Could there be a time when less is more? Let’s plunge into the Deeper Waters and find out.
Often in the Christian walk, we’re told we need to read our Bibles more. There is a lot of truth to this. I try to start every day reading a chapter of the Old Testament and a chapter of the New. If you live in a modern country where you can read and have access to the Bible, there’s no excuse not to as a Christian. There are plenty of countries where you could be killed for having a Bible let alone reading it.
While that is true, there are times you might want to consider reading less of the Bible. That is, take in a small small portion and focus on just that portion for some time. This has been a nightly habit of mine and has served me well.
I am going through the book of Romans at night and have been for several months. You really notice parts of the text more when you go through it slowly. How slowly am I going through it? A verse a night. Just one. Then as I go to sleep I ponder that verse and ask questions about it and see what’s going on in it more and more.
Let’s consider a recent example. That will be Romans 14. The chapter starts off simple enough. It’s about what food someone is allowed to eat as a Christian. Then before too long, it becomes an area of the resurrection of Jesus and Jesus is the Lord of the living and the dead. If we judge our brother and sister, we must remember we will give an account to God Himself on the last day.
Yeah. All of that is going on. Sometimes if you read it quickly, you can become so familiar with the text that you might rush through that. By reading slowly, you force yourself to see it bit by bit and think more about what each part means. You can also think about previous parts you’ve read of the passage and see how it all fits together.
You can do this at your own pace and you might want to change based on what part of the Bible you’re reading. Maybe you want to read just a parable of Christ tonight, or just part of a parable. It’s up to you. It’s your reading.
My suggestion is just to try going through it slower. If you want to, get out a commentary and go through it at the same time to have some guidance as you read the text. Whatever helps you is good. Just take a few bite-sized portions and go with it.
Try it and see how it works for you.
In Christ,
Nick Peters,
(And I affirm the virgin birth)
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