Faith in Action 2017 20.08.17 | Page 5

5 HOW TO READ THE BIBLE I mportance: You may like to read the Bible and you may want to read it, but there will always be something in the way, so you may act as if it wasn’t important. But no one goes without food because it is just a basic need we all have. This is the same for the Bible – it is our spiritual food and without it, we will get spiritually weaker and weaker. The following symptoms reveal when one has not been feeding from the Word of God: • • • • • • • No words to pray Clueless of what to do in different situations Lack of understanding regarding what the pastor preaches Easily deceived by false doctrines No arguments to talk about Jesus and to evangelise No strength to fight Weak before sin Versions: There are popular Bible versions that omit some crucial verses of the Bible, therefore we at the UCKG HelpCentre recommend the ‘New King James’ or ‘Modern English’ version. It is the truest to the original we have found so far. Prepare:
 The Bible is not just another book. It is the Word of God and though different people wrote it many years ago, it is the most up- to-date book anyone can ever read. It talks about every area of a person’s life, giving its reader guidance found nowhere else in the world. So, in order for you to take the most out of it, pray before you start, asking God to speak to you through that reading, and He will. Where: In order for you to get the m ost out your meditation, you should not do it in places or times when you will find it hard to concentrate. The Bible needs to be read slowly, digesting every word you read. Find an appropriate place and time to slowly meditate on it. Start: You don’t have to start reading the Bible from Genesis, although you might want to know a little background on God’s creation and how the faith came about in this world. But as a total beginner, we recommend you start from the Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. These four books talk about the time when our Lord Jesus came to the Earth and revealed the true identity of the Father. Understanding: No one understands the whole Bible. Be patient with yourself and read anyway. If you come across a passage you don’t understand, don’t worry – in time you will. That is how it is for everyone who reads the Bible. God always speaks about what is relevant to you at the time you are reading, so meditate and keep your ears open to hear Him speak. When He doesn’t speak, it is because something is not relevant to you at that time. Do you need guidance with your finances? Join the INDEPENDENCE PROJECT EVERY MONDAY, 7.30PM at the UCKG (also at 7am, 10am & 3pm)