Nobody sits down at a fountain counter to finish a drink as fast as possible. You take your time with it. Scripture is much the same. It was written to be savored as well as studied.
O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.Psalm 34:8
Reading plans are a fine thing, but they can turn the Bible into a list to check off. If you have gotten behind and given up, or if you have never known where to begin, here is a slower way.
A simple way to read
- Pick something short. Five to ten verses. A psalm or a short section from one of the Gospels is a good place to start.
- Read it out loud. Hearing the words slows you down. You will notice things your eyes skipped.
- Read it again and stop at one line. Whichever phrase catches you, stay there. You do not need to know why.
- Ask two plain questions. What does this tell me about God? What might it ask of me today?
- Turn it into a short prayer. Use the words of the passage if you like. Then get on with your day.
Fifteen minutes is plenty. Five is better than none. You will come across things you do not understand. That is normal. Write them down and bring them to a pastor, a friend or our Scripture forum.
The invitation in the psalm is not “analyze and report.” It is “taste and see.” Start with a small sip.