1st- Understand the big picture.  Make sure you know the basic outline of the Bible.  Consider watching one of these movies. God's Story- From Creation to Eternity (80 min. movie) on ChristianAnswers.net.  (Normally click the 256k link next to Windows Media. May have to click bar across top and Run Active X.) The Hope- Overview of the Bible (Normally click the 256k or 384k link next to Windows Media) 2nd- Don't stop with thinking you have the basic message of the Bible in your head.  Read your Bible regularly to benefit from a deeper understanding and to protect yourself from people who twist the Scripture.  If you have trouble reading, consider reading or listening to the CEV, otherwise consider using the version that you hear your pastor using.  Read below about Bible Reading.  Your first food should be God's Word, then Bible-based preaching and teaching. 3rd- Go beyond Bible reading and memorize and meditate on verses that are promises that you currently need in your life. 4th- Go beyond Bible reading and use Bible-based study helps and tools to develop understanding about themes, characters, doctrines, and how to live from the Bible. (Use tools from above.) Tips: Structure for success! Own multiple Bibles.  Place a Bible in the bathroom, nightstand, easy chair, and in the car. Acquire two audio versions of the Bible.  One for the car and one for the nightstand clock radio.  Make this web page your start page (Tools/Internet Options/General or Main tab/Use Current).  Find a partner where you both agree to follow a particular reading/listening goal.  Join structured Bible studies or classes that naturally force you to read and study. Avoid anything that does not put the Word of God as the highest authority for information. Go to Menu

Never read the entire Bible?

If you have never read the entire Bible, it is usually beneficial to read the New Testament first, then read the Old Testament.  While reading the Bible, you should also read the online commentary pages for the chapters/book you are currently reading.  If you will read the Bible chapter and the corresponding commentary information for the chapter, you will find it more interesting and educational.  Occasionally, you may want to use a Bible dictionary to learn more about a person, place, or practice.

Don't think you can do it?

If you have tried for many years to read the entire Bible and you feel you haven't succeeded, take the time to highlight every verse you read so it is easy to systematically eliminate unread portions.   Keep your Bible in a location where you will be more apt to read it: nightstand, bathroom, easy chair.   Keep your highlighters clipped to your Bible.  You may want to get a cd/clock for your nightstand and buy the CEV Bible on mp3 cd to listen to for a short while before sleeping.  If you have difficulty reading, use a version that is easier to read such as the Contemporary English Version (CEV) or listen to an audio version.  Once you have found the audio version you prefer, bookmark the page where you choose the book/chapter for quick access.  Print this sheet and keep near your cd player to mark off chapters.

General Bible reading:

Many people will read a chapter of Proverbs and a chapter of Psalms each day along with 1-2 chapters of the Bible.  You can print this record sheet to mark off chapters read (1 sheet).

Tips for veteran Bible readers:

You should try to use the three major methods of Bible study throughout your life: in-depth chapter by chapter, straight through, and topical.

1. The in-depth chapter by chapter method is a good method to use first.  This would include reading commentary and dictionary information while understanding the timeline (chart).  Some will follow along with an audio teacher using a through the Bible approach for their teaching such as J. Vernon McGee or Bob Davis.  As with any information that might affect your viewpoint, always check multiple sources.
2. The straight through method is often better to use after you have gone through the Bible with the chapter by chapter method above.  The main purpose of the straight through method is to learn more about the big picture (see the forest instead of the trees) which can be missed when dissecting the Bible.  The average reader can read the Old Testament in approximately 28 hours and the New Testament in approximately 7 hours.   This is a good time to use a highlighter to mark verses that stand out to you.  The Bible reading will go fast if you also attempt to write a book report on the Bible as if you were going to present the report to people that had never heard of it.  Your report will help remind you of the big picture for years to come.
3. Studying topics where information is found in several locations of the Bible can be very beneficial.  The use of concordances, word searches, lexicons, topical searches, dictionaries, commentaries, encyclopedias, and other tools can often assist you.  It is advised to take a hermeneutics course so you are reminded of important guidelines to formulate your conclusions.  There is a brief overview of Bible study methods/hermeneutics above, or consider enrolling for a bachelor degree for only $50 per month at BibleDegree.com where you will take a full hermeneutics course..   Usually, it is beneficial to know Jewish custom or laws. It is also beneficial to understand the difference between the law and grace.  It is important to understand the importance of context.  It is usually helpful to understand how wildcard searches can speed things up (if allowed).  Using *ites would show most of the ancient nations (Midianites, Canaanites, etc.).  Using marr* would show marry, marrying, married, marriages, marriage, etc.

Basics of learning from the Bible:

Four essentials: pray before you start, highlighters, commentaries, dictionaries.  Ask the Holy Spirit to teach you.  John 14:26 "...He shall teach you all things."  It is highly beneficial to buy some highlighters to mark verses as you read.  Maybe use one color to mark verses that you really like, so you can skim your Bible later to read your favorite verses.  Then use another color to mark verses you do not understand or have questions about, so you can later revisit these verses for further study.  Reading an online commentary (above) at the same time will give you additional information or reminders that may help you. You can use Chuck Smith's online audio commentary to listen to each book if you have Real Player on your computer.  You may want to use an online dictionary whenever you are reading about a specific person or place to get an overview that may include other historical records.

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Note: If you are researching online homeschool programs, online Christian schools, or looking for options for your current homeschooling situation, our home page offers eight important points to consider for distance learning options for parents.