Actually reading the Bible is first and foremost. Also, it is important to have a good Bible reading and studying program that works for you. You can use one of the many pre-arranged ‘read through in a year plans’ or you can devise your own plan.

The read through in a year plans do not work for me. My plan is to start with Genesis 1:1 and to read a little every day. There is no set amount to read and not prescribed time for reaching the end of the Bible. Sometimes I read a little and at others a lot. If I miss a day for some reason, no problem, I just pick up the next day where I left off. I continue in this manner until I have read through Revelation. Then I start again at the beginning. That has worked well for me for many years. The system you employ should work for you.

Reading from cover to cover is important for two reasons.

1. We forget. The English Bible contains about a million words and we just don’t remember them all. For example, each time as I am reading through I come upon verses, or even long passages, that seem new and fresh to me. If we don’t read through the Bible by reading on a daily basis, we would eventually forget most of it. The Israelites forgot there even was a Bible (Scriptures on scrolls). 2 Kings 22:8-13 tells how the Book of the Law was found in the house of the Lord.

2. You can’t understand what you don’t know. Reading the Bible is the way to knowledge, and knowledge is necessary for acquiring understanding.

Knowledge is mental and therefore physical in nature. Knowledge of the Bible is gained by reading or listening to the words printed on the pages of the Bible. Understanding is a heart function, and is therefore spiritual in nature. To understand the Bible is to see behind the words on the page. Acquiring understanding is to move into the world of the Bible’s hidden meaning. Understanding is only attained by means of revelations from the Holy Spirit. This topic will be discussed in detail in later articles.

Studying the Bible is another essential part of your Bible regime. Study can take many forms such as seminars and group Bible studies. However, the most important Bible study is your own personal study as you are directed, led and taught by the Holy Spirit. This level of study is available to every born again believer. When you sit at the feet of Jesus, so to speak, and listen to Him explain the meaning of a passage, you are encouraged and built up to a mature man or woman in Christ. This is the way you are equipped for the work He has for you. This type of study is very personal and extremely powerful.

Section 1 of the Revealed Truth Bible Study contains seven lessons dealing with foundational topics that lay the groundwork to help you get the most out of your Bible reading and studying program.