Today I bring you Tip #9 in the “How to Read Your Bible” series. Scroll to the end for a full explanation of each previous tip.
TODAY’S FOCUS—
TIP #9: It’s All About Jesus
This entire school year we have been in a teaching series that we’ve called, “The Book of Jesus.” Why that title? Because if you remove Jesus from any of the storyline of the Scripture, you just have ancient stories. The Bible, all of it, points to Jesus. Whether you are reading Genesis, Leviticus (a Law book), Proverbs (wisdom sayings), Job (a human tragedy lined with faith), Hosea (an ancient prophet making a point for God out of a bad marriage), certainly the stories of Jesus found in Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John (the gospels), 1 Corinthians (a letter to a chaotic church), or Revelation (the final story)…it all points to Jesus. So my simple tip for today is that when you do begin a reading plan of any kind, you must keep your eyes focused on the essential point.
One of our earliest sermons from this series focused on Genesis 3:15. When Adam and Eve fell out of relationship with the Holy Creator God after being tempted by Satan, God himself made a proclamation and a promise: “He will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.” He cursed Satan and stated that he, the Almighty God, would send someone who would crush the head of Satan. God would rescue mankind through a Savior. The storyline of the coming Messiah Jesus began. Jesus is found all throughout the Scripture.
As you explore and read God’s Word on a regular basis, keep your eyes on the fact that all of it points to the Savior Jesus. Your reading life in God’s Word will be transformed.
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 — 2 Corinthians
- Proverbs
A devotional from my reading this week:
Luke 4:21
“The Scripture you’ve just heard has been fulfilled this very day.”
It was an amazing moment when Jesus went to his hometown synagogue gathering, took the Isaiah scroll, and read from Isaiah 61. The story is found in Luke 4:14-30. He read prophetic words from a famous prophet, Isaiah, who had written this down some 700 years before Jesus’ time. But the words were about the coming of a Savior—a Messiah. After reading the words, Jesus rolled up the scroll with amazing respect, and said, “Today in your hearing, this prophecy has been fulfilled.” The Savior, the rescuer, the redeemer, is here. Jesus is the fulfillment of it all.
In the above Bible reading tip, I stated that we need to always read the Bible keeping mindful that it is all about Jesus. In some places and stories in Scripture, it’s sometimes more of a challenge to make a connection to Jesus, although there really is a connection. But this prophetic story is certainly not one of those challenging passages.
My prayer:
God help me see that throughout history you have always been moving. You have always been active. You are all about the rescue of mankind. You are all about Jesus being the center. Thank you, God, for fulfilling everything in Jesus Christ.
God bless you as you dig into his Word.
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.
Tip #7: uSE bOOKMARKS TO gUIDE yOUR rEADING AND pRAY FOR THE wORLD
How to Read Your Bible (Part 7)
Use your daily Bible reading as a bridge into praying around the globe for God’s work.
TIP #8: rEAD aLONE
How to Read Your Bible (Part 8)
Allow God to speak to you personally as you sit with the Bible alone. There’s nothing wrong with reading with others, but this time is for God to speak to you.