One of my favorite memories as a kid was my Mom’s homemade pizza. The slices were massive, the cheese was melted just right, and the crust was extra thick. I remember that pizza because it was made different than the other’s I’ve tasted. This pizza was actually all thin except it had a thick crust while other pizzas were either all thin or all thick. This was a combination of both that worked.
Similarly, that is how to study the Bible better. We need the right ingredients. Many times we can get confused with many ideas and get overloaded with too much. It is a lot to try and figure out. What is the best solution to studying the Bible? Should we try and complete the, “read the Bible in a year” program, or should we start with a daily devotional? Should we read the Bible fast or slow? Should we have thin or thick pizza? My answer, why not have both? Have a mixture of the two.
Have time to study the Word in small portions where you can focus on a specific verse or scripture. Then also have time where you read multiple chapters in a sitting. It is not about choosing one or the other; it is about a blending of both.
Sometimes it is good to sit down, pick a book of the Bible, and read it all the way through. For instance, the book of Ruth contains four chapters that tell the entire story. One of the best ways to understand this book is to read it through, then come back and study specific verses that stood out.
Proverbs 4:22 tells us that God’s word is “life to those who find them, and health to all their flesh.” Studying the Bible is not just for the mind, it is life to all of our flesh. Reading not only soothes the soul, it builds the body.
When we study the context, we also can study the detail. Just as there is a good mixture in baking pizza, there should also be a good combo when studying the Bible. It is this blend of context and detail that will amplify your study time.
Great blog!!