Keith Ferrin - How to Enjoy Reading Your Bible

I didnt always enjoy the Bible. Not that I disliked it. I didnt even think about enjoying it.

I spent the first twenty years I was a Christian believing that the Bible was true. Still do. Believing the Bible was reliable. Still believe that too. Believing that I should read it more, study it more deeply, and memorize more verses.

But the idea of enjoying it didnt even enter the conversation. In fact, I still rarely hear people talk about enjoying the Bible. It is almost as if we think that once we convince people it is true, reliable, and valuable, then they will read it every day, sign up for every Bible study, and memorize it from cover to cover. (Okay, I might have just gone a bit too far.)

If you have ever heard me speakor read one of my other booksyou have heard me tell of the night I began to enjoy the Bible. Yes, I can trace it back to a specific night in the spring of 1993.

A friend told me about an actor named Bruce Kuhn who was coming to his church to perform the gospel of Luke. Bruce had memorized Luke. The whole book. And he got up on stage, quoted it, and acted it out at the same time. No sets. No props. No other actors or actresses.

Honestly, I went out of curiosity. I thought it would be a bit fascinating, but I didnt expect to enjoy it. At least not for almost two hours! But that night, the living Word of God went from being a phrase to a reality. It came alive for me like never before. I sincerely enjoyed it. A lot.

Bruce agreed to have lunch with me the next day. We ended up spending about nine hours together. He challenged me to hang out in a book of the Bible. So I did.

That summer I read Philippians. Every day. All summer. It was the first time I could remember enjoying the Bible consistently for a long period. Thank you, Bruce. I am forever grateful.

That was the summer of 1993. Just under three years laterin March of 1996I did my first dramatic presentation of the gospel of John. I have spent the better part of the last two decades speaking, writing, and doing everything I can to help people fall in love with Gods Word.

What you are about to read is my attempt to boil down the lessons, analogies, ideas, and habits people tell me have been the most helpful for them.

Ten tips. Ten tips you can apply today. Ten tips that are simple to understand. Ten tips that are equally practical for the long-time Bible student or the person who is exploring what the big deal is about this old book.

The Bible is a big deal. (Check the all-time bestseller list. Its right at the top.)

Yes, the Bible is true. Yes, it is practical. And yes, it is fun!

My goal is simple: to help you enjoy the Bible. Thats it. If you enjoy it, you will read it more. If you enjoy it, you will talk about it. If you enjoy it, you will be more consistent in your time with God. If you enjoy it, you will apply it.

When it comes to the Bible, God never intended you to stop at believing it is true. He also wants you to enjoy it. I do too.

So lets get started.

Alongside,
Keith

Study Guide for Tip 1

Remember Why You Are Doing This

Have you lost the relational part of your relationship with Jesus? So many people come to know Jesus, and they are so excited, so vibrant, so alive! All too soon the want-tos turn into have-tos, and we get bogged down.

Nowhere is that more true than when it comes to Bible reading. We feel like we should read more. We should know it better. We should memorize more verses. We should enjoy it more than we do. And so many of us practically force ourselves to read instead of spending time with the One who formed us, saved us, redeemed us, restores us, and loves us.

Lets change that. Lets keep the relationship front and center. Lets keep the relationship, well, relational. Oh, and if youre just beginning or exploring a relationship with Jesus, it will be much better if you start relationally and continue relationally. Nourish the want-tos so they dont turn into have-tos.