Is Bible Reading Important?

i honesly dont think you will have any one say no ,we dont realy need to read the bible

we do verry much

but even that bible say exort one another dayliy

that where washer
ravenhill tozer
wilkinson
conlon
you
me
all come into the equation
the list
will go
on
and
on
some men excel in the gift of exortation an teaching

Well, I have a question for you.

When you started dating your wife/girlfriend (depending on if your married) what was one of the first things you did? First dates generally are a game of 20 questions between the two individuals so they can learn more about each other. God gave us His Word which in reality is Himself expressed so that We may know Him in a real way.

I have been married for 3 years now almost 4 in October and I still don't know everything about my wife and so each day is an adventure into the person known as my wife. We must do the same with the Word of God on our own so that we can meet with God and ask about Him and learn from Him. Though preaching and teaching from men is okay its still second hand information why get second hand information with possible human error and human doctrine and opinion when you can go the Word which the Lord has given us and learn and forn your own relationship with the Lord.

Not to mention there are so many promises in the Word of God that are important to know for your personal walk with the Lord.

Is reading the Bible Salvation? No, no amount of bible reading will save you BUT bible reading strengthens our Faith and Hope in Christ Jesus telling us the many promises of God. Not to mention when you truly come into contact with Christ, you will fall deeply in Love with the Saviour and Lord and you will WANT to learn more. So is it required for salvation, no but Why wouldn't we its the most amazing story ever told?

Or imagine a father that didn't ever express his love to his children, many father that don't leave their kids wondering while Christ Jesus gave us His word so we know without a shadow of doubt He is a Loving God.

i wouldnt god as far as dergrading preaching to seconed hand and just ok

what does the bible say about preaching

that through the fooishness of that method ,men get saved

so preaching is verry important in evaglisim

paul said he was eger to preach the gosple to them that were in roam

he comanded timothey mto preach te gosplle on season and out of season

he didnt just say timothy get them to just read my letters and read the old tesaent

anoited teaching and preaching is ordained by god in his word ,and is not some sceoned hand method

but you you brothers have said all that

i received my new birth ,from read the bible

so im not trying to lessen the inportance of the writtern word of god , it is our fondation of truth

but god has gifted some to expound and define this preious gift to me and you

made a realy bad typo ,,i ment to say

four lines from the end of my post

but you know brothers having said all that i recieved my new birth from reading the bible

Ah you are correct Preaching isn't second hand or second rate, in terms of evangelism I apologize for that statement, but in terms of learning about God I found it more profitable to simply go to the source ie the Word than to listen to a man speak about the word. Both are profitable, I will note it wasn't preaching that was foolishness but what they were preaching that was foolishness Christ Jesus cruxified for the salvation of the World.

2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

John 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

John 15:26 But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:

John 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

Ga 1:12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Ga 2:2 And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain.
Eph 1:17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:
Eph 3:3 How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words,
1Pe 1:13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
Re 1:1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:

Revelation will never outake anything that is not in the Word of God, that is why it is so important to study the Word of God and that is when the Holy Spirit will teach and give revelation of Jesus Christ and where is is now. In the believer, new birth, born again into Gods Kingdom, son's of God and fellow heirs with Jesus CHrist to the Fathers House where Jesus is preparing a place for us.

All truth comes from the Word of God and the Holy Spirit reveals this truth to those that are born again and have the Spirit of Christ in them as their new life, The Holy Spirit teacher of this new life and revelation of "Christ in you the hope of glory". Colossians 1:27-29 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus: Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily. This is our perfection revealed by the Word and power of the Holy Spirit to make the Word alive and real in the believer.

In Christ by the Word and revelation: Phillip

When I read the WORD,
I am challenged in my spirit;
many times I feel real delight and joy;
most of the time I experience a growing awareness of the majesty of God.
No other piece of lit has the capability of evoking such intense emotion,
it teaches my mind,
expands my intellect..
all the while evoking so much praise for my God.
He is an awesome God!
Actually, the WORD is like a love letter from God to his creation!

I try and make it a practice to read everyday for as long as time permits, As to how much one spends in the Word is up to them but from my own practice I meditate on what I read throughout the whole day trying to apply the truth in the scripture to my everyday living.

The Word of God should be studied indepth and shouldn't be treated at light reading as if reading the morning newspaper or a good novel. I avoid commentaries and try to form my own thoughts on the scripture before I ever consider looking at a commentary. I sit down with the Word with a pen and paper, ask for guidance from the Holy Spirit and away I go.

Generall what I find I try and share on here when I can, not to act as a teacher but because I respect many of you and your feedback is always appreciated and your correction is even more appreciated. Iron sharpening Iron.

The WORD OF GOD - THE BIBLE is our food, is our life. How would we know who He is, what He commands on how to live without His Word? This is the most important to know. For many reasons listed below. But for me it is to know His Word so I may not sin. It is my food -daily food- lest I die from starvation, it is so I can have an answer for anyone asking, so the Holy Spirit can convict me and keep me on the straight & narrow road etc.

Praise His Holy Name we have His Words to meditate upon daily.

Everything else by godly men and women is extra. It is their relationship with God almighty and beautiful ones at that. But they too had to be listening, eating, meditating on the WORD of God.

Mat 4:4 But He answered and said, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.' "

Psalm 17:4 Concerning the works of men, By the WORD of Your lips, I have kept away from the paths of the destroyer.

Psalm 119:11 Your WORD I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You.

Psalm 119:42 So shall I have an answer for him who reproaches me, For I trust in Your WORD.

Psalm 119:43 And take not the WORD of truth utterly out of my mouth, For I have hoped in Your ordinances.

Psalm 119:74 Those who fear You will be glad when they see me, Because I have hoped in Your WORD.

Psalm 119:101 I have restrained my feet from every evil way, That I may keep Your WORD.

Psa 138:2 I will worship toward Your holy temple, And praise Your Name For Your lovingkindness and Your truth; For You have magnified Your WORD above all Your Name.

Do we really need to eat food? The Bible is more important than that.
Mat 4:4 But He answered and said, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.' "

Martyr,

I love books, particularly theological books. I used to spend much time reading books. However, a man once challenged me by saying that we should spend more time reading the Bible than any other book. Although my first thought was, "That's impossible!", it sure made me think a lot... Later, another man of God pointed the fact that "much studying wearies the body..." (Ecclesiastes 12:12) God was dealing with me very patiently.

Today, I recognize all the more my need for the Word of God, quickened by the Spirit of God. (We should never separate the two) I need it for washing, I need it for life, I need it for communion with God, I need it for sanctification.

I cannot even begin to share how much God has blessed me through His Word! Because of His Word (quickened by the Spirit), I...:
1. ...live
2. ...see
3. ...grow
4. ...overcome
5. ...love
6. ...care
7. ...change
8. ...have great hope

Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her, that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her BY THE WASHING OF WATER IN THE WORD, so that He might present the church to Himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.
(Ephesians 5:25-27)

I praise God for His Word, both revealed and made flesh among us. What a joy that though God is beyond us, He chose to reveal Himself to us! Hallelujah!

your right mgulder it wasnt the acaly the method ,but the message

ilike to medatate on the word wile i work

through audio

some times ,for say two or three hours ,i will go over and over the same scripture or maby ill go over two or three places in the bible like the lettere to the epesians
the first half of the herbrews ,,,and say for or fave chapters of acts

and i will go over and over and over for three hours

then i might listen to sermon for an our or two

i try to do that five days a week

depending on the pace of the work im doing

god defenetly speaks through his word that way to me

but some days i might just listen to 3 or more hours of sermons and less of the bible,,depending on how im felling led at the time ,,

one thing iv noticed ,is that doing the reptavive hearing of his word ,,my mind seems to keep it in my memory and you can remember whole chapters somtimes

espesial if the bible reading is done with passion and and in the spirit ,,,,,

i nomaly record my own bible readings on a little digatle recorder,,,,,,,,,,,,,iv found tihs to be a great way to medatate on the word

i also read my bible in the afternoons
and do bible readings with my wife , and short weak comantarys for her

Amen! Scripture also says in Rev. 1:3,"Blessed is he that readeth"(referring to the Scriptures). That verse pretty well sums it all up.

Yes, bible reading is important.

(simple question, simple answer)

Ok. You have shared from your hearts the importance of reading the word. But how much time should one spend in the word? Is there a difference in reading and studying the word? Do you need commentarirs?

There is a difference, and all are important.

How much time? I am not sure the question is the right one. I think the reading and study of the word should be viewed as a lifestyle rather than a segmented part of the day. Its a bit like asking how much time I should spend sleeping or working out?

Read for knowledge. Read for revelation. Read for inspiration. God wants to speak to you from His word. Study for the same reasons.

Reading, however, usually takes the form of seeing the passages as a whole. For example, you might make the book of Ephesians a reading assignment and read it once or twice a day for a month or two until you have the flow of the book almost memorized. As you do this God may begin to speak to you about several things in that book. Study is the dissection of that thing God is quickening to you and you might use a lot of tools to do that. I am not really big on commentaries although they can be helpful. I use lexicons much more often. Study is also the tying in of concepts in Ephesians with related passages throughout scripture. For example there is much commentary to Eph. 4 to be found in 1 Cor. 12-14 and vice verse.

Twayneb,

You wrote, "Read for knowledge. Read for revelation. Read for inspiration".

I would also add, "Read for interaction. Read for transformation."

What a blessing to have the living word in our hands! In many countries, when Christians are imprisoned, they have no access to the Bible. Then, they must rely on what they have committed to memory. I'm amazed that some can memorize so quickly. If we have the option between watching TV or memorizing the Word, how could we in our right minds not go for the soul-nourishing Word of God? Maybe we need the heat turned up a little...

In Christ,
Renoncer

Reading the book of Jude for six months straight every morning, praying through every word, pouring over its every nuance of meaning and attempting to memorize it changed my life forever. I once was going down a road in my life that could have lead me into being one who "turned the grace of God into lasciviousness." But praise God His word is living and active and cut straight through the veil of flesh straight to the Spirit. I saw myself for what I was, in the light of who Jesus was. I have never been the same since. Praise Jesus. And thank God for his brother in deed who left us with such a dramatic epistle.

I have heard it said that if you take a book of the Bible like Ephesians or Colossians and read it through once or twice a day for a month, much of that book will stick with you. Does this really work? Any testimonies here?

Yes, I use to make it a practice to read the Sermon on the Mount at least once a day and it has had great effect on how I see things, it also is in my brain constantly and so it is a constant witness of the Truth for me which to me is its greatest benefit.

Perhaps something I found better than reading something repeated was really trying to soak in the message the book as to offer, a lot of the times when I could really understand what the Author was trying to say it unlocks the rest of the book for me and sticks quite well.

I just started Professor Grant Homer's Bible Reading System that Tony Miano has posted on On The Box at onthebox.us. I needed a boost in my Bible reading. This system has helped me tremendously ! I am on day 10. You read 10 chapters a day, taking 1 chapter from each list of the system. There are 10 list. I have told some people at our church about it. One sister read 30 chapters in one day. Bible reading is very important in a balanced Christian life.

Wow I love this thread! Just reading through these posts I'd already gained ideas for my own bible reading.

I remember 'bibline blood' was the term that Charles Spurgeon used to illustrate the passion that Bunyan had for the Word of God.

"... it is blessed to eat into the very soul of the Bible until, at last, you come to talk in Scriptural language, and your very style is fashioned upon Scripture models, and, what is better still, your spirit is flavoured with the words of the Lord. I would quote John Bunyan as an instance of what I mean. Read anything of his, and you will see that it is almost like reading the Bible itself... Prick him anywhere; and you will find that his blood is Bibline, the very essence of the Bible flows from him. He cannot speak without quoting a text, for his soul is full of the Word of God.’" (~ Charles H. Spurgeon)

Another good question:

Is acting upon the Word important?

Luk 8:15 But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, KEEP IT (do it), and bring forth fruit with patience.

Reading is good, doing (Acting on the Word) is better.

Mike

Obeying His word is part of a balanced Christian's life, also. We apply to our life what we read from His Word. Many profess Christ, but they don't possess Him. They don't obey His word because they neglect to read the Bible. Reading and obeying go hand and hand.

I have been following this thread off and on. I am grateful for all the things shared here. I just thought I would drop in to share my experiences. I do feel reading the Bible is important but I don't feel its a chore, duty, or obligation. There have been times when the LORD has led me to read nothing but the Word and then there are times when HE has led me to listen or read teaching from others HE has given understanding too. For a long while I was reading through the book of Romans and spent time trying to understand and gain deeper understand but some of it just seemed to confuse me until GOD led me to listen to this teaching from a brother in CHRIST. AS I read the book of Romans and read through the teaching together, suddenly the very things I had been praying about were becoming clear. I just love how GOD gives us one another to share with and help point one another toward JESUS. On many occasion GOD has used some of the teaching here on SI to speak to me and grow me in my walk with HIM. I am learning that there are times when I may not see or fully understand scripture but then GOD will use another brother or sister to help me have greater understanding. And I am learning to be open for those times when HE might also give me words to speak and share with another and not allow fear or shyness get in the way. I just love how GOD in HIS awesomeness gives us the HOLY SPIRIT, the Bible, and each other to help us in this journey until we come home to be with HIM, (smile)

God bless
maryjane

some good things in here about biblereading https://www.sermonindex.net/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?mode=viewtopic&topic_id=15692&forum=36&start=0&viewmode=flat&order=0

I am one who listens to the bible mainly and then reads it on my mobile phone as I can use my greek and hebrew lexicon and commentaries on that passage

My problem used to be I read the bible to quickly I would read whole books in a day. I can read commentaries in a day.
I can sometimes find this a hindrance.

i listen to the bible wherever i go or christian music. I think it was george muller got through the bible something like 365 times in his life.

There was one time in my house that my non christian collegues used to nick my bibles. Some people think that a new bible is not a well read bible. As working in the christian bookshop I would pick up bible for like £4.99 or even 1.99 so I got use to giving my bible away.

I mean I wish i could understand greek and hebrew, as I can read it so I could understand the bible more. I have been through the bible in many different versions but my mind is so dumb that it cannot understand hebrew and greek.

The bible I find like the universe the more you know you realise that people have done entire studies say on one verse and type it in and find sermons concerning that verse and then get on my knees and then look through the commentaries to see the others throughout history who have been on there knees and written commentaries.

It is like the more you know the less you know. I barely scratch the cosmic space dust of the mass universe of material that is out there.

Trying to find out everything from an Archalogical, Theological and from great revivalist to great man of prayer on the verses we have read. Yet the author himself we need to know from aswell.

The bible as David Guzik becomes alive I love it as he says it as a movie playing in his mind, that it is how to me.
Trying to understand the grueling journeys of paul and the amazing miracles from the battle of jericho.
Then realising the implications of scripture on my life and application in todays world.

The fights that people have had from the early church fathers to the reformers to different movements on theology and bible verses.

I wish I could express my dumbness in the amazing men of history and the bible that comes to life when we read it and the tiny scratch that i know.

It is interesting to note that when Martin Luther could not find peace, his confessor finally said to read the Bible and pray. It was the best advise he could give. He finally found forgiveness through Jesus Christ alone. Read and pray...