Saved by His Grace

Rooted in the Word, held by His grace.

The Importance of Consistency in the Word

CategorIes:

,

·

5–8 minutes

“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

-2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NKJV)

Are you a new believer who doesn’t know where to start reading in the Bible? Or are you a seasoned believer who struggles to stay consistent in your reading and study of the Bible? Or are you interested in learning how to read and study the Bible more effectively? Then, this message is for you.

Order and Translation Really Do Matter

*As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.*

When I was a new believer, I was so excited to read the full Bible for the first time that I read the Bible from cover to cover within less than three months, starting with Genesis. I soon learned that I should have started in the New Testament, specifically with the gospels.

While reading the Bible in its entirety should be a yearly goal, if you are new to the faith, I highly encourage you to at least fully read the New Testament before you start your journey through the entire Bible. Starting in canonical order, with the Gospel of Matthew, will make the most sense.

Another key lesson I have learned is that the translation you use really does matter. I started with the New King James Version (NKJV), and this is the version I highly recommend, whether you are a new believer or have been in the Lord for many years.

Early in my walk, because a pastor I listened to taught exclusively from the King James Bible (KJV), I soon after purchased that translation, only to feel really confused by the Old English language. I had abandoned the easier-to-read New King James Version entirely and felt very frustrated, so I soon turned to the New Living Translation (NLT). Personally, I do not recommend the NLT, as it is more of a paraphrase translation, and there are many scriptures where essential parts are omitted.

The NKJV, however, is highly accurate to the original meaning of the original text, and it is easier to read as a new believer than the King James Version (KJV). Another easy-to-read reliable translation is the English Standard Version (ESV). If you still get confused while reading, don’t hesitate to pray to the Lord and ask Him to reveal the meanings of the different scriptures. 

It is very important to always pray to the Lord for understanding before you begin to read the Bible for the day so that you can understand the spiritual meaning behind different scriptures. Also, the Amplified Bible (AMP) can be a great version to read side-by-side for passages you are confused about; just don’t make that your primary translation. As I grow in my reading and comprehension, I do find myself often using the King James Version for side-by-side study.

Consistency is Key for Daily Reading

When it comes to consistency in reading the Bible, this is a wonderful Bible reading formula I wanted to share that the Lord gave my mentor who has helped disciple and mentor me in the faith since the beginning of my walk: Each day, strive to read at least 12 chapters of the Bible: 4 chapters in the Old Testament, 4 chapters in the New Testament, and 4 chapters in Proverbs.

Now, I know that some people may find 12 to be overwhelming at first, but I encourage you to strive toward the goal and choose a similar but smaller goal as you increase your daily reading. Aim to read Proverbs last in your daily reading so that the wisdom is fresh as you go about your day. And, as you begin reading this way, make sure you are reading the Bible in canonical order, from front to back (e.g., in the Old Testament: Genesis to Malachi; in the New Testament: Matthew to Revelation; for example, you would initially be in Genesis at the same time you are in Matthew, and so on).

Following this reading structure has helped me tremendously. It really gives structure to your daily reading. I have noticed a lot of people, especially new believers, lack structure on what to read and tend to bounce around, reading books out of order in the Bible and getting lost after following cross references, or reading the Bible without intentionality just to read a little each day. The 12 chapters/day formula also allows you to successfully accomplish reading the whole Bible in a year, with about two to three readings of the New Testament.

Reading both the Old and New Testaments at the same time will allow you to see all the links between the two, especially foreshadowing and prophecies about Jesus. You will begin to see Jesus clearly throughout the Old Testament.

Reading the New Testament daily will truly help you have a renewed mind in Christ, teach you how we who are in Christ are supposed to conduct ourselves in the fallen world around us, and teach you how to keep your faith. James is one of my favorite epistles in the New Testament that is full of strong reminders of how we must live in Christ.

“Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.” –Psalms 119:105

Reading Proverbs daily will help your mind make sense of what the entirety of scripture is saying while giving you applicable ways to use them daily. Proverbs is full of so much wisdom that the Lord gave Solomon, wisdom that is more applicable today than ever. One of my favorite passages in Proverbs is Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.”

In terms of time management, I strive to begin every day with reading scripture after morning prayer. Getting up early enough to read 12 chapters before work has been instrumental in my faith walk. If you are unable to do this, try reading six chapters in the morning and six in the evening.

“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” –Matthew 6:33

Putting God first daily is extremely crucial in our faith walk; giving Him our leftovers, after work or before bed, when we are exhausted, hinders our comprehension and prevents us from fully soaking up the Word.

Resources to Enrich Your Study Time

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. -2 Timothy 2:15 (KJV)

To best enrich your reading and study time, I highly recommend the following: a Bible dictionary, a concordance, and a study Bible. Below are essential tools I use to help me study the Bible.

*As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.*

For regular study at home:

For easy Bible study carry:

Discover more from Saved by His Grace

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Leave a comment