How many hours should we read the word?

[PeterJ]

Hi

I know if we read to much a day we can get tied of reading to much.
I do love reading the bible.
How many hours should we read a day?

I tend to have it mixed thoughout the day.
I get tied of it sometimes even though i don't want to stop.


Peter

[Kaky]

I am sure God doesn't care how long you read. He probably likes it the more you do. I don't think there is any limit.
I don't read it enough.
I wish I had your ambition. with five kids I seem to always be pickingup toys and washing their clothes.
Keep up your good work.

[Doug222]

I will probably have a minority opinion here, but what's new? I happen to think that it is possible to spend too much time reading the Bible. The Jesus said,

John 5 (KJV)
39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.

John 5 (NIV)
39 You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me,

There is no life found in Bible Study. You study the Bible in order to meet the Life Giver. Then, you must go out and actually live life. If you don't have an appropriate balance, it is possible to hide behind the scriptures and miss the abundant life that God has called you to. Many a spouse has become a widow (or child become an orphan) to obsessive Bible study--besides the fact that it is a terrible witness. This does not edify Christ. I speak as one who is prone to this type of compulsion.

I certainly am not downplaying the importance of Bible study, but I want to present the other side of the equation.

Doug

[TorC]

Is it wrong to not read the Bible often, even if you have a very personal relationship with Christ?

[Follower]

Doug222,

With all do respect, I believe you have yanked John 5.39 right out of its context. Jesus immediately goes on to say, "But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life". Now, if you are speaking to a crowd who has already rejected the gospel, and is seeking any and every way to murder you (the correct context), maybe this verse could be used as you have used it. But, let's look at what I believe is the correct teaching from Scripture:

"And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates", Deuteronomy 6.6-9

"This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success", Joshua 1.8

"Your word I have hidden in my heart,
That I might not sin against You!", Psalm 119.11

And so on...

Acts 2.42 gives the dynamic ingredients for the Church, "and they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers". Without any of these four ingredients, there can be no vibrant witness or service. Please notice that "they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine", or Bible study, is the first ingredient listed.

PeterJ, here are two simple ways to gauge your Bible reading and study time. First, as a minimum, invest the same amount of time reading the Bible as you do eating every meal. If you eat physically, eat spiritually. Second, let God be in control of your schedule. Invest any free or unplanned time that you have in Bible reading. Most people have "idle" time during the day and the Bible teaches us to "redeem the time". If you tire of reading, put the Bible down and do something else. But, more likely, by reading more, God's Word will direct you to new ministries and works of service where you can enjoy the abundant life that the Lord has prepared for you.

May you both be blessed.

In Jesus' love,

Follower

“You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.”

[Doug222]

Follower,
I agree that the context is as you stated, however the principle remains. The scriptures are what introduces us to Christ. Part of the reason that the Pharisee's rejected Christ is because they became experts in the law (through Bible study), but were not acquainted with the one to whome the law and the prophets pointed. I am in no ways opposed to Bible study. However, I believe that it is a means and not an end.

I think you have stretched the context of several passages to make your point, and your instruction to Invest any free or unplanned time that you have in Bible reading. Most people have "idle" time during the day and the Bible teaches us to "redeem the time". If you tire of reading, put the Bible down and do something else. is akin to placing a yoke on Peter that I suspect that you do not place on yourself. The God that we serve is a God of moderation and temperance in all things--even spiritual things.

Peter's own description of his study habits (and the fact that he is even asking the question) suggests that his problem is not a lack of time in the Word.

Doug

[BadDog]

No, it is not wrong to read the Bible often. We all need to be encouraged to do this. In fact, I would venture to guess that 90% of us do not read, study or memorize it enough. Don't worry about doing it too much - unless you're doing it during work or ignoring your family & friends as a result.

I would like to encourage those on thislist who're new in Christ to consider starting a time in the morning in which you meet with God - before your day begins.

It should be short - 10 minutes is enough. It should basically be:
A prayer to ask God (sincerely) to lead you as you read,
followed by reading a short passage (1/2 a chapter is a good limit - less if you want to focus on digging deeper),
reflecting on what God is saying to YOU at that moment.
And some prayer & thoughts about application for the day.

Keep it simple. Keep it short. Make it deep, devotional, genuine, an expression of love to your Savior, seeking. Expect God to meet you there - to speak to you. (Not audibly, but to reach down to you & encourage you & guide you). God sincerely wants to meet with you & to get to know you.

Keep a dated journal - it helps you to be faithful, but don't let it become a mechanical time.

Such a time is often referred to as a devotional time, a quiet time, a morning watch... But make no bones about this: every man or woman who has impacted their world for Christ down through history has had such a commitment!

Even Christ did this. In Luke 5, after having had a tremendously efective teaching time, He withdrew into the hills to pray. The same thing appears in Mark 1:35 (I think that's the reference).

Mix things up - sing to the Lord during your morning watch if you enjoy singing. A friend of mine when reading an historical section (OT or gospels/Acts) used to pretend to be a TV announcer interviewing the characters in the scene he'd just read. Anything that makes the Word of God alive to you...

But such a time will help you become more familiar with theBible & to feel more comfortable praying. Remember, this is not some exercise - it's meeting with God. When we get busy, guess what tends to go first? You got it - this time does. Guess what Satan wants to keep us most from doing...

Spending too much time in the Word?! Hah! Don't worry about that.

BD

[7thwatch]

good stuff here guys.

I find it helpful to study the bible in the morning and in the night.

It helps to study in the morning because it focuses your mind on God to start the day off, making it much easier to keep it there for the rest of the day. I tend to do a more devotional style study in the morning.

In the evening, I like to do a more theological/beliefs type study. Dig out the good ol concordence and research a topic to the bitter end.

I don't think that there is a set time that you should study the bible for. Study for however long it takes you to get a firm hold on God. It will vary from time to time.

I also find it a good techinique to write down what you pray - then try listening for the voice of the Holy Spirit speaking to you and write down what you think he is trying to say to you (after all, prayer is supposed to be a conversation). For me, it helps to keep me from getting distracted and keeps my mind focused on God.

[BadDog]

7thwatch,

Great points.

BD

[DrRoi]

For me, the Bible was something I could not tear myself away from. The thrill of discovery, the inspiration, and most important, the faith that comes from the study of it. “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing (understanding) by the word of God.”

One can also listen to the Bible on CD or tape which is another excellent way to “hear” the word while you go about your daily business, especially those moms with kids, that way they are hearing it as well.

Another important factor is that reading or listening to the Bible is a way for God to speak directly to you. You can not always depend on the pastors, or other preachers to be correct all of the time. We are all subject to error, but more so, each of us has our own place that is best found through inspiration of the word.

As someone mentioned in a previous post, it keeps your mind on God allowing you to become more in touch with Him. This is the most important thing you can do, that is, to know God. The Bible is the best means that I am aware of to do this. So the more you read, listen, and hear the Scriptures, the better.

This is why the Scripture says to study the scriptures to show yourself approved. For in that study your heart is turned to God. It is not what you know as much as it is Who you know. We know that God is in us, but the scripture is a way for us to be In God.

[slightlypuzzled]

All the above are excellent points. I just add, as always, prayer, prayer and more prayer. Remember that good communication will help any relationship to grow.

[Krav]

I don't think you can read the word too much. The more the better IMO. I remember as a new believer I would just devour it in the morning, during my lunchbreak, in the evening and before bed.

Remember that reading and heeding (both must be in play) the word will transform your mind (Rom 12:2) and your conduct (Psalm 119:9).

Another thing reading the word plentifully does is it keeps you from doing other things that will quench the spirit in your life... things like watching the wrong kind of TV.

Ultimately, remember to be in a prayerful state as you read as though you were receiving direct instruction from Christ in Person, rather than "just reading pages in a book." If you approach it academically you will miss out on the real heart-transformation that will take place if you were to approach it spiritually.

Sometimes I stop and pray over every 2nd or 3rd verse as I'm reading and God's word is coming alive to me, personally. Sometimes it'll take me an hour to go through a single chapter! But, this is definitely a case of quality over quantity. The quantity will take care of itself through consistency. But, never sacrifice the quality.

[Joe King]

Read as much as you can! Satisfy your hunger for the truth. I did that when I first started reading and enjoyed every minute of it as the hours flew by!


I've been taking a break because sometimes I feel overloaded. I think my listening to Christian radio and reading Christian websites have something to do with it too. The key is to meditate on the word when you are not reading.

[Saved7]

I will probably have a minority opinion here, but what's new? I happen to think that it is possible to spend too much time reading the Bible. The Jesus said,



There is no life found in Bible Study. You study the Bible in order to meet the Life Giver. Then, you must go out and actually live life. If you don't have an appropriate balance, it is possible to hide behind the scriptures and miss the abundant life that God has called you to. Many a spouse has become a widow (or child become an orphan) to obsessive Bible study--besides the fact that it is a terrible witness. This does not edify Christ. I speak as one who is prone to this type of compulsion.

I certainly am not downplaying the importance of Bible study, but I want to present the other side of the equation.

Doug

I don't disagree, the book of proverbs says something about this too, it says that too much honey is not good, you could vomit.
IN other words, we can burn ourselves out, but by the same token, as much as we feel the need to read, then we ought to, and if we don't feel the need to read a particular day, we should read at least half a chapter or a few scriptures or something. Just gotta keep His word in us continually, and fill our heads, and hearts with it, so there is no room for the world in us.

[Frances]

I think the time spent reading the Bible is not important, but the time we spend gaining greater understanding of what we read is - as is whether or not we apply what we read to our daily lives.