For us christians: How do u get more interested in reading the bible?

Question

it doesnt work for me to just open it in anywhere and just start reading. the old testament prophet books like (Isaiah, Nehemiah, Jeremiah, etc) are just so confusing and boring. And the new testament I just feel like Ive read it all and theres nothing left. I know Im wrong, but I dont know what to do. How can I get more interested?

If u know any links to websites that could help then add it with your answer.

Answer 1

I don't think you need any websites... My advice is looking at it as bread of life, neccessity for living. Don't start in the OT. Read 1 John first. Learn about God's love. Then read the Gospels, learn about God's plan of salvation and redemption. Then read Acts and the Pauline epistels, learn about God's plan for you through the Holy Spirit. Read the other epistles. Then tackle pieces of the old testament, once you learn to walk by the Spirit, He will tell you what to read. You'll realize that you're learning the character of God, who He really is, and you won't be able to get enough of it. I might also suggest a version such as the new living translation, although I use kjv. www.crosswalk.com has the entire Bible on their website in several translations.

Answer 2

I hear you, man. I've gone through plenty of times where I've had trouble getting interested in reading the Bible. We get comfortable in a routine and start think we know what to expect. We need to see the Bible (and maybe God) from a new perspective. I'll offer up a few thoughts:

1. It helps to read with others. This way you can get their insights, questions, opinions. That can open you to seeing the text in a new way.

2. Unfortunately, a lot of the "christian bookstore scholarship" out there is very simplistic. It tends (at least from what I've seen) not to foster the kind of intellectual curiosity and integrity that are needed to pursue a mature faith. I'm currently seeking more academic ways to study the Bible. I recommend taking a look at the Oxford or HarperCollins study Bibles. Their annotations and commentary hold up much better in academic settings. Anything by Bruce Metzger is also useful in this.

3. A while back I randomly picked up a tiny little book called Opening the Bible by Thomas Merton at a bookstore. It was a mind-blowing book that was very practical about the functions the Bible serves in our lives. There's an excerpt on Amazon if you want to take a look.

4. Most recently, I read James as part of a small group study and found it was some of my most productive Bible reading in years. James is a pretty hard-hitting book, written to Jewish Christians who were isolated and struggling after the Diaspora and the destruction of the temple. It's definitely a call to develop a mature relationship with God.

5. Lastly, sometimes we just struggle with this and can't force ourselves into being passionate. It doesn't make you any less of a Christian. God has many ways of speaking to us and will not stop his pursuit just cause we're burned out on Bible reading.

Answer 3

I know, I'm not one who can read the bible every day. I go to Mass everyday, but...

The only way I find it really rewarding is going to a bible study class. Having the interaction with other people I find really opens everything up.

I did learn a visualization technique that worked really great, it's really simple, you read part of it - then close your eyes and really try to visualize every detail as it goes along. The instructor did it for John 21:1-14 - I could almost smell the charcoal!

Now, when I read the bible, I try to take time and visualize it in the most detail I can. You'd be amazed at how well you remember the passage by doing that as well! I have to admit, I even read the bible fairly regularly now - few times a week at least.

Good luck and God bless you!

Answer 4

There are bibles out there that are layed out in a format that makes it easy to read it in a year. I know reading it straight through is tough or even trying to find a spot to start. I found a bible called: "The One Year Bible". In it you read some from the old testament, new testament, part of a psalm, and part of a proverb. It only takes 15 minutes a day. There is one for every translation. In my opinion the NLT (New Living Translation) is the easiest to understand. These One Year Bibles are put out by a company called Tysdale. Also talk to a pastor you can trust, they are a gift from God. I hope this helps.

Answer 5

For me, it's by reading sermons and/or Bible studies - even ones for kids - about the various stories in the Bible. Just the other day I was asked to lead a group of four year-olds in an activity about Joseph being sold by his brothers into slavery (Genesis 37:12-36), and so I reread the story the other day to make sure I was familiar with all the points. I ended up reading forty some pages of Genesis, completely engaged by the continuation of this one story.

Then today in church a visiting pastor gave a sermon on depression, using Elijah as an example for the various dimensions of depression and possible reactions (the story is in 1 Kings 18-19). I realized then how much one can draw from such a story, beyond the actual historical and Biblical details and implications. It makes me want to read through and analyze other stories in the Bible, gleaning similar insights and information from them as I have been shown with this one story as an example.

When you look the to the Scriptures as engaging plots and stories full of advice and insight, it makes you more eager (I think) to read them. I think that's particularly helpful when reading the Old Testament, as it can seem so inapplicable at times and boring at others...

Hope this helps some!!

Oh, and another helpful pointer: I would recommend a good Study Bible (an Application Study Bible is even better!!). A friend bought me a really nice one, and I just love it when I feel like getting wrapped up in the Word of God. There are verses that I might otherwise pass by because I'm too dense or rushed to realize the full impact of them, but whose implications are unpacked for me in footnotes as well as additional texts that relate verses in one book and/or compare them to others...it's quite nice!! I've included a link to amazon for the Bible that I personally have, and would recommend that you buy a similar one. There are so many times when I've read through a chapter and then reread it, reading the footnotes as well, only to discover that there was so much more to be gained from the verses than I had originally realized. It's invigorating. And definitely worth the money.

Answer 6

I start reading on things that are relevant in my life. If I am stressed I read about how God is in control. If I am dating I read up on how to have a Godly relationship. If I am in lack of anything I read up on how God will provide all of my needs.( I usually look up key words in the back of my bible then turn to the passages it point out) This usually leads me to reading even more about stuff that may not be related to what I am going thru at the time but I find interesting anyways because i read the verses surrounding the passage I was looking for. It may even actually end up being helpful once I finish reading it. Pray to God about where he wants to direct you. He won't mislead you or let you down!

Answer 7

Read up on the history of the bible, how it has been modified many times, and over 90 % of the original gospels were thrown away, leaving only a few. Read up on how the whole bible is just "out of context". After this, tell me if it is worth reading at all.

Answer 8

pray & ask god to help u understand the bible.
ask god also to make it more understanding & interesting to you.
it may be the type of holy bible u r reading.
if u r a teen , get a good teenager bible,
if u r not, get a good study bible with a concordance. that will help u out alot too.
if u go to the internet, type in holy bible,
the king james version & it will help you.
read the book of Psalms. that one always interests me.
buy some other christian books, go to the christian bookstore.
i have the same problem too. i buy daily devotional books they really help me out.
but pray, god will answer your prayer about reading. pray that god give u a new fire/desire to read the word, & to understand what u r reading. he'll help u out, trust me he will.it could be your attitude re: reading too. ask god to give u a different view on reading, change your attitude. give u a positive attitude for reading, not negative.

Answer 9

The best way I have found is a good study manual where experts have studied the old way of speech and the original writing to come up with the true meaning of what was written then have explained it in a way we can understand now like those people did when it was written back in the biblical times.

Answer 10

Start by becoming more familiar with the OT, or NT by reading a textbook on a OT survey or NT survey. Learn the customs and culture of the time period you want to study first. It will not only be more interesting, but will help you understand some things that are hard to understand. It will also help you to more confident in your teaching.