Do You Struggle to Read the Bible? (Part 1)

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I get it – the book itself is massive and it’s sometimes difficult to know where to start, but start you must. This book is no ordinary book. I often joke and say it should have a label saying “WARNING: This book will seriously wreck your life”. Of course I mean in a good way.

Before I read it, life was pretty comfortable and sweet and then this book opened up a whole other world of possibilities. Who knew that walking on water was a thing, that sickness being healed could happened and that the dead being raised was even an option?

In can often create an uncomfortable gap between what we read and what we experience – but the point of this post is that I want to inspire you to read it.

What’s below is conglomeration of notes and thoughts from a few books that would be worth reading at some point: How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth, The Celebration of Discipline and Lead Like Jesus

Why even bother?

I have heard it said that the bible is like a manual, and I agree to a point. The problem with that – who actually reads a manual right? We prefer to try first and if all else fails then we go check the instructions. So thinking of it as a manual doesn’t appeal to me personally, but even if you only ever view it as manual for life, it will prove itself useful. God, the author of life has the beta on what it’s all about so His words about life will definitely help point you in the right direction.

I get more excited when I think of the bible as an invitation. The bible is an invitation into a conversation with God. Conversation is how all relationships are built and scripture is God’s side of conversation with you.

The Bible is an invitation into a conversation with God

This book is profitable (but only if you read it).

Ways That You Can Build the Habit of Studying the Bible..

(These headings are taken from Lead Like Jesus: Ken Blanchard & Phil Hodges and I found it super helpful.)

1. Listening

In early tradition, scripture was heard as opposed to read. Jesus talked a lot about hearing the word, and in the Parable of the Sower (Matt 13:1-23, Mark 4:1-20, Luke 8:4-15) He presents four different scenarios as to what happens when the word (the seed) is heard (sown). Hearing the word was how the early church engaged.

There is something different and unique about listening to scripture and often I hear it differently to when I simply read it. Listening to the Gospels and listening to the words of Jesus bring a new dynamic to his words.

So if you’ve never thought about listening to the bible, here’s some ideas to get you going.

  1. Sermons, Podcasts
    • (listen to good bible teachers who actually open and teach from the bible – who knew that preaching without it was a thing!)
  2. Audiobible
    • I love YouVersion for this. Pick a translation with an audio option, hit play and off you go. Reading as you listen helps maintain focus.
    • Tip – you can change the reading speed by selecting the sound icon (x1.5 is my preferred), their set normal speed seems a little slow.
  3. Visual listening
    • There are some fab dramas and movies out there that bring the bible to life.
    • A current TV series, that I just have to get in this post is The Chosen. Highly recommend that you watch this, it will make the bible come alive and genuinely get you excited about reading the New Testament.

With everything Bible related though, like the parable of the sower, it’s all about what you do having heard. This is a book that is supposed to be lived and that’s what makes it truly special.

Read Part 2 Here: Reading and Memory Work

Read Part 3 Here: Studying and Meditating

A New normal in Isolation

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Like the rest of the world, the last fortnight I’ve been desperate to find a new rhythm. I find myself in a weird space, in one way some things have slowed pace and yet other things have sped up dramatically.

I’ve tried to stick to my usual weekly schedule – although all my gatherings have moved online. It’s been great for keeping some sort of normal – college, MOPS gatherings, connect groups and church are all still events I’m still attending in some shape or form. This really helps keep me focused on life outside our 4 walls.

Here’s some daily things I’ve had to put in place to make it all work and stay sane in the process. I thought it may be of use to someone out there. *Disclaimer – I am learning as I go.

Any extra tips or things you are doing that can influence my world – I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments. We’re all in this together.

My daily routine

  • Morning Devotions

Before everyone gets up or it doesn’t happen and the day disappears. This really does set me up in a good way for the day ahead.

You version Bible Reading Plan

You Version

Lectio 365 (recent addition – loving this app).

Lectio 365 from 24/7 Prayer

  • Coffee (& Jesus)

  • Morning with kids.

The rule is they have to be fully dressed before coming downstairs (sports gear for PE with Joe Wickes) PE with Joe

Treatments and Medications for my little CF’er go hand in hand with breakfast routine (it’s a busy morning and slightly calmer that we don’t have to be out the door having done all this for 7:45am).

  • School

I need to remind myself constantly that I facilitate this. I have learned quickly I am a terrible teacher. This is an intense 3 hours with 3 kids doing 3 different things.

Some websites have saved my sanity:

BBC Bitesize (all ages UK curriculum)

Twinkl

Top Marks Maths Games

Corbett Maths Videos

If you have found any cool sites – let me know. 

  • Free study

(I need this space to do my own college work – praise the Lord I have my own SHEDQUARTERS to do this)

  • Daily walk

Depending on the mood in the house this can happen at any given time. If it’s getting tense – the walk has to happen.

  • Lunch and dinner

We’re trying to make this a family affair in terms of contribution. Home economics lessons that serve the purpose of feeding us. Each kid gets a night to pick menu and help cook.

  • Free time R&R

People are my tank fillers. So social isolation is not the best thing for me. So I’ve tried to recreate my social time online with my people using the help of a few social platforms.

FaceTime (I like seeing faces).

House Party: does what it says on the tin and allows people in your room to play games like quick draw and heads up. 

Zoom

Epic experience this weekend celebrating a friends birthday and doing a quiz over zoom.

  • Family fun

On school days it seems stressful, like we’ve worked all day. We gotta still do fun. That has looked mostly like movies and board games.

  • Wind Down and Bed

In a small house it’s super hard to get ‘me’ time. I’m mainly an extrovert and don’t need a whole lot of ‘me’ space – but half an hour with no one needing anything from me is essential.

I’m fairly good at knowing my needs but poor at asking for help (Enneagram 2 🙌🏻).  Check out Your Enneagram Coach.  I do think I’m growing at this, and this confinement is perfecting that for sure.

I am also really aware that this season is for slowing down. Granted it seems forced. But I feel like it’s a chance to reset. To focus on what truly matters. So this moment is a chance to do just that. To invest and sow into a different future. Life with 3 kids is busy – but I’m so aware that this isolation is a beautiful chance to invest in our family life like never before. We get to do this.  I want to guard it.

This talk below is worth a listening. Bill Johnson says it way better than I could.

So I would love to know……

How are you getting on?

All tips welcome here.