Here’s a tried and tested daily Bible reading methodology that I’ve successfully used for three decades. Or for those of you who go back a few years, here’s how to have a daily “Quiet Time” with God:
Prepare:
- Thank God for the opportunity to meet with Him
- Ask forgiveness for sins of omission or commission
Perimeter:
- Look at the passage in context, i.e. study what comes before and after the text you’re reading
- Avoid reading anything into the passage that may distort the intended meaning
Paraphrase:
- Write out the passage using words that would enable a child to understand it
Pulverise:
- Ponder on every phrase and sentence
- Find the main point
- Look at opening and closing statements
- Identify unique words
- Locate points of emphasis
- Pay attention to historical, cultural, social, political, or economic factors
Personalise:
- Apply the passage to yourself
- Beware of the paralysis of analysis (sometimes we become critical analysts of God’s Word rather than open hearted recipients)
- Ask, “What does God want me to learn?” and “How does God want me to respond?”
Praise:
- Give God the honour and glory that are His due
Prayer:
- Pray using the passage as the point of departure
- Repeat the Word back to God
- Ask God to help you be obedient to His Word
Practice:
- Put into practice what you learnt from God today
- Share biblical insights with friends in your community of faith
[Based on “How to Have a Quiet Time”, Seize the Day: Meditations for the Year, 2002 by Lawson Murray]
© Scripture Union Canada 2013