DO you read the bible?

Question

IF you do read it where is your favorite place?

Answer 1

Yes, I do.. I love all the Gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke, John.

Answer 2

Lectio Divina


Method
Lectio is typically practiced daily for one continuous hour. A selection from the Holy Scriptures is chosen ahead of time, often as a daily progression through a particular book of the Bible.


Time
Selecting a time for lectio divina is important. Typical methods are to pray for one hour in the morning, or to divide it into two half-hour periods, one in the morning and one in the evening. The key is to pre-select the time that will be devoted to the prayer, and to keep it. Using the same time every day leads to a daily habit of prayer that becomes highly effective.


Place
The place for prayer is to be free from distractions. This means it should be isolated from other people, telephones, visual distractions, etc. Some find a religious icon to be helpful. The same place should be used for lectio if possible, especially as one first begins to practice it. Familiarity with a location reduces the possibility of distraction away from the prayer. Some practitioners conduct other devotions, such as praying before the Catholic Eucharist, as a preparation for Lectio Divina.


Preparation
Prior to reading, it is important to engage in a transitional activity that takes one from the normal state of mind to a more contemplative and prayerful state. A few moments of deep, regular breathing and a short prayer inviting the Holy Spirit to guide the prayer time helps to set the tone and improve the effectiveness of the lectio.

Once the stage is set it is time to begin the prayer. There are four phases of the prayer, which do not necessarily progress in an ordered fashion. One may move between different phases of the prayer very freely as the Spirit guides.


The Four Moments

Lectio
Read the passage slowly several times.


Meditatio
Reflect on the text of the passage, thinking about how to apply to one's own life. Gravitate to any particular phrase or word that seems to be of particular import. This should not be confused with exegesis, but is a very personal reading of the Scripture and application to one's own life.


Oratio
Respond to the passage by opening the heart to God. This is not primarily an intellectual exercise, but more of the beginning of a conversation with God.


Contemplatio
Listen to God. This is a freeing oneself from one's own thoughts, both mundane and holy. It is about hearing God talk to us. Opening our mind, heart and soul to the influence of God. Any conversation must allow for both sides to communicate, and this most unfamiliar act is allowing oneself to be open to hearing God speak.

Answer 3

Yes, favorite part I Corinthians 13 (Description of Love), favorite place to read in my home and at work.

Answer 4

I don't read it as often as I used to. I have read it all the way through many times, in many versions.

My favorite place is Romans 8, which strengthens us in times of trouble, tells about our future glory and tells us how to experience that glory HERE and NOW!:
"So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. . . . You should behave instead like God's very own children, adopted into his family--calling him "Father, dear Father. . . . For we don't even know what we should pray for, nor how we should pray. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. . . . If God is for us, who can ever be against us? . . . nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Answer 5

I'm not religious, but a friend gave me a bible several years ago. I read it occasionally looking for ammunition to criticize religion. Besides, I usually read non-fiction. The bible is fiction. I kinda like Genesis, and not for what is written, but for what was not written.

Answer 6

Yes..I usually go to the gospels at random...But I have read the whole bible on my own and line by line in a 4 yr bible study, and then again contextually....I've also taught it.

Answer 7

Yes, and actually Isaiah is my favorite book. 2nd Corinthians is close behind though. I think it's beautiful whether you believe it or not --although I do read it from a Christian perspective.

Answer 8

Here at my computer table while I do almost daily scans on the computer. We
read through the Bible once a year and have for many years. We always learn
something new.

Answer 9

My favorite place is the Psalms. They usually cheer me up. I can relate to the words of the authors.

Answer 10

I love Nehemiah and Ephesians.
I also love the story of Elijah
I try to read it everyday but i dont always get there