Organizing to Read the Bible
I enjoy cooking shows – the ones where you really learn something and come away with recipes that sound amazing. Lately, I’ve been watching the Jamie Oliver Channel. From England, he burst onto the British scene around the beginning of the 21st century, when he was in his early twenties.
What does this have to do with how to read the Bible? I’ll get there.
Raised by a chef, Jamie Oliver infused new life into the British kitchen, teaching how to cook food in fresh, new and interesting ways. He started a campaign to revamp school lunches, making them more delicious, more nutritious, and easier to prepare. Lest people think that he despised his heritage, he unearthed ancient, regional recipes, and convinced restaurants and pubs to once again serve these time-tested delicacies.
Preparation is the Key
When he begins his “30-Minute Meals” show, he makes a point right at the beginning that you have to get your 30-minute hat on. That means: the hot water kettle is heating, the pans are on the stove, the oven is “on full whack,” the cutting board and knives are out, the food processor is ready to go, and a chilled bowl is in the freezer. Then the clock starts to tick, and in 28-29 minutes, he serves an attractive, yummy dinner that his film crew devours. I wish we had “smell-a-vision!”
Which brings me to reading and studying the Bible.
Just as our bodies need nourishing food on a semi-regular timetable, so, too, our souls and minds need spiritual nourishment. The Bible is particularly nourishing to our souls because it was given to us by the God who also created us.
Metaphors for God's Word
Consider these verses:
“. . . Man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by everything that proceeds out of the mouth of the Lord” (Deuteronomy 8:3).
Jesus said, “I am the bread of life” (John 6:48).
“How sweet are Your words to my taste! Yes, sweeter than honey to my mouth!” (Psalm 119:103).
“The judgments of the Lord are true; they are righteous altogether. They are . . . sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb” (Psalm 19:9-10).
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they shall be satisfied” (Matthew 5:6).
Jesus said, “. . .. If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink” (John 7:37).
“O God, You are my God; I shall seek you earnestly; my soul thirsts for You, my flesh yearns for You, in a dry and weary land where there is no water” (Psalm 63:1).
Preparation is the Key
So, if God’s word is food and water to my soul, how can I prepare a regular diet of it so that I will have a healthy soul?
Time is premium. If you have 30 minutes in which to read your Bible, you need to prepare ahead of time for that 30-minute block. You don’t want to waste 10 minutes hunting for your Bible, your notebook, your glasses, your coffee cup, your reading plan, and your pen.
Plan ahead where you are going to read:
- The bedroom? Make the bed in the morning.
- The car? Know where your keys are.
- Your study? Wow! There are a lot of distractions there, but maybe it’s the quietest place to read.
- The kitchen table? Keep it cleared off. Teach others in your family to clear their things away.
Then place your Bible, notebook, a couple pens (in case one runs out of ink!), and your reading or study plan nearby. You can find reading and study plans on the navigation bar at the top of this page.
Give these things a nice home – perhaps an attractive box or a regular place on a shelf. If you like a hot drink with your Bible study, prep that earlier in the day or the night before, so all you have to do is grab a mug and push a button.
I like tea, and I do my study on the kitchen table. The electric kettle is three steps away, the teabags are in the drawer under the kettle, and the mugs are on the shelf above the kettle. The honey and spoons are next to the kettle. My only hang-up would be if I forgot to fill the water filter pitcher. (Our well water tastes like sulfur! I’m so glad God’s “water” is sweet!)
Jamie Oliver is able to throw together a 30-minute meal because of intentional preparation. Now you can sit down and enjoy the spiritual meal that you have intentionally prepared.