Reading Your Bible: A Holy Practice Leading To Holy Habits

By Pastor Ron Tipton

Yesterday, we looked at reading the Bible as a holy practice that leads to holy habits that result in holy living.  Psalm 34:8 tells us, “Taste and see that the Lord is good!  Blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!” Psalm 119 is written by stanzas using each letter of the Hebrew alphabet.  Each stanza holds up the Word of God to the reader as imperative for holy living.  

For example, Psalm 119:9-11, “How can a young man cleanse his way?  By taking heed according to Your word.  With my whole heart I have sought You; oh, let me not wander from Your commandments!  Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You.  Blessed are You, O Lord!  Teach me Your statutes.  With my lips I have declared all the judgments of Your mouth.  I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies, as much as in all riches.  I will meditate on Your precepts, and contemplate Your ways.  I will delight myself in Your statutes; I will not forget Your word.”  If you need further encouragement to immerse yourself in the Word of God, read a stanza of Psalm 119 each day to remind you of the impact and transformation possible as you devour God’s Word day by day.  

I mentioned in the sermon, I would relate how to use the questions we learned earlier in life.  These are the questions I ask as I read and study Scripture.

Who was it originally written to

Where did this happen 

When did this happen

What were the events and circumstances of the time

Why would God interact and include this in His Word

How do I see the work, plan and purpose of God occurring in these verses – how is Jesus or the need of a Messiah revealed in these verses 

How does this then apply to me today in order that I might understand and develop holy practices that lead to holy habits and enable holy living.

Now some of you might wonder and ask how or where do I learn the answers to some of these questions.  This is where the need for individual and group study work hand in hand – enable you to learn and share information to grow and help others in the same way. 

Many times it seems easier to simply use commentaries and other resources to answer all the questions.  One of the principles I learned long ago and share with others today is “Buried treasure you dig and find is far more memorable and treasured than whatever someone just gives to you.”  I have been asked numerous times to simply answer a question about the Bible without asking questions first.  I cannot, for the above principle drives my desire to see others learn to study and understand the Bible without me.  So hopefully you will understand the reason I ask questions to answer questions.  

Whatever system of study you use to read the Bible, remember the purpose isn’t to fill in all the blanks, simply finding answers to all the questions, or checking the boxes.  Your goal is transformation to holiness (godliness) so that you might have life and have it abundantly – life like God intended.  And in doing so, you grow in your relationship with Christ, becoming deeper and wider.  And if you remember from the sermon, it will reorient your taste buds for the things of God.