How to most effectively use your Bible

1 Peter 2:1-2 Therefore, putting aside all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander, ² like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation

Now that you have chosen your particular Bible, now what?  Below are some practical ways you can either take your brandnew Bible, or perhaps one who already own, and begin to explore and grow in your Bible study and reading of God's word.

1. Read the Book of Proverbs every month
      In my Christian walk of nearly 27 years, I have found reading a Proverb a day to be highly effective in gaining godly wisdom.  Proverbs' intent is to impart wisdom, gain understanding and enable skillful godly living for life  (Compare Proverbs 1:1-7).  Being that there are 31 chapters in Proverbs, that means there is exactly one Proverb for each day of a given month.

2. Or Try reading the Book of 1 John six times through in one month
      1 John is another book of the Bible I would commend to new Christians and to those who have known the Lord for decades.  Its main purpose is found in 1 John 5:13 "These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life."  Among the major themes of 1 John is that of assurance.  In this short book's 105 verses we find nearly 70 statements relating to the theme of how one can know, that they know they are truly a child of God.  Read a chapter a day, enough for a week, then start again.  You will be able to read 1 John 6 times through in a month

3. Or try reading 3 Psalms a day for a month
       The Book of Psalms helps the Christian understand how God relates to them, and they are to relate to God in a lifestyle that is worship given to Him.  I love Psalms because it helps me to understand and gain control of my emotional life and thought life.  Reading 3 psalms a day will get you through all 150 Psalms in one month.

4. Have a little notebook or write in the margin of your Bible
        As you discover new insights from God's word, write them down.  God's word, the Bible, is His communication to His people in all places at all times (this is called a the logos).  When you are reading a Bible verse, and the verse is made personal to you, that is God taking that Logos and turning it into a Rhema (ray-ma).  God speaks to us through His word. (Proverbs 6:22; John 5:39)  A Rhema is a specific word, for a specific person at a specific time.  Peter said to Jesus at the end of John 6 - "Lord, where can we go, for you have the words of life".  That term "words" in the original language is the word "rhema". 

        In my years of Bible study, I have kept little notebooks and have written in the margins of my Bible.  Which ever one you are most comfortable with, writing helps you to reinforce what you are hearing through God's word into your mind and heart.  Truly the Holy Spirit Himself is the One Who, by the Bible, guides and illuminates to the believer's heart the contents of the scriptures. (Psalm 119:105; John 16:12-15; 1 John 2:20,27). 

5. Memorize the books of the Bible
       Truly knowing where the Bible books are found will aid greatly in your study of the scripture.  The best way to know where the Bible books are found is to go to the introduction page and review the table of contents.  To me this is part of doing what we read in 2 Timothy 2:15 "Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth."

May the Lord bless you, dear believer, as you aim to grow in God's Word.