This is part 4 of 5 in the Unlocking the Bible sermonlink series. Find this and other pursueGOD.org sermons on YouTube here.

Did you know that Christians haven’t always had access to Bible? During the Dark Ages, average Christians probably never saw a Bible in their own language! Yet in America today we have multiple Bibles in our homes that we take for granted and don’t read. In this topic, let’s fix that problem and get you the most out of your Bible in just five steps.

Step #1: Read It

Here’s a habit you can start even today: just read the Bible, even for five minutes a day. Read it carefully and attentively. Read it for understanding, but also to meet God and hear from him. Try a reading plan. Take notes as you read and ask good questions.

Reading scripture was a requirement that God put on kings in ancient Israel.

Deut 17:18-20 When he sits on the throne as king, he must copy for himself this body of instruction on a scroll in the presence of the Levitical priests. 19He must always keep that copy with him and read it daily as long as he lives. That way he will learn to fear the Lord his God by obeying all the terms of these instructions and decrees.

Today, reading the Bible isn’t a privilege reserved for kings. Every pursuer of God can make it a daily habit.

Step #2: Meditate on It

To take your Bible reading to next step, learn to meditate – that is, to deliberately ponder on a passage of scripture. Take what you read and internalize it. Turn it into a prayer. Try reciting it word for word. Scripture meditation helps biblical concepts to penetrate your thinking and attitude.

Moses gave Joshua this advice before giving him leadership over the nation of Israel:

Joshua 1:8 Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so that you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.

What was true in Joshua’s day is still true for us today. Careful meditation on the word of God will bring us a rich and satisfying life.

[Related: The Bible as Jewish Meditation Literature | How to Read the Bible #4]

Step #3: Memorize It

In order to meditate, it helps to memorize scripture. Anyone can memorize; in fact, we do it all the time! Do you know your address? How about your phone number? How much more valuable is God’s Word? That’s why the writer of Proverbs challenged his readers to memorize:

Prov 7:2-3 Obey my commands and live! Guard my instructions as you guard your own eyes. Tie them on your fingers as a reminder. Write them deep within your heart.

[Related: What Is a Simple Way to Memorize Scripture?]

Step #4: Study It

There is a lot of overlap between the steps above, and this one is no exception. To “study” God’s Word is to give it a more careful and deliberate effort than reading. It’s when you dig deeper into the meaning and examine the details. Try thinking more carefully about how the passage fits into the Bible as a whole or even your life. In the early church, the Bereans were praised for this.

Acts 17:11 The people of Berea were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica, and they listened eagerly to Paul’s message. They searched the Scriptures day after day to see if Paul and Silas were teaching the truth.

Today there are myriads of tools for studying the Bible, but the simplest place to start is a quality study Bible.

[Related: 5 Bible Study Tips for Rookies]

Step #5: Apply It

The biggest danger in Bible study is that you stuff your head with truth, but it never changes your life. There are brilliant Bible scholars who study the Bible at a high academic level but don’t even know God. You can know lots of Bible without really being mature in your faith. That’s why we can’t stop at Bible study. If you want to get the most out of the Bible, don’t just read or memorize it or even study it. Apply it to your everyday life.

James 1:22 But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.

There will always be obstacles that will keep you from reading and applying your Bible. But remember: the power and wisdom of the Bible take shape in our lives when we make the effort to learn it and live it. Unlock the Bible in your own life, and connect with a group or mentor to share what you’re learning and dig deeper into a whole-hearted pursuit of God.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Watch the video together or invite someone to summarize the topic.
  2. How many Bibles do you have in your home? How many of them have you opened in the last year?
  3. Read Joshua 1:8. Have you ever tried to meditate on scripture? If so, what was it like?
  4. How many scripture verses do you have memorized? How would it impact your life if that number was doubled?
  5. Read Acts 17:11. What’s the difference between reading the Bible and studying it?
  6. Do you know anyone who really seems to know the Bible yet struggles to apply it? Where do you think is the disconnect?
  7. Write a personal action step based on this conversation.

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