give over my titles, my desires, and all those things that I should have, and tell God, “My life is yours.” I cannot say, “I will be king!” Instead I must say, “God, use me as you will.”
Keep reading and poring over your Bible!
TIP #1: READ SYSTEMATICALLY AND SLOWLY
How to Read Your Bible (Part 1)
Don’t worry about reading for speed. Learn to set a reading habit for the rest of your life.
TIP #2: CHOOSE THE LOCATION OF WHERE TO READ
How to Read Your Bible (Part 2)
Read the Bible in four locations:
- Old Testament
- Gospels
- New Testament
- Psalm
TIP #3: USE A STUDY BIBLE AS YOUR PRIMARY BIBLE TO READ FROM EACH DAY
How to Read Your Bible (Part 3)
Choose one of the many study Bibles, and make that study Bible your primary PAPER Bible to read each day until you have read the Bible through—then choose another one and start the process over.
Tip #4: Choose your Bible Translation
How to Read Your Bible (Part 4)
Choose from the reliable list of translations—but pick one and start reading! Over the years, read from other English translations.
Tip #5: Mark up your Bible! Take notes!
How to Read Your Bible (Part 5)
This is one of my personal favorites. I love to mark up and write in my Bible.
Tip #6: Treat weekends as worship and preparation
How to Read Your Bible (Part 6)
Read your Bible in one pattern for the five days of the work week, then treat the weekend to read as worship preparation.