Reading plans can be deceptive.
Why?
Because oftentimes they fail to take one thing into account, pace.
Each chapter of the Bible is filled with such richness. If you read the Bible like a fiction novel, you are bound to miss something important. As we run the race that we’ve been given, we can’t afford to make a mistake, especially when the instructions are right in front of us.
Why does pace matter?
Ephesians 5:15-17 says,
15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
Ephesians 5:15-17 ESV
We are instructed to examine our ways and use our time wisely. When we need advice, we go to the subject matter expert. We don’t go to the mechanic and ask how to manage our finances better. So why do we go to the world to teach us how to live a godly life? Reading the Bible is one way that we understand what the will of the Lord is, it gives us instructions on how to live rightly before God. If we rush through the instructions, we risk misinterpreting the will and promises of God. Life is fleeting, we can’t afford to waste time due to user error.
Here are a few tips to help set your pace for studying the Word of God:
Don’t Hurry – If you see reading the Bible as an opportunity to dwell in the word instead of a task to check off of your to-do list, you will slow down and savor every verse.
Repetition – Read each passage again. Sometimes repetition allows you to see something you didn’t see the first few times.
Read Aloud – Reading out loud forces you to slow down. As you speak the words, they become easier to recall (think memorization).
Minimize Skipping – Each verse, each chapter, and each book has a purpose. There are lessons to be learned on every single page of the Bible. When you skip from page to page looking for verses to patch a wound, You miss out on true healing from the story of redemption in its entirety.
Write it Down – Write down your observations. Make note of people, places, actions… Even transitional words like if, but, and therefore can give insight into the conditions of the promises of God. Ex: So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
Putting Things into Perspective…
When we slow down and take time to savor the Bible, we are in the perfect position for revelation. We find ourselves hungering to get back to the pages… Thirsting for deeper draws from the wells of wisdom.
Don’t Rush. Dwell.
Got a tip on how to pace yourself for Bible study? Share in the comments below 👇🏾👇🏽👇🏿👇🏾
Think about/research context.
Who wrote the book you’re reading?
What was happening during that time?
What section of the Bible is the book/chapter in?For me, giving myself space to understand the context of what i’m reading helps me interpret and understand the verses better.
I really enjoy using the very old method of Lectio Divina, (Devine Reading) Its a great way to slow down when reading the Bible, especially as a group.