Motivating yourself for studying the bible?

[treeking]

My family has not gone to church in about 4-6 years so I am pretty much on my own as far as studying goes except for people online to help as I have few friends none of which are Christian as well. I personally have trouble reading Samuel, Kings, Chronicles and a few other OT books because I find them a bit harder to read and learn from it. How do you motivate yourself to read the Bible?

 

[Lady Derelict Content]

Motivation springs up like water from a well when, if you ask in faith believing, our loving heavenly Father will give you in great abundance. The Holy Spirit will teach you the Word of God. If you ask for wisdom, our loving Lord will give it. He never witholds that which is good.

Buying a monthly Bible study help booklet like Daily Bread, or Everyday With Jesus will greatly enhance your understanding of the Scriptures. 'EWJ' also has one specifically geard for young people.

To help you further, I have found an online free Bible study website which is very good to read. Free Online Bible Study Lessons

Visit me sometime and share how you've progressed.

~Gaby

I am 19 and my family has not gone to church in about 4-6 years so I am pretty much on my own as far as studying goes except for people online to help as I have few friends none of which are Christian as well. I personally have trouble reading Samuel, Kings, Chronicles and a few other OT books because I find them a bit harder to read and learn from it. How do you motivate yourself to read the Bible?

 

[treeking]

Motivation springs up like water from a well when, if you ask in faith believing, our loving heavenly Father will give you in great abundance. The Holy Spirit will teach you the Word of God. If you ask for wisdom, our loving Lord will give it. He never witholds that which is good.

Buying a monthly Bible study help booklet like Daily Bread, or Everyday With Jesus will greatly enhance your understanding of the Scriptures. 'EWJ' also has one specifically geard for young people.

To help you further, I have found an online free Bible study website which is very good to read. Free Online Bible Study Lessons

Visit me sometime and share how you've progressed.

~Gaby

A truly inspirational post, thank you for taking the time.

 

[Lady Derelict Content]

you're very welcome. Do let me know of your progress... next month when I hit 24, I won't qualify being here.

A truly inspirational post, thank you for taking the time.

 

[treeking]

you're very welcome. Do let me know of your progress... next month when I hit 24, I won't qualify being here.

Well, I guess I will just see you in the 18-mid 30s forum then guessing you will still have access to that one. I am currently am asking for a mindset willing to learn the knowledge rather than treating it as a boring study. I will say it is much more enjoyable and amazing of a learning experience when you open your heart to understanding.

 

[Lady Derelict Content]

Yes, I do have access to the 18-30's. Will be pleased to continue fellowshipping as and when. However, you could subscribe to doc's and enjoy sharing here: http://www.christianforums.com/t7491881/ also, scjohnson's:

http://www.christianforums.com/t7404702/

Lovely little fellowship groups, or, you could start a thread yourself.

Well, I guess I will just see you in the 18-mid 30s forum then guessing you will still have access to that one. I am currently am asking for a mindset willing to learn the knowledge rather than treating it as a boring study. I will say it is much more enjoyable and amazing of a learning experience when you open your heart to understanding.

 

[Lindseyk]

i just wanted to put that i found this forum very helpful to me for i have a similar problem reading the bible.

 

[Sailorgirl13]

If you have an iPhone or iPad there's a great app my friend has simply called 'holy bible' you can download devotionals and set reminders. Plus it has all different versions of the bible (eg NIV, KJV, Good news etc). It is a nice font (I'm pretty sure you can adjust it too).
And plus it's very accessible because it's on your phone

My other suggestion is just make reading the bible a routine. I read before I go to bed and if I'm finding it hard to read, I do it in small doses.

 

[Mochi]

Why not buy or download a good audio bible and listen to it? That can at least get you through the parts of the bible you are having troubles with.

 

[snoopy500]

Why not buy or download a good audio bible and listen to it? That can at least get you through the parts of the bible you are having troubles with.

Now there is a good idea I should look into for myself when my midterms are finished.

 

[GordyJ7]

The OT is a more difficult read. I would start with the New Testament. Matthew, Mark, Luke and John are all similar in that they tell the story of Jesus, but each one is different in how it is written. But by reading these you learn about who Jesus is, His characteristics, His desires for humanity, and the miracles He performed. Also Proverbs. One chapter a month=31 chapters... very good and quick read. This you can gain wisdom for every day life.

 

[omanid]

I read parts of that Bible that I'm called to instead of forcing myself to read things that are too difficult --I know I'll come back to them when the time is right.

I also use this website:
Topical Bible - Bible Verses by Topic
Helpful.

 

[itlivesinthere]

Pray to the Lord so that He may light a fire in your heart! Ask God to reveal His truth to you and that the Holy Spirit will inspire you to seek it out earnestly.

 

[Unix]

I bought Logos software with packages and some individual titles. There is a function to read aloud the text. To read aloud any part of the text of Your choice, You may need to start with a empty PersonalBook Bible (search in the Logos forum for PB) (it's a .docx so You need Microsoft Word), insert text by copy-paste into for example Revelation, then add the PB in Logos.
Insert just the text You want to be read aloud. The next day, do the same procedure again, inserting the next chapter.

Use the read aloud function to listen to the genuine epistles by Ignatius of Antioch, Melito of Sardis, Tatian, Clement of Rome. Those are the only ones I recommend. They had a more original Bible and Church order at hand, they have sound teachings, and You'll get inspiration to reading the Bible. They don't quote the Bible so extremely much but enough.

If You allready understand that the REASON for real Christianity is not Ethics and a guidance how to live, read Prv.

Avoid reading Judith, Tobit, 3 Macc, Ps, Mt 11:27, 1 Cor, Gal, 2 Thess, 1 Tim, Hebrews 9:15-13:25, 1 Pt, Apocalypse

 

[eawilli23]

There's also great free software for your computer called E-Sword. The free version has some of the more popular translations, with the ability to buy others with the "pro" package. I believe that there's also an option to read passages aloud. You can also compare translations side-by-side, highlight certain things, and add your own notes.

 

[eyetguy]

Just thought I would share with you all a great audio reading plan I have found. Probably the best and most interesting way to read through the Bible in a year. Or any portion of the Bible.

Bible Reading Plan

Hope this helps.

 

[eyetguy]

There's also great free software for your computer called E-Sword. The free version has some of the more popular translations, with the ability to buy others with the "pro" package. I believe that there's also an option to read passages aloud. You can also compare translations side-by-side, highlight certain things, and add your own notes.

Love e-sword. Use it daily.

 

[iamauthentic]

yeah, i would suggest maybe starting out with audio from ur android or iphone. i had to stop tho bcuz it was causing me to doze off and it was just becoming words to me.

do you pray before you read? you should definitely being praying right before you dive into scripture. just a short lil conversation with God asking Him to reveal Truth to you. that seems to be helping me.

also try different methods. like, you can go and just read the bible as if your reading a story and maybe knock out a whole book or two in a couple of hours. its cool to see things from more of a broader perspective to see something different than you would if you are miticulously reading scripture. or miticulously read scripture haha. you get different things from different methods. you could pick a chapter or a short book and just read it 3 or 4 times and pray each time for the Lord to just nail you with Truth. pray that He would reveal something new that you didnt get from reading previously. try reading the books backwards. you know by verse.

just some suggestions. GL

 

[Core90]

I tried making it part of my routine, and it worked for me. After work and chores, before TV, video games, internet, other wise I'll get to involved in that and never get around to it.
I recently got an iPod Touch (which is basically an iPhone, minus the phone), and downloaded the Holy Bible app by YouVersion. It has devotionals, several versions of the Bible which are usually downloadable for online use, and an audio for most versions.
I am doing the Bible in a year plan on there, with audio reading, and have only missed 1 day (which I caught up on the next day) out of a month and half. Before I wasn't reading the Bible much at all to be honest, so it's done wonders for me, and like you, it's pretty much up to me to be involved with Spiritual things in my house.

 

[Kwood]

I would suggest just to keep finding new ways to honor the Lord! You've already started by being a member of the forum.

After I was saved, God lead me to buy a chronological bible. It puts the chapters/verses in order of which it is speculated/believed to occur. It has really helped me to understand God's word, and the significance of events from the OT to the NT.

Beyond that one could even do devotionals, Bible Quizzes, anything to enhance your knowledge of the Word. God is good, may He instruct us into more knowledge & wisdom of His Word by fellowship with Him.