5 Dos and Don’ts Reading the Bible
5 Dos and Don’ts Reading the Bible. The idea of this is to encourage the proper study of the Scriptures every day. It is very important to fill the mind with heavenly things to stay as far away from temptations as possible. And most importantly to equip us with the freedom to choose to do the will of God whenever we are presented with the opportunity. The Scriptures help us to understand who God is, what he wants but most importantly what he wants from me right here and now.
So, let us dig in:
1. Read the Bible every day. Do not go a day without reading anything from scripture.
This goes without saying: if we are working hard towards holiness, this is one of the key habits to develop. Obviously, you want to know God better and follow him more closely, which is why you are here.
2. Read with the intention of meeting God, not to fight or disprove someone/something:
The Bible contains God’s words. This is amazing news for us! Think about it, we do not have to speculate or wonder who God is, he has come to live with us on earth, gives us his body and blood in Holy Communion, and has left his word in Scripture so that we are NEVER alone!
3. Read slowly and prayerfully, do not be in a hurry.
Building on the last point, this encounter with Jesus is a wonderful thing. So savor it, appreciate it, and give thanks for it. Do not be in a hurry. Better to read a verse with great love and devotion than to skim through a whole chapter with no decorum. So, even if you are in a noisy place, collect yourself before readying God’s word.
4. Read with the Church, do not study alone:
The Bible can be simple when proper contexts are understood. This is why I recommend reading bible commentaries from time to time. Mostly to shed more light on the meanings of each part of the scripture. Go for a Catholic Bible translation. Usually, the bigger ones have good commentaries, or better still download a Catholic bible app on your phone.
5. Stop if you get confused. Don’t hurry to reach the end:
I think we can glean this point from what has been said but for the sake of emphasis let’s say it again. Read the Bible prayerfully and slowly. If you get stuck or confused, browse about the point and appeal to Catholic sources for clarity. This is why I recommend a small portion of Scripture so that you can take your time studying it.
