How Do I Read the Bible? Enjoy a Daily Quiet Time.

(This post is one in a series on “How Do I Read the Bible.” Find other posts in the series here).

How do I read the Bible? Enjoy a daily “quiet time.” The basics of a quiet time are (1) the Bible and (2) prayer. We set aside a specific time to read God’s Word to hear his voice, and we talk to him in prayer. When prayer lulls, we read his Word some more. Back and forth – read and pray.

If you are just beginning a quiet time, I suggest grabbing your Bible, a notebook, and a pen. I set those items out on the kitchen counter each evening after supper, even pre-opening my Bible to where I last left my bookmark. Now, when I roll out of bed tomorrow morning, it’ll be ready for me. 🙂

The next morning (of course, you can read and pray ANY time of day!), I begin my quiet time with prayer, asking God to help me understand the Bible. I read a verse or paragraph, and then I pray some more, glancing back at what I just read, seeking to understand it and praying about what it brings to mind. I continue this pattern of read-pray-read-pray during the time I have available. In my notebook, I write down verses or phrases of Scripture that jump out at me (jotting down bits of Scripture is also a wonderful way to help me remember it!). Sometimes I write down something I am praying for or something I have learned. 

Note! – my notebook is almost always for “my eyes only,” not necessarily because I need to keep it private so much as I don’t view my notebook as a memoir or Instagram-ready material. My notebook/journal is a tool for me to know and love Jesus more; it’s a place to work out what I’m learning. If I view it as more than this, I tend to invite distraction or an audience into my quiet time. Before I know it, my quiet time becomes a stage on which to perform rather than the corner where a needy beggar finds bread and water.

I sometimes incorporate other Bible study materials into my quiet time, and these have their place. But Jesus in the Word of God is himself the feast, so I filter the resources I use through this question: Does this help or motivate me to open my Bible to know God, see Jesus, and talk to him in prayer myself? If so, it may be a valuable (as well as rare) resource.

But what can I do when my quiet time feels stale? What about if I don’t enjoy having a quiet time? Until next time..!

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If you’re new to Bible reading, I want to share a 21-day Bible reading plan with you! (You’ll find it on the Resource page.) Over the course of 3 weeks you’ll read some key passages from Genesis to Revelation that will provide a “skeleton” framework for understanding the Big Picture of the Bible.
-amanda