Before We Begin
	"Let us remember therefore this lesson: That to worship our God sincerely we must evermore begin by hearkening to His voice, and by giving ear to what He commands us." -John Calvin

How To Read

Bible Reading Plan

Scripture Versions

Overview of the process

Expectations for this study

Homework

How To Read

1. Read the Bible like you are reading a love letter.
2. Read thoughtfully.
3. Read repeatedly.
4. Read patiently.
5. Read prayerfully.
6. Read imaginatively.
7. Read meditatively.
8. Read purposefully.
9. Read acquisitively (own through application).
10. Read telescopically (context).
    

Bible Reading Plan

"For some years now, I have read through the Bible twice every year. If you picture the Bible to be a mighty tree and every word a little branch, I have shaken every one of these branches because I wanted to know what it was and what it meant."

- Martin Luther

Martin Luther had a tremendous appetite for scripture. He recommended that every person read through scripture at least once a year. To that end, I want to offer a couple reading plans for those interested in becoming reacquainted with holy writ.

Versions of the Bible

The following is an excerpt taken from The Complete Guide to Bible Versions by Philip W. Comfort:

COMPARING THE MODERN TRANSLATIONS

Each of the modern translations that was discussed in the previous chapters was based on a particular philosophy of translation. For example, the Revised Standard Version and the New American Standard Bible, which share a common purpose (i.e., to revise and revive the American Standard Version), are more literal than most versions. The translators often adhered to a word-for-word methodology instead of a thought-for-thought. The New Revised Standard Version is a little more "free"; in fact, the guiding concept for this revision was "as literal as possible, as free as necessary." The New International Version is even more free than The New Revised Standard Version because the translators employed a thought-for-thought approach to translation. And yet the New International Version is not as free as Today’s English Version, the New Jerusalem Bible, and the Revised English Bible because these versions were created to be as contemporary as possible. Of course, these are generalized observations; such exact distinctions between the translations cannot always be so clearly delineated. At times, the translations will cross over these boundaries. Nonetheless, it is possible to classify several of the modern translations as follows:

STRICTLY LITERAL:

• New American Standard Bible

LITERAL:

• New King James Version
• Revised Standard Version
• New American Bible

LITERAL WITH FREEDOM TO BE IDIOMATIC:

• New Revised Standard Version

THOUGHT-FOR-THOUGHT:

• New International Version
• New Jerusalem Bible
• Revised English Bible
• New Jewish Version

DYNAMIC EQUIVALENT (MODERN SPEECH):

• Today’s English Version

PARAPHRASTIC:

• The Living Bible

A modern English reader (or student) of the Bible would do well to use five or six translations—one in each category listed above. For example, I use the New American Standard Bible and the New Revised Standard Version for detailed word studies, the New International Version and New Jerusalem Bible for general study, and The Living Bible for reading pleasure. Other readers would make different selections from the various categories, depending on their needs and preferences. Those who use one translation exclusively would be enriched if they used a few others. This is especially true for those who are King James Version enthusiasts. They would discover that their Bible reading would be infused with fresh life and new light if they read a modern version. In selecting a translation of the Bible, the consumer should always make sure that the translation was based on the latest, most authoritative texts. Preferably, the Old Testament should have basically followed Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia and the New Testament, the United Bible Societies’ third edition of the Greek New Testament. Many of the modern versions reflect these standard texts; whereas translations such as the King James Version and even the New King James are based on an inferior Greek text. Finally, it must always be remembered that translations are nothing more than translations; they are not the same as the Bible in the original languages. Not one translation has been "inspired" by God in the same way the original text was. For those who want to read the Bible as it is in the original, inspired languages, they should learn Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek. Those who do not learn these languages have to depend on translations. I can read the New Testament in Greek, but I cannot read the Old Testament in Hebrew. I have to rely on various translations of the Old Testament. Notice I used the plural, "translations," not the singular, because I believe it is imperative for modern English readers to use several of the available English versions. By using different translations the reader can acquire a fuller understanding of the meaning of the original text.

The Frees were good enough to look up the ESV. It is a word for word translation like the NASB. I have seen a number of glowing endorsements of this translation, and it is the preferred translation of a number of well respected theologians.

Overview of the Process

There are three major steps involved in inductive Bible study:

1. Observation
2. Interpretation
3. Application

Some people will do great at observation and interpretation but will stop short of application. However, this method will only reap the rebuke of the apostle James (James 1:22-25). Others will be all about application but neglect observation and interpretation. They will try to be the best people they can be, yet without the guidance of scripture, they do not really know what kind of people they should be. They are guided by their heart, and not by God's revealed word. There are endless other distortions of the proper method which we are all guilty of from time to time.

The order is vital. If there is not sufficient time spent in observation, then the interpretation will be skewed. If the interpretation is skewed, then the application will be off. We often turn this process in its head. We live how we want to live, and then we interpret scripture in such a way as to justify that lifestyle. When we do this, then we see things in scripture that the original author never intended.

Expectation for this Study

1. Do not expect mastery immediately.
2. Do not expect to apply these methods in a ridgid manner.
3. Do not allow questions to bog you down.

Homework

Psalm 119

Read it thoughtfuly, read it repeatedly, read it meditatively, etc. It should take about 15 minutes to read through the whole chapter. This can be done easily at least once per day. Try to draw out 5 thoughts that you could share with the class.