Thoughtful Bible reading is essential for every Christian who is serious about her (or his) relationship with God. God doesn't want a one-sided relationship with us. He calls us to work at knowing Him by spending time in His Word and by wrestling to understand what He wants us to know.

But many of us don’t know how to read or where to begin.

Here are some suggestions to help both the beginner and the seasoned reader dig deeper into God's Word. See "Bible Reading Helps" under resources for other helpful ideas.

Reading the Bible with Theological Eyes

Three simple questions transform our reading of the Bible from a hunt for some comforting morsel to get us through the day into an active enriching search for God:

1. What does this tell me about God?

This question focuses my thoughts on God first, rather than on myself. You'll be surprised at what you discover when you spend my trying to understand what God is revealing about Himself.

What does God say directly about Himself? What do God’s prophets tell His people about God? How does God look through the eyes of Abraham, Ruth, David, or Peter?

2. What does this tell me about myself?

God knows everything about me—the good, the bad and the ugly. Yet He will never turn away or reject me. His intimate knowledge of me opens the door for me to be honest before Him about my sin, my weaknesses and failings, my hopes and fears. And it is in the light of his character that I will begin to see myself more clearly and learn in deeper ways how much I need him and his redemptive work in my life.

3. What difference does it make?

God never reveals Himself simply to satisfy our curiosity or even simply to give us greater insight into ourselves. We are His image bearers, and He wants for us to be like him. So I must always probe and ask why He wants me to know these things about Him and about me. What difference does this make in how I trust Him, how see my circumstances and how I relate to others?

God is a revealing God. He does not hide in the Scriptures. He wants us to know Him. His Holy Spirit specializes in helping us understand and know God better through his Word. So as you read and study the Bible, expect God to open your eyes and help you know Him better.