Do you ever wonder why some people can read the Bible over and over and never get tired of reading it.  They read the Bible two, three or more times and can’t wait to get started again.  It is because we have a God that makes us hungry for what the Bible has to offer.  Another reason is that there are many levels of understanding.  None of these levels are more important than the other level.  he levels are just different.  I have a list.  There may be more levels.  Here are the levels that I can think of now.

One level is to read the Bible as a novel.  The writing style is so rich.  The poetry is studied by both Christians and non Christians for its style.  This is why there are college courses in studying the Bible as literature.  Reading the Bible as prose or poetry is a truly rich rewarding experience.

Another level is reading the Bible as a  daily devotional.  There are so many varieties.  One is where you read the Bible in a single year.  Others is when they provide a verse or two and they talk about it.  The purpose of this style of reading is that this gives you a focus for the day.  Through this one learns about the Bible a little at a time,  This gives you a positive point of way of looking at things to counter the negativity we get through television, other media, from yourself or even from each other.

Still another level of ingesting the Bible is through a sermon.  The pastor, priest or a knowledgeable person will usually introduce a passage or several passages of the Bible as part of the sermon.  He will provide an explanation along with a life lesson based on his background and education.

Still another way that was used commonly in the first two or three centuries is call Lectio Divina or divine reading.  The original purpose was to ensure the people who could not read would at least hear and be able to talk on the different scriptures.  A group of people would get together.  One would read the scripture.  Then they all would pray about it asking from God further clarification.  A short sermon would be preached.  Then the people would sit around in an open forum to discuss the scripture.  This process is not strict in format.  For instance the steps could be performed in a different order or a step may be performed twice.  The intent is to have an encounter with God as a group and to develop a better understanding of scripture.

Another process is Bible study.  The Bible study may consists of a topic where one goes from scripture to scripture finding out the overall interpretation on what the Bible stands for.  The other way Bible study is presented is by studying one of the 66 Books in the Bible.  This way one learns why a passage of the Bible is place there and  how the adjacent passages explain the scripture more thoroughly.   This usually includes several students having a group discussion and a knowledgeable person running the discussion.

Still another level of learning the Bible is through meditation.  Many people when meditating will have on hand a Bible, Bible dictionary, a pen and a  piece of  paper to write down any inspiring revelations one might receive.  You sit down using good posture (I have fallen asleep more times than I would like to admit).

The last means of knowing the Bible is through contemplation.  This is not recognized by many Christians nowadays as a separate way of learning .  Usually contemplation and meditation are described as interchangeable words.  The true sense of the words they are not.  In meditation you invite God to be in our focus.  In contemplation God is inviting you in.  When reading the old church leaders would call it “prayer without words”.  No words need to be said.  Sometimes more can be said without words.  It does help to have a strong knowledge of scripture but not necessary.  The knowledge of scripture is needed to keep you straight ahead -not to the left or right.   It is usually an interchange of love where God is showing you His love and he is giving you the capacity to show God the type of love he deserves.

This is a very abbreviated list of ways to read the Bible.  Whole books have been written on technique and experiences while diving into the Bible.  I did not reveal my experience  with the scriptures.  I would be glad to interchange experiences with different people.  Remember there is no way one can separate Jesus from God the Father.  They are two persons of the same God.  Also it is impossible to separate scripture from Jesus.  Just read chapter one of the book of John.  That means as you get closer to scripture you get closer to God.