Reading the Bible
We spend more than 95% of our discipleship ‘time’ outside gatherings and Small Groups. Whether that is in our workplace, neighbourhood, home or hobbies – these are the most significant spaces for us to establish great discipleship rhythms. Reading the Bible is a critical practice to a disciple wanting to follow Jesus. It is for these reasons that we want to create opportunities and empower one another to consider how we read our Bibles well in our daily lives. This page is here to encourage you to read daily, and in a way that leads you to Jesus.
Colossians 3
Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.
Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.
Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.
Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.
Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to curry their favour, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for their wrongs, and there is no favouritism.
4 guiding principles:
- We encourage you to aim to read a few verses or 1 chapter before and after the passage you’re studying, to better glean the context of the main passage. (This is not necessary if reading a whole book of the Bible)
- We also encourage you to read from a physical copy of the Bible. Studies show that those people who bring a physical Bible to church services are more likely to also read their Bible in private. The physical copy of the Bible is only used for one thing – reading, studying, and meditating on God’s Word; whereas, using your mobile device or computer can become distracting as it has more than one use. (In lieu of this, of course there are fantastic apps and websites to help you gain access to the Bible)
- Read prayerfully, and be ready to listen for what the Spirit is saying to you.
- When you sense God might be speaking, write down what you think you heard and be ready to act on it and obey His calling in your daily life.
Helpful resources:
For some more guidance to reading the Bible, check out these resources:
Click on the images below to continue ‘Living It Out’:
