{"product_id":"how-to-read-the-bible-more-effectively","title":"How To Read The Bible More Effectively","description":"\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eMany people have told me they would read the Bible more, but they have difficulty with reading and comprehension no matter how slowly they go. I understand. I’ve been there. The following comes from my experiences.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3 data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cb data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eComprehending Scripture\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eOften, books which teach reading comprehension speak to students or people in the work force. Speed AND comprehension is usually the goal. With Scripture, the emphasis should be comprehension and wisdom. Does speed enter into this? Sometimes, in study, we are indeed reading for answers to particular questions. This is especially true when using reference material. Here, speed can be useful, but not when we are reading for devotional reasons.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003ci data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e“Too often we are drowning in information but starving for wisdom.”\u003c\/i\u003e -E. Wilson\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eOften, people who struggle with comprehension try to solve the problem by going slower and slower until they find they are focusing on each word. However, with reduced speed, comprehension suffers greatly, and the reader gets frustrated at a lack of progress. So, yes, speed is a factor. However, becoming a speed reader might be overcompensating.\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eBelow is a paragraph that made the rounds a couple of years ago called: \u003cb data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e“Not everyone can read this”\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003efi yuo cna raed this, yuo hvae a sgtrane mnid too. I cdnuolt blveiee taht I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd waht I was rdanieg. The phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid, aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it dseno’t mtaetr in waht oerdr the ltteres in a wrod are, the olny iproamtnt tihng is taht the frsit and lsat ltteer be in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and yuo can sitll raed it whotuit a pboerlm. Tihs is beuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe.\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eParagraphs are similar in nature. As long as you get key points at the beginning, middle and end of the paragraph, you’re likely to understand what the writer is saying.\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eIf you experiment with this, you can increase speed to some degree while still understanding content. If not, slow down and try again. Once you find a comfortable speed, you can practice reading entire pages this way.\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eAfter you master this somewhat, you can speed up a little more by using your finger as a stylus to zig-zag through paragraphs, working your way down the page. I don’t recommend this for devotional reading. But it does have value in doing research and is a tremendous confidence builder.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eHere is another example of the ability of the mind to comprehend.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eScripture was written, in the original language, without any punctuation or spaces between words. Here is an example of John 3:16-18 rendered in English.\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eFORGODSOLOVEDTHEWORLDTHAT\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e HEGAVEHISONLYBEGOTTENSONTHAT\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e WHOEVERBELIEVESINHIMSHALLNOT\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e PERISHBUTHAVEETERNALLIFE\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eAmen!!!\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3 data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cb data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eThere are Many Ways to Read and Study the Bible\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eThe Bible isn’t like any other book. It’s actually a collection of 66 books and letters. Despite the fact that the first three words are \u003ci data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e“In the beginning,” \u003c\/i\u003eyou can actually start just about anywhere. Here I attempt at giving the reader a few ideas.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cb data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eThe Bible is divided up into sections:\u003c\/b\u003e History, Law, Poetry, Wisdom, Prophecy, and the New Testament.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cb data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eThe first four books of the New Testament\u003c\/b\u003e are the Gospel accounts of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eIf you were to hold the entire New Testament between your thumb and your finger, it’s under one inch thick, about the size of a Reader’s Digest. Sounds much less intimidating, doesn’t it?\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eIf that’s still too much, start with the \u003cb data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eGospel of John\u003c\/b\u003e. It’s the last of the four Gospels and the first three words are “In the beginning.” If you can read a chapter a day, in 3 weeks you have read the entire book. I’d also recommend a personal sized study Bible.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eIn the Old Testament, the \u003cb data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003ebook of Proverbs\u003c\/b\u003e has 31 chapters. Read one a day for a month. If you did this at the same time as you’re reading John’s Gospel, you will have finished two important books of the Bible in just one month.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eIf you prefer more devotional reading, the \u003cb data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003ePsalms\u003c\/b\u003e is always a blessing.\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eOne of the most overlooked Bible study helps is simply the \u003cb data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003etable of contents\u003c\/b\u003e! After a while, we learn where certain books and verses are found. But for the beginning student, using it is a real time saver.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cb data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eHere are a few verses to get you started…\u003cspan class=\"Apple-tab-span\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e \u003c\/b\u003eHebrews 10:23, Isaiah 41:10, Deuteronomy 31:8 John 3:16, John 16:33, Psalms 32:8, Matthew 11:28-29, Phil. 4:6-9. Read till you get a blessing! Make every effort to be consistent. Make time! It’s worth it!\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3 data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cb data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eDrawing Near to God\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eThe most important reason to read the Bible is to draw near to God. This is the secret of a Bible-believing Christian’s life: to worship and fellowship with Him as well as fellowship with other Bible believers who will help and encourage, share burdens and talents, and otherwise build each other up on our mutual quest for sanctification.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eThere are over 7100 promises in the Bible. One of them is eternal life in heaven for those who turn from their sin (repent), reach out to God and ask Jesus into their heart and life. \u003ci data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e“For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life”\u003c\/i\u003e (John 3:16).\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003ePray, in your own words, something like this: \u003ci data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e“Oh Lord, I’m sorry for all that I’ve done. I need You in my life. I realize that Your sacrifice on the cross was to pay for my sin and that You rose again to fulfill all things. Please help me to live for You. Amen.”\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"PrintMyTract.com","offers":[{"title":"Standard (up to 3 weeks) \/ 100","offer_id":67774778441976,"sku":"ocl1792700538145","price":33.3,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Rush (1 week) \/ 100","offer_id":67774778474744,"sku":"fqm1792700538146","price":50.7,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Standard (up to 3 weeks) \/ 250","offer_id":67774778507512,"sku":"ono1792700538147","price":68.25,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Rush (1 week) \/ 250","offer_id":67774778540280,"sku":"apw1792700538148","price":82.8,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Standard (up to 3 weeks) \/ 500","offer_id":67774778573048,"sku":"nnc1792700538149","price":73.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Rush (1 week) \/ 500","offer_id":67774778605816,"sku":"sur1792700538150","price":98.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Standard (up to 3 weeks) \/ 1000","offer_id":67774778638584,"sku":"xfj1792700538151","price":93.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Rush (1 week) \/ 1000","offer_id":67774778671352,"sku":"ovv1792700538152","price":140.8,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Standard (up to 3 weeks) \/ 2500","offer_id":67774778704120,"sku":"xiz1792700538153","price":223.65,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Rush (1 week) \/ 2500","offer_id":67774778736888,"sku":"jjl1792700538154","price":312.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Standard (up to 3 weeks) \/ 5000","offer_id":67774778769656,"sku":"ydo1792700538155","price":379.6,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Rush (1 week) \/ 5000","offer_id":67774778802424,"sku":"beq1792700538156","price":432.25,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Standard (up to 3 weeks) \/ 10000","offer_id":67774778835192,"sku":"gpv1792700538157","price":595.7,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Rush (1 week) \/ 10000","offer_id":67774778867960,"sku":"btj1792700538158","price":672.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0829\/2954\/9560\/files\/how-to-read-the-bible-more-effectively_1.jpg?v=1792700554","url":"https:\/\/opalcalfmachine.shop\/products\/how-to-read-the-bible-more-effectively","provider":"My Store","version":"1.0","type":"link"}