Reading Scripture - Important or hard to do consistently?
My guess is that most followers of Jesus would not doubt the importance of reading scripture.
In the gospel of John the Word was God and the Word became flesh, the Word is Jesus. As followers of Jesus we should learn about Jesus to following him better. The scriptures are God’s word left to us for learning, teaching, etc (2 Tim 3:15-16). What better way to learn about Jesus and follow him by reading the Word in the Bible/Scriptures.
But I get a sense that this is what many followers struggle with in their journey with God, (Prayer is another on but I will not deal with that here), a consistent reading of the scriptures. Why is it so hard to pick up the Bible and read a chapter or two or seven? I think that Jesus considers reading of the scriptures important. In Matthew 22 some religious leaders ask Jesus a question about a man dies and he has seven brothers. The first response from Jesus is not to answer their question but he says, “Your mistake is that you don’t know the Scriptures…”(v 29).
Why is reading of the scriptures, which I believe that we all know is important, hard to do consistently? What hinders you? Does Steven King (or any other author of your choosing) look more interesting or distracting?
- Written by Todd Baughman
August 25th, 2008 at 9:36 pm
I think part of the reason this is challenging is because it’s difficult to read the Bible. There are very few accessible narratives contained within one or two chapters. The poetry of the Psalms is great when you’re upset, but we’re not upset all the time. Paul is just plain confusing, unless you have a really good translation. And I don’t think we know how to read it. We sit down, read some story that doesn’t match our context, insert the flannelgraph characters and costumes we remember from Sunday School, if any, and then wonder what the heck we’re supposed to take away from the text.
If we could read the Bible and EVERY time come away with some great insight, or a deep sense of peace, or even just simple comprehension and easy application to our life, we’d do it. So I think the key is that we need to learn how to read the Bible.
August 27th, 2008 at 4:15 am
I agree with Elaine. Learning how to read the Bible is essential. (We’re offering a class on that this Fall…so this is especially timely.) But I think understanding why Jesus feels it is important is necessary, too. The Bible is a primary way that God communicates with us about Himself. If we say we’re followers of Christ, then that suggests that we want to know more of Him and more about Him. The Bible is the primary tool He has provided to us for exactly that purpose.
Are there parts that are hard to understand? Of course. But, there are many that aren’t. Love your neighbor. I will never leave nor forsake you. There is no fear in love, for perfect love casts out all fear. And, even some of those harder to understand parts (can anyone say, “Revelation”?) are pretty amazing to read with any level of understanding.
Are there boring parts? (Sorry, God.) There are parts that are boring to me. Really, I usually couldn’t care less about who begat whom. But, there are parts of the Old Testament that would rival Steven King (search for Jael on Biblegateway.com) or Danielle Steel (Song of Solomon.)
I think a major key is that we never read the Bible alone. If believers are indwelt by the Holy Spirit, then as we read God’s Word, His Spirit knows what the heck it all means. He makes it possible for us to see things we’ve never noticed before, understand stuff that never made sense and make connections we’ve missed in the past. It’s not drugery; it’s adventure.