Category: Bible Basics

Don’t open your Bible, at least not yet

Don’t open your Bible

Yes, you heard me correctly. Leave your Bible closed for a moment.

Do you know where yours is?

Look for it if you don’t. Then find it and dust it off, but don’t open it.

Why keep it closed?

Why would I tell you to keep it closed?

Well, if you haven’t opened it in a while, then you’ve already accomplished this task.

Nothing like the feeling of a sense of accomplishment.

Now if you’ve found it or have it handy, grab hold of it, but, you guessed it, don’t open it.

Why not? Here’s why.

Your Bible

What thoughts go through your mind or what feeling do you get when you hold your Bible?

Guilt that you haven’t read it recently?

Confusion that you don’t understand what’s in it?

A sense that you don’t have time to read it?

How about a new thought?

Source of peace, comfort, and joy

This book you are holding in your hands can be the source of peace, comfort, and joy in your life.

How?

As a reminder that God is ever present and always available to us.

What I didn’t know

For a long time my Bible was a symbol of what I didn’t know and what I wasn’t doing, like a pair of neglected sneakers emphasizing a lack of exercise. But after reading through the Bible it has become a source of peace, wisdom, and strength.

Peaceful

When I pick up my Bible, I feel a little more peaceful.

When I open it, I know I’m going to experience something through the pages of scripture, from the words on the page. Sure, it might still be confusion, but I’m ok with that. I know if I keep reading, keep coming back to my Bible, something will stick, make sense, sink in, and make its way into my heart.

Anticipation

But it’s more than that. Now when I open my Bible I do so with anticipation. As I continue to read from the pages of scripture I keep stumbling upon amazing discoveries. Not every time I read, but knowing that I might see something really cool motivates me to keep reading.

A connection

What I do experience every time is a connection to Jesus. Even before I open my Bible I know that God is with me.

Are you holding your Bible? Know that God is with you.

Piano books and Bible books – an easy way to learn

Starting with simple arrangements was an easy way to learn Christmas songs on the piano. What if understanding the Bible were just a matter of repetition?

Piano books

When I was growing up, I wanted to learn how to play the piano. Well, actually, I don’t know that I wanted to learn as much as I wanted to already know how to play. Whenever I walked past the church piano I’d plunk a few notes, not knowing the names of the keys, just wishing I could play.

I eventually took piano lessons as an adult and really enjoyed learning Christmas songs. The melodies were familiar and piano books full of Christmas music abound at every level. From simple melodies played one note at a time to chord accompaniments and artful arrangements, you can find music that matches whatever skill you have.

Increasing skill – start with the easy versions

This was such a wonderful discovery for me. I could start with the easy versions, then gradually move to more challenging arrangements. This process didn’t feel like work because I could find something easy to play and enjoy playing as I slowly increased my skill for the next layer of difficulty or challenge.

Playing Christmas carols

One year as I sat at the piano playing the Christmas carols I had learned the year before, I realized they were easy! What I had initially struggled with and worked hard to learn was now within my ability.

When had that happened?

A strategy

I engaged this as a strategy for playing. I would start the holiday season with the songs I had learned the previous year, which gave me a great boost of confidence. Then I started learning a slightly more difficult arrangement or song that required a little more technical skill.

The gradual increase in challenge kept the process from feeling tedious and I still enjoyed playing the Christmas music, which was kind of the whole point, right?

Learn gradually

So now, every year, I start with the songs and arrangements I already know, then move on to the next degree of mastery. I learn gradually and the process doesn’t feel tedious.

I am rewarded with finding deeper layers of richness in the music.

Each year I see how far I’ve come, what all I have accomplished in the interim, and discover what new skills I’ve acquired.

Bible books

Reading the Bible can be like that too.

Start with a children’s version of a story, picture books are best, then seek out the scripture passage in the Bible. Don’t worry if you don’t understand the Bible version on the first read. Or if it feels boring to read.

If you keep coming back to it you’ll probably discover something new you didn’t notice before.

You’ll also acquire observation and study skills over time drawing out more of the treasure of what you are reading.

Keep coming back to the Bible. I think you’ll be glad you did.

What to look for when choosing a Bible

What to look for in a Bible

Choosing a Bible for someone? Maybe one for yourself? Here are a few hints of what to look for in a Bible.

The simple answer: readability.

The best Bible is the one you’ll want to read. The one that is easy to read. From translation (I’ll explain) to font size, to purpose of reading, we’ll look at key elements to consider when choosing a Bible.

Choosing a Bible translation or version

Translation or Version – The Bible was originally written in Hebrew, Greek, and a little Aramaic. It was eventually translated into English. Some translations are more literal, preserving original word order, and known as word for word translations. Others are translated into a more modern vernacular that some people find easier to read, and are described as thought for thought. Names of Bibles may include the word translation or version.

Examples of word for word are: New American Standard Bible (NASB), New King James Version (NKJV), English Standard Version (ESV)

New International Version (NIV) is between word for word and thought for thought.

Example of thought for thought: New Living Translation (NLT)

The Message is a paraphrase of the Bible.

How to compare translations

I find it helpful to compare translations or versions by choosing one passage in the Bible and looking at it in a few different translations. John 3:16 is a great verse to use for this comparison.

Psalm 23 works too, though many of us grew up hearing the King James Version with the Thees and Thous, so a comfort level with that translation may be based on familiarity of the cadence. Look at the passage with fresh eyes, seeking to understand what the text is saying. Comparing translations, which one do you most readily understand? Which words settle into your soul? That might be the translation that speaks to you.

The translations I use

On a personal note, I like ESV for Bible study, NIV and NLT for personal study, and the Message when I am truly lost in a passage. When I read the book of Leviticus I used a parallel Bible, which had NIV and the Message in side by side columns. I read the passages in NIV until I got stuck, then I looked across the column to see the wording in the Message.

Whichever translation you choose, pick the one you’ll be comfortable reading. After all, we’re choosing a Bible to read.

Choosing a font size

Font size – The Bible consists of a lot of words. It is the Word of God. All those words take up a lot of space. In order for the Bible not to be too big and cumbersome (though some are) often times the font size is really small. Unless you plan on using a magnifying glass each time you open it, you’ll want one with a font you can easily read.

Bible fonts are generally smaller than we think. Small is actually tiny, 8pt. Large is normal, 10pt.

When looking at a Bible, open it up and look inside. Ask yourself can I read the font? If you can’t read it comfortably, most likely you won’t read it.

Choosing a Bible size based on where you’ll use it

Book size – Location location location. Where will you be using your Bible? At home sitting in your favorite chair or at the table? Hardcovers lay flat on a table well. Taking it with you somewhere? A softcover, smaller, more compact or thin Bible might be your preference.

Choosing a Bible based on how you’ll use it

Features – How will you use your Bible? Read scripture passages? Study more deeply? As a part of a devotional or quiet time? In a group study? Bibles may include features like study notes, scripture cross references, notes for personal application, devotional articles, or additional background information. If you have an idea how you’ll use your Bible, you can look for corresponding features.

If all of these ideas are new to you, don’t worry, you’ve come to the right place. Find your Bible. I’ll help you find your way around it.

How to survive the journey through Leviticus

The journey through Leviticus

Leviticus is one of my favorite books of the Bible, not because of the content, but because of what it represents. Someday I’ll write a book about Leviticus. In the meantime, I’ll point out some of the cool stuff and show you how to survive the journey through Leviticus.

Orientation

Leviticus, more than any other book of the Bible, most often feels like a long, disorienting and confusing dark tunnel. If Genesis and Exodus presented challenges, but we still persevered to make it through, Leviticus is often where we give up or quit. I want to help change this for you!

Open to Leviticus

I also want to challenge you to stick it out, bear with me, and challenge yourself to open to Leviticus and read something in it. Don’t worry I’ll provide guidance and some manageable (and hopefully) rewarding options. So let’s get started.

See the connections to Genesis and Exodus

Remember Exodus 2:1 the tribe of Levi? That’s where Leviticus gets its name. These are the instructions and procedures for the priests who came from the tribe of Levi. Levi was one of Jacob’s sons. (Genesis 35:23). Moses and his brother Aaron are from the tribe of Levi. Aaron is appointed by God to be a priest. (Exodus 28:1). See the connections between the first three books of the Bible?

Intro to Leviticus

Leviticus starts out with descriptions of several types of offerings found in the first five chapters.

Ch 1-5 The offerings: burnt, grain, fellowship, sin, guilt

The next several chapters are instructions for the priests, including Moses’ brother Aaron, with a bit of narrative included. Following that are rules and regulations for dealing with that which is considered unclean.

Chapter sixteen describes instructions for a ceremony for a specific day.

Ch 16 The Day of Atonement

The rest of Leviticus is instruction from the Lord. Each section begins, “The Lord said to Moses…”

The whole book ends with, “These are the commands the Lord gave to Moses at Mount Sinai for the Israelites.” Leviticus 27:34 New International Version (NIV)

Think of Jesus

Leviticus more than any other book of the Bible is one to look at, skim over, and constantly ask, “Is there something in here that makes me think of Jesus? Is there a story in the New Testament or a situation where some of these details come up again with Jesus in the picture?”

If you keep that in front of you, you will discover some of the most jaw-dropping, sacred moments in scripture.

Challenge

I feel so strongly about the significance of Leviticus that I want to issue a challenge. Choose the option that looks most manageable, the one that speaks to you. Then challenge yourself to try the one above it.

Read the book of Leviticus.

Skim the book of Leviticus and read a section that stands out to you.

Read all the chapter headings and subtitles.

Read chapter 1-5 and 16.

Read chapter 16.

Which will you choose?

The trouble of reading the Bible and one possible reason we don’t

Something that tripped me up early in my Bible reading days was feeling like I should understand it from day one, the moment I opened it. That’s like expecting to know everything about a person the minute we meet them. What’s the fun in that?

It’s one-sided and doesn’t require interaction to accomplish. No questions. No anticipation of hearing something new. Why would we want to come back and visit, see them again, if we knew (or thought we knew) everything about them?

Reviewing Stories

So what would happen if we revisited some of those Bible stories we remembered from childhood? What if we read them today, would we notice anything new about them?

How about Noah and the flood?

One thing I notice is that they are so much longer than any version I heard as a child. Noah’s story spans four chapters in Genesis: chapters 6-9. If you’re feeling bold, grab your Bible and skim Genesis 6-9. If you’re reading this on your lunch hour, then just take a moment to reflect on what you remember about the story of Noah.

Remembering stories

Sometimes the best thing we can do on this Bible journey is remember the stories we’ve heard from the Bible. Maybe let an image or a picture of the story come to mind. And if we remember where in the Bible we found the story, then we know where to come back to it if it’s mentioned elsewhere in scripture. (Hint: Noah’s name comes up again).

So for now I’ll just remember the story of Noah and the flood is found in Genesis, the first book of the Bible.