Does your Bible reading time sometimes feel flat or like the words are just letters on a page rather than the living breathing words of God? It’s an experience that many of us feel; either seasonally or even, if we’re really honest, quite often. One of the most helpful principles, and something that has really changed the way I approach my devotional time, came from this thought from Bill Johnson, senior pastor of Bethel Church in California.

It makes sense doesn’t it? The best way to read the words of God is to do it with God. Reading the Bible, with the Holy Spirit, rather than just like we read any other book, is a major key to transforming our relationship with the Bible. In fact, when Jesus says he is going to send the Holy Spirit, it’s for this very reason.

“But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me.” John 15:26

“When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.” John 16:13

For those of you who also need some practical tips, Pastor Bill also has some great advice in this next video:

To summarise some of the points he mentioned: 

• Read and then re-read
• Chart your journey and history throughout the Bible.
• Let the Bible interpret the Bible
• Don’t underline the whole verse; underline the part that spoke to you.

Reading the Bible can be so much more fulfilling and life-giving, when we approach it like the supernatural book that it is – rather than just an item on our Christian ‘to do’ list!