“The Bible is not a book to be looked at, but a voice to be heard.”
— Eugene Peterson
(Eat This Book)
Most of us long to hear God’s voice.
But if we’re honest, when it comes to reading the Bible, many of us feel unsure at best.
How do we do it?
What are we looking for?
Is a verse a day good? Or should I go wider?
How do we move beyond checking a box to actually meeting Jesus in the text?
It’s a really big book- where do I start?
If you are a part of Missio, we often remind one another: the Bible is not a collection of inspirational quotes or a rote religious manual. It is the unfolding Story of God—a Story we are invited to step into, again and again.
When we open Scripture, we are placing ourselves inside that Story—not simply to learn, but to be formed. It is for every follower of Jesus- not just some elite disciples. And as a follower of Jesus your intake of scripture should be more than a push notification verse of the day or tik tok preachers AI generated take on a text.
You are invited to meet with God in the text. For yourself.
As you look to spend time in God’s presence with God’s word this this summer (or whenever you are reading this) here’s a helpful way we encourage disciples to read their Bibles It’s not the only way- but it is helpful for many of us!
A simple way to practice: READ
Here’s a rhythm I’ve found helpful—and I encourage our community to try it as well.
Spend some time in prayer. Be aware of God’s presence and posture towards you, then start to READ.
READ
The first thing we want to encourage you to do is to Read the text. Spend time with the words of God and let them work their way into your heart. This may be a story, a chapter, or even a few verses. Read enough to get some context and not make easy to avoid interpretation errors by dropping in on one verse or line
EXAMINE
Spend time with the text and work through it. If it’s a story notice the characters, tension and the plot. If it’s a verse notice the words. If it’s a chapter or passage, notice the themes, follow the logic. If it’s poetry, what are the metaphors, stanzas, and imagery? Ask questions. Use some trusted resources. Listen to the Spirit.
APPLY
The text was written to people who were around at a different point in history than us, but it was written for us as well. So, how does this part of Scripture have implications for your life or context? Is there a behavior you sense Jesus wants you to stop or start? An implication for your business, family, roommates, or personal life? Is there something you are being invited into a longer conversation with God about?
Bonus: We often call this “implications” because we orient around God and His truth not picking and choosing what we like to apply and rejecting what we don’t. His story is the reality and we seek to live in light of it - not just apply bits of it
DO
So that thing that you feel called to do- do it. Actually follow through on the invitations or calls to repentance that Jesus is offering you through the kindness of his Spirit. We encourage you to make this a community project and invite others to hold you accountable to what the Spirit is inviting you into!
Bonus: Keepa journal. Whether old school leather or new school on your phone - writing down what you learn each day is a great way to track God’s movement in your life and community!
Remember: Staying in the Story
As you read, remember- The Bible tells a six-act Story and each text you read finds its home in one of those acts
Creation → Fall → Promise → Redemption → Church → New Creation.
We often illustrate the unfolding story of God with the symbols at the top of this post!
Whenever you read, ask:
Where does this passage fit in the Story?
What does it teach me about God?
How does it point me to Jesus and his kingdom?
How will I live today as a person shaped by this Story? (BLESS rhythms are often helpful hints)
A final encouragement
We don’t have to be scholars or professional Christians to read Scripture. We simply need a heart that is open and willing to meet Jesus in the Word, and the faith to keep saying yes as it invites us into a new way of being human in and for God’s world.
As Eugene Peterson reminds us:
“Christians don’t simply learn or study or use Scripture; we assimilate it, take it into our lives in such a way that it gets metabolized into acts of love.” (Eat This Book)
So come hungry. And enjoy the feast of Gods presence awaiting you in His word.
READ this summer
Stay in the Story.
Live kingdom lives together
— Kevin