READ AND APPLY THE WORD | KAIROS GLOBAL | MAY 2019

Author: Anita Skaria

Intro: Anita Skaria gives you a four-step method to read the Bible, daily.

We have probably asked this question, “Why do we have to read the Bible?” It seems like a big​ ​book with a bunch of things that doesn’t make much sense. The thing is, the Bible is the written Word of God, and it’s meant to help us live a life that makes Him happy. So whether we like it or not, reading the Bible is super important! It’s hard to sit quietly and read it when there are so many other fun things to do, and I totally get that. But taking the time to read the Bible will bring us closer to God, and it will help us live a good life here on earth. However, we’ll only be able to understand the Bible if we take the time to read it every day.

It’s good to spend at least 15 minutes a day reading and reflecting on the Bible. There are several ways to read it, and this is just one of them. Here are a few things you could do when reading the Bible:

1. Pray. ​Before we can start reading, we need to ask God for help, so that He can help us understand what we read. This is something some of us tend to avoid, since it seems to take extra time, but praying before we read is really important.

2. Read. ​Once we’re done praying, we can read any part of the Bible we choose. It could be a couple of passages related to some topic, one of the gospels, or even something that seems interesting. And when reading, we shouldn’t try to quickly rush through the passage—instead, we should take our time, so that what we read will really sink in.

3. Reflect. Next, a few minutes should be spent to silently think about what we just read. How do you think it fits into your life, and what do you think God is trying to tell you? This is probably the most important step since we are trying to understand what God is communicating to us.

4. Apply. ​The final and hardest step will be trying to APPLY what we have read. Don’t just run away after reading and reflecting on a passage! “But be doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive themselves” (James 1:22). Applying what we’ve read is an important part of our relationship with God. And although it’s hard to do what the Bible says—especially when we feel like doing the opposite—God will give us the strength to do the right thing

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So, if you were reading about forgiveness, try forgiving someone who has hurt you. If you’ve read about obedience, try listening to what your parents tell you to do without complaining. “Let the word of God dwell in you richly...” (Colossians 3:16).

If we regularly read and apply God’s Word every day, it has the power to change our lives and help us become better Christians. So let’s try our best to live up to God’s Word, and to spread His Word to everyone around us.

Anita Skaria, a 14-year-old home schooler, lives in Houston, USA, along with her seven younger siblings. She enjoys baking, playing the piano, and spending time with younger kids.