I am embarrassed to admit this as a pastor, but my Bible reading is not always consistent. The time when I read the Bible most eagerly was during my university years, when I first encountered Jesus. As I became convinced that this was truly God’s word to me, I discovered truth within it, gained a broader understanding of the world, and felt genuine excitement each time I opened it.

However, after studying theology and spending many years reading and researching the Bible as a pastor, the text has become very familiar. Simply reading it no longer feels easy or fresh. Over time, I seem to have shifted more towards studying specific passages deeply and meditating on them. Yet because the Bible is so vast, some parts are forgotten, and there are sections I find myself neglecting. This has repeatedly reminded me of the importance of reading the Bible regularly and consistently.
This is my honest confession about Bible reading, and of course everyone’s experience will be different. Some people are deeply moved when they encounter passages they had never noticed before. Others may find the Bible difficult because they lack background knowledge and are unsure how to interpret what they read. Wherever we may be, one thing is clear: the Bible is God’s message to us, given by the Creator of this world. That fact alone makes it worthy of our time and attention.

With that in mind, I would like to share a few practical suggestions that may help as we read the Bible. Although the Bible is God’s word, it did not fall from heaven like the Quran. It was written in specific historical contexts, by particular people, for particular purposes. Therefore, it helps to approach it as we would any important historical text by asking questions such as, when was this written, by whom and why?

For this level of information, you can simply ask ChatGPT, which explains things very clearly. For example, “Who wrote Genesis, and when, and for what purpose?”, “How is the book of Genesis structured?”, “I hardly know the Bible, can you explain Genesis 1:1 at my level?”, and “Why do the creation accounts in Genesis 1 and 2 seem different?” You can ask whatever comes to mind. Think of ChatGPT as a very capable research assistant who searches libraries around the world and places the information you need directly on your desk within seconds.

While this intellectual exploration of Scripture can be fascinating, it is only the beginning. Something far more remarkable awaits us beyond knowledge: the experience of the Creator God speaking personally to us. This does not usually happen in dramatic or overwhelming ways, but often through gentle thoughts and quiet impressions in the heart. That is why, when we read the Bible, it is important to remain aware of the God who stands behind the text. You might think of the Bible as a great meeting place, where you sit down for a personal conversation, a kind of rendezvous, with God.

For this reason, it is helpful to pray before reading, “God, please speak to me today.” Singing a hymn beforehand can also prepare the heart. Reading the Bible slowly, and especially reading it aloud, can be very beneficial. When the words leave your body through your voice and return through your ears, your concentration deepens, distractions fade, and even your spiritual sensitivity can grow.

Rather than focusing on finishing a set amount of reading within a fixed time, our goal should be Bible reading that leads to genuine fellowship with God. At times, a passage may be difficult to understand, and that is fine. But when a verse seems to speak directly to your life, it is worth pausing and staying with it for a while. That moment may become not just a time of reading, but a time of prayer and dialogue with God.

It can also help to divide your reading into shorter, regular moments, perhaps in the morning and evening, or before going to bed. Each person should find a rhythm that works for them. What matters most is that we keep returning to Scripture and continue reading it faithfully, in our own way, over the long term. Let us each discover a routine that suits us, and keep walking steadily with God through his word.