How to read the biblical text?

In this article I want to present some practical and useful tips for reading the biblical text that will be useful for the reader when he will study the Bible alone or in group, and when he will preach from the pulpit.

1. Choose to read aloud

Whenever I have this option, I choose to read the Bible aloud and if it is needed, to not bother others I go to another room. Why do I do this? Because in this way I memorize better the Word of God and exclude the fugitive reading and do not lose sight of the important details. All along, I keep and I develop a good diction as a preacher.

2. Take your time to read

In all things, as the saying is ”the more haste the less speed”, but when reading God’s Word in a hurry one overlooks many important details. Moreover, all details of the Word of God are extremely important. I have sometimes seen how some people, especially children, want to impress the adults and begin to read so quickly that at every two or three words they make a mistake, need to have a break and repeat the phrase, or take it from the beginning. The result of such a reading is that neither the one who reads nor the listeners understand many things.

3. Do not ignore intonation

Especially in small Bible study groups, I sometimes saw that even some leaders despise the intonation when reading the Biblical text. By this way of reading, a wrong message is transmitted to listeners that allows to understand that it is not so important the Word of God. Remember that this is God’s Word and it has to be transmitted as from God and before Him.

In the first epistle, the Apostle Paul wrote to his disciple Timothy so:

Until I come, give attention to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation and teaching. (1 Timothy 4:13)(NASB)

And to Titus, another disciple of his and servant in the Gospel, the Apostle wrote:

In all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified, sound in speech which is beyond reproach, so that the opponent will be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us. (Titus 2:7-8)(NASB)

What experiences can the reader share in this regard?

Translated by Felicia Rotaru