I'm having trouble reading scriptures... Advice?

Question

I keep trying to read it, and I keep finding myself pages away from the last place I understood. I am not even moving on it.

I am usually a very very good reader- yet I'm not even 'reading' it, I'm just turning pages.

Answer 1

Are you having difficulty with the language of the Bible? Perhaps you need a more modern translation, one you can read with greater ease.

Are you reading in an environment conducive to prayerful thought and reflection? Or are you distracted by noise and commotion around you? If so, you need to find a quieter place.

Or are you just reading words and not the spirit behind them? Do you try to enter into the story, to see and feel it as if it were happening to you? Do you open your mind and heart to the meaning the passage has for your own life?

You may also be hampered by a lack of knowledge of bible history, of the time and culture in which each book was written. This can be remedied through reading and research using other reliable sources of information.

I hope this helps you to benefit more from your reading of Scripture!

Answer 2

I partially agree with Barbie above, Read the Gospel of John first. Then read Genesis and Exodus. Then skip Leviticus, Numbers and Deteronomy and start again with Joshua. Go right on thru Judges and First and Second Samuel. Skip 1&2 Kings and Chronicles . Start again with Ezra Nehemiah and Esther. Skip Job Then start reading the Psalms and Matthew at the same time until you have completed both Pslams and all the New Testament except Revelation. Then Read Daniel,
Zechariah and Revelation. Then I would go back and read Proverbs and Song of Soloman. And Then I would start again at Genesis and read the whole bible completely thru in order not skipping anything. God bless you for reading your Bible . Keep at it and you will find that God will reveal more and more truth to you as you continue reading his word. You also might want to join a Bible study which can help you focus more on what you are reading.

Answer 3

You need a new perspective on what the Bible is saying. One thing is that the Old Testament is history, myth, fable and a very unbiblical recalling of the old ways.
Concentrate on the New Testament, the Story of Jesus. Notice in the Parable about the group of people who were about to stone the woman who who was accused of being a prostitute or adulterous.
Jesus stands between the would be stone throwers and the woman, and Jesus says, He among you who is without sin, should cast the first stone. What this statement does to the men is turn their critical eye inward at themselves and their own actions in life.
And when the men look inward, they know that they have also sinned, so they turn and head for home without casting, or blaming, the woman for her weakness and vulnerability when she and her children are in need.
Jesus is teaching that all humans are vulnerable to sin and even give into it at times.
I am not suggesting that we all commit murder, but we do all sin at times. And then we must repent, or change our ways. Read the last verses of the Jesus story, and try to figure out why Jesus calls out just before he dies in his finally words, "Why haste you abandoned me?" Why, who and how did Jesus come to feel that he had been abandoned?
In fact I will ask this question of the Answers Group and we can share the wisdom of the many.

Answer 4

Get a good study bible in modern English with a good concordance and a dictionary and maps. Do not try to absorb too much. Read for a reason. For instance, you might want to read Acts first, to get the overall story of the early church, before you read the Pauline Epistles, then read them in the context of the places he wrote to and visited and what their particular issues were. Third, read for doctrinal content.

Don't try to study the bible from beginning to end. Start with the Book of John and learn who Jesus really is. Next study the other three Gospels, then read Genesis and Exodus with the purpose of finding the types and shadows of Christ in them. If you do this prayerfully, a whole new appreciation for God and His Son Jesus Christ and His plan of Salvation and how you fit in will open up to you.

Answer 5

I would find it difficult to know what the problem is without asking you a lot of questions.

Let me suggest you read the Bible by reading a whole book at a time. I would suggest you start with the book of Mark which is a biography of Jesus. Start in chapter one and read it thru to the end.

I not suggesting reading it in one sitting, but if school has not started, you could actually read it thru in in a very short period of time. About an hour and 15 minutes.

Take notes as your read, just like you would if you are reading a book for school.

Write down the names of each person mentioned, each miracle, each time the scene changes.

Then when you are done, re-read your notes.

The link below contains a link where you can listen to the book of Mark thru your computer's speakers. You could even download it to your IPOD.

Pastor Art

Answer 6

I sent you a personal e-mail with sound advice on researching the Scriptures to satisfaction. It may take years to learn, as you will have to struggle against previous indoctrination to find the truth, but the search is worth it.
If you pray to God, in Jesus name for understanding, and show by trying that you mean it, you will be given the truth.

Answer 7

read them just in case u want to read them , dont force ur self to do it , at time that u think u love to read them , then go ahead and read them slowly since u dont have to finnish a certain number of pages , just read and when u have enough stop

-- what kind of scriptures are they , if u mean the bible i think i can help more than this , i just didnt included religious things , bcz i dont know what are the kind :)

good luck ;)

Answer 8

Many hands went into the writing of this book, guided by the unseen hand.It is written so a little child can understand it. A little child of God .

Answer 9

If scripture seems distant, don't fuss over it. The indwelling Holy Spirit will teach your spirit what you need even if your consciousness is having trouble understanding. Also, try praying to God that the Holy Spirit would open up the scripture to you - He will, in His time.

Love,
JAS

Answer 10

Try reading John first. It will ground you in understanding and help you understand the rest. Stay out of the OT till you have read ALL the NT.
God bless.