I don’t know about you, but sometimes working my way through the Scriptures can be kind of tough! I’ve found a few things that help me as I journey through God’s Word…

• Read a different version. There are so many different versions… try a new one! It is refreshing and often enlightening to read a familiar verse written with some fresh words. Check out this comparison of versions…

• Use a reading schedule. I have been using a reading schedule that guides you to read through the Bible in one year. It is set up in such a way that you can start at any point in the year! A few cool things about this schedule:
  • It schedules a day “off” every seven days and a couple of days off at the end of every month. You can catch up or reflect on what you’ve read during these “off” days.
  • It keeps the reading fresh by moving back and forth from Old Testament to New Testament.
  • It is free and you can have it by clicking here! (Thanks to Tony Morgan for the heads up on this resource)

• Read according to need. I want to know how to be a better parent… so I look for what God has to say about parenting. I want to know more about the church… so I look for what God has to say about the church. I don’t want to be impatient and angry… so I look at what God has to say about those things! How do you find verses that apply to your need?
  • Mark them with a pen when you are reading through the Bible and put them on a 3×5 notecard to carry with you; Put them in a journal; put a bookmark in your bible that will help you to easily identify your “need” verses. Come up with some other creative way to find those verses when you need them.
  • Ask someone who knows the Bible better than you where to find verses that apply to your need.
  • Do a Google search – “Verses on…” and type in your need/issue.

• Do what you’ve read. The best part of learning is application! David, the author of many of the Psalms, said to God, “Your commands make me wiser than my enemies, for your commands are my constant guide. Yes, I have more insight than my teachers, for I am always thinking of your decrees. I am even wiser than my elders, for I have kept your commandments” (Psalm 119:98-100). When we do what God says… the results are incredible! (BONUS: check this out)

• Share what you’ve discovered. Whether you’re teaching your children, your spouse, a friend at work, a neighbor, or someone else… it’s critical that you share what you’ve learned! When you share what you’ve learned with others it could make an eternal difference in their lives, but it certainly will make one in yours, for as we know, “Those who teach, learn the most.”

These are a few things that I’ve found helpful. How about you? What have you found helpful as you’ve journeyed through the Bible?