The Problem
You’ve probably had the following experience, like me, more than once.
You do your daily Bible reading, and…nothing.
It seems all you’ve accomplished is to cross off another entry in your Bible Reading Plan. Your mind was drifting to what you had to do that day. The Lord didn’t speak to you through His Word. If He did, you weren’t listening. You get to the end of the chapter, and you can’t remember what you read.
Solutions
I don’t have a silver bullet.
Given our frailty as humans, days like what I describe above will occur now and again. But, we can be wise and have them occur less often.
Lots of wise and godly men have made suggestions. For example, here are two I’ve heard before:
- Be sure to pray first.
This is helpful as God will answer your prayer for help and you’ve directed your mind God-ward before you attempt to read. - Bring a separate notepad & pen with you.When you think about something you must do that day, write it down. The act of writing it down seems to validate in your mind that you’ve given the item attention, and you can follow-up with it later. Also, as you’ve written it down you won’t think of it again. Trying not to think about something while reading the Bible will only serve to encourage you to think about it more.
Questions
In addition, intentionally asking questions of your Bible reading text is extremely beneficial.
I mentioned earlier this year how encouraged I have been since beginning One-To-One Bible Reading. In the process of doing this Bible reading, in most case I’ve opted to use the Swedish Method as outlined in the One-to-One Bible Reading
The Swedish Method, which I’ll explain shortly, is very simple. It essentially only requires you to ask three broad questions of the text. Yet surprisingly, through the process of looking at a text with questions in mind, I’ve found the Word to come alive, to be deeply engrained in my heart, leaving me extremely edified for my day. At the same time, the distractions of the world seem less likely to intrude.
Swedish Method
Are There Any Light Bulbs?
Is there anything that shines out in the passage and draws attention; it can be something important, or something that particularly strikes you as the reader?
Are There Any Question Marks?
Is there anything that is hard to understand; something that you as the reader would like to be able to ask the author about?
Are There Any Arrows?
Is there anything that applies personally to your life?
Other Questions?
I know there are other “systems” out there for Bible reading and asking questions of a text, and I’d love to hear them from you in the comments. But what I love about these three questions is their simplicity. They don’t lord over your reading. It allows your time in God’s Word to remain ‘organic’, not repetitive day after day. Yet, they’re pointed enough that it forces you to consider the text properly. If you’re so inclined, and you have the time, you can take a specific point to further study.
The “Swedish Method” graphic and text adapted from David Helm’s One-to-One Bible Reading
I can certainly relate personally to the mechanics of a bible reading plan in checking it off a “to-do” list. I am a proponent in the application of scripture to my life, but of course it rarely happens. I like this method because it is simple, yet not so simple to be routine. Thanks for bringing this method to our attention. I may just use this in 2012.
Thanks for joining the blog, and I hope the Lord uses this technique to bless you in 2012.
I loaned my copy of One-to-One Bible Reading to my friend who is mentoring a young lady, and she is going to use it with her young friend.
That’s great to hear. I really appreciated the book.
The thing that has helped me more than anything in my daily reading is simply a pad/journal and a pen. Reading a passage then writing down what I think it means, or why it is important. Asking myself questions, or even asking the text and God questions. If I’m not %100 sure what is going on, or what it means, I write that too…Also, if you mark up your Bible like I do, its an interesting exercise to ponder/meditate on simply the phrases or lines that you’ve underlined or noted…Again, the journal is helpful for that as well. Thanks for the post, will be anxious to read others input.
Chris, journaling is something I’ve never really got into. I should force myself to set aside a month or two where I commit to doing it. I’m sure I’d end that time being thankful for it and continuing. Thanks for the reminder.
I’m scratching my head over this one. Why does Bible reading have to “accomplish” something? I’ve been married for over 30 years, but only have 5 children. Does that mean all the times I’ve loved my wife that I’ve only “accomplished” something 5 times? Even worse, what if my secret hope each time before and after was that we would “accomplish” something? Doesn’t that sound incredibly crass and heartless?
Bible reading is a conversation. Do we expect every conversation to “accomplish” something? Do we come out of every conversation with a sense of accomplishment or disappointment if we’ve not accomplished something?
I guess it’s too much to expect us to just enjoy the Bible for its own sake, eh?
I think you and Nathan are probably on the same page, although you may just be using words slightly differently. When he mentioned accomplishing something, I think he was referring to the communication that you mentioned. He contrasts this with going through the motions but not having any of that communication.
I think you’ve read too much into my wording. It would be more akin to 30 years of marriage and not really listening to your wife when she speaks to you. It’s not right. It’s not what you want in a marriage. But, occasionally it does happen.
I wish I could say that in and of myself I simply “enjoy the Bible for its own sake”, but I so often need to be reminded and need graces to help me not be distracted.
Thanks for commenting Rick.
I love reading the Bible, and praying with pen and notebook in hand, it helps me to keep focused (excellent advice for moms who feel very tired and easily fall asleep during devotions). Most of the times, I find it helpful to read it along with a good commentary. That enriches my understanding and helps me apply the Word to my life, to memorize the Scriptures (because I understand what each passage really means), and to grow in my the faith.
I have not yet ordered the book, One-to-One Bible Reading, and I can’t wait to order it and go through it with a friend of mine. These three questions you point out today seem to be very helpful.
Thanks for the encouragement to keep up with our Bible reading.
Blessings.
Thanks Becky. I’m sure you’ll love the book and find One-to-One Bible Reading helpful with your friend. Finding a good commentary is such a blessing when working through the Bible.
I think I remember Wayne Grudem saying that he just read the Bible until something particularly struck him. That’s worked well for me. I may read a verse or a few verses or a chapter. I may be impacted by a particular word and study it more deeply. I may have particular questions raised. I may be struck by an application of the scripture. Interestingly, it ends up working out probably pretty similarly to using the Swedish Method. Although perhaps there’s benefit in me being more formulaic about things.
That’s another good suggestion Loren. I think the key is to not be aimlessly reading with our minds disengaged from the text. With the busyness of life, that is so easy to do.
I found One-to-One helpful for that simple method as well and easy to use while reading with others. Another method my pastor has taught is S.P.A.C.E. which can be helpful sometimes in personal study.
S: Is there a sin to confess?
P: Is there a promise to remember?
A: Is there an attitude to adjust?
C: Is there a command?
E: Is there an example to follow?
Joe, welcome to the blog. SPACE. Easy to remember, and 5 good questions. Thanks!
I can understand what rick is saying (writing).
If God doesn’t give me a revelation, or there isn’t anything to apply or nothing seems to happen, although I savor the times it does, I don’t really care–stay with me. However, before reading, I’m first of all amazed that I’m reading the words of the holy living creator of the universe who lives in me! So even if none of those things happen, I’m worshiping God by reading (which happens to be my best way to worship, whether the Bible or related books). So His words are going in my head (I make no real distinction between head and heart) and that’s a good thing. I’ve never been a notebook person.
Maybe it’s my station in life, which is ironically a lot of suffering, maybe it’s because it’s always been pretty easy, but I just don’t get into all that stuff except pray before I read and remember what it is I’m reading, as I mentioned.
There are also distinctions between types of reading like familiarity–like a yearly reading plan, devotional–whether a chapter down to a paragraph, study, exegesis, etc. I like to mix those up over years, months and weeks. As in, I don’t read through the whole Bible every year etc.
That’s just me and I still feel like an advanced beginner. I appreciate all of the ideas and methods. I guess I keep it very simple. I wish I could be that easy going about everything.
Jeff
Also, stop to ponder, like Mary. It’s the most important thing.