Reading the Bible

Getting ready:

• Find a comfy spot with good light

• Set aside any distractions from the day

• Pick a translation you can understand

• Have a notebook to hand to jot down your thoughts

Choosing what to read:

• Use the passages from the Sunday service or Morning Prayer

• Try reading through a gospel or a letter in the New Testament

• Pick a famous life story from the Old Testament - Joseph (Genesis 37, 39-50); David (1 Samuel 16 to 2 Samuel); Ruth; Jonah; Esther; Job

• Read a psalm

Reading the text:

• Listen
  Read the passage and listen for a word or phrase that attracts you.
  Sit in silence repeating the word or phrase in your head.
  Say the word or phrase aloud.

• Ponder
  Read the passage again and ask why this word or phrase has connected with you.
  Ponder it carefully.
  Sit in silence and then frame a single sentence that begins to say aloud what this word or phrase says to you.

• Pray
  Read the passage for the last time and ask what it is that you need to do or consider or relinquish or take on as a result of what God is saying to you.
  In the silence, pray for the grace of the Spirit to plant this word in your heart.

Prayers in the Bible:

• A prayer for blessing – 1 Chronicles 4:10

• A prayer for protection – Psalm 91

• A prayer of worship – Psalm 8

• A prayer of repentance – Psalm 139:23-34

Scripture Union has some more advice on reading the Bible.