How to Read the Scriptures

J.C. Ryles’ (1816–1900) hints for reading the Bible (From J.C. Ryle “How Readest Thou?” An Earnest Appeal to Search the Scriptures.)

1. Begin reading your Bible this very day.
2. Read the Bible with an earnest desire to understand it.
3. Read the Bible with deep reverence.
4. Read the Bible with earnest prayer for the teaching and help of the Holy Spirit.
5. Read the Bible with child-like faith and humility.
6. Read the Bible in a spirit of obedience and self-application.
7. Read the Bible daily.
8. Read all the Bible, and read it in an orderly way.
9. Read the Bible fairly and honestly. Determine to take everything in its plain, obvious, meaning, and regard all forced interpretations with great suspicion.
10. Read the Bible with Christ continually in view. The grand primary object of all Scripture is to testify of Jesus. Old Testament ceremonies are shadows of Christ. Old Testament judges and deliverers are types of Christ. Old Testament history shows the world’s need of Christ. Old Testament prophecies are full of Christ’s sufferings, and of Christ’s glory yet to come. The first advent and the second, the Lord’s humiliation and the Lord’s kingdom, the cross and the crown, shine forth everywhere in the Bible. Keep fast hold on this clue, if you would read the Bible aright.

Legitimate Motivations for Daily Bible Reading
1. Duty. If we read the Bible out of duty we are still doing the right thing. “The
chief end of man is to glorify God.”

2. Doctrine. We should want to study the Scriptures to find in them the vital
truths for godliness.

3. “Defrost.” We should go to the Word of God to warm our hearts again for the things of heaven. [Jim Eliot closed one of his letters to his brother in this way, "Must get into the Book for a little defrosting" (Shadow of the Almighty, p. 64).

4. Delight. “The chief end of man is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever.” Remember that delight in the Word of God is a work of grace. You must pray earnestly to God to be gracious to you.

Hints
• Learn to measure your attention span.
• Learn to extend your attention span.
• Adjust the lighting.
• Get comfortable for brain work.
• Eliminate distractions.
• Learn to talk to yourself.
• Vary your approach. Sometimes study; sometimes read to “defrost.”
• Remember the best way to eat an elephant (one bite at a time).

(HT: Bob Bixby)