Reading and Living The Bible

Goal

To learn the basics of effective reading and living out of the bible

Grab

Fill in the blank: When I read the bible, I feel ___________.

Grace

Read James 1:22-25  “Do not deceive yourselves by just listening to His word; instead, put it into practice.  Whoever listens to the word but does not put it into practice is like a man who looks in a mirror and sees himself as he is.  He takes a good look at himself and then goes away and at once forgets what he looks like.  But whoever looks closely into the perfect law that sets people free, who keeps on paying attention to it and does not simply listen and then forget it, but puts it into practice – that person will be blessed by God in what he does.”

Liturgical Readings

There are three Scripture readings on Sundays and Solemnities. During most of the year, the first reading is from the Old Testament and the second reading is from one of the New Testament letters. During Easter Time, the first reading is taken from the Acts of the Apostles which tells the story of the Church in its earliest days. The last reading is always taken from one of the four Gospels.

In the Liturgy of the Word, the Church feeds the people of God from the table of his Word (cf. Sacrosanctum Concilium, no. 51). The Scriptures are the word of God, written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. In the Scriptures, God speaks to us, leading us along the path to salvation.

The Responsorial Psalm is sung between the readings. The psalm helps us to meditate on the word of God.

The high point of the Liturgy of the Word is the reading of the Gospel. Because the Gospels tell of the life, ministry, and preaching of Christ, it receives several special signs of honor and reverence. The gathered assembly stands to hear the Gospel and it is introduced by an acclamation of praise. Apart from Lent, that acclamation is "Alleluia," derived from a Hebrew phrase meaning "Praise the Lord!" Ref: USSB

Listening to God’s Word

            A. Look Intently – “…the man who looks intently into the perfect law…”

                        LOGOS – “the truth”

                        RHEMA – “personal word”

            B. Keep on looking Intently – “…and continues to do so…”

            C. Remember what you looked at – “…not forgetting what he has heard…”

A few suggestions for daily Scripture reading and living out:

1. Use the Liturgical Daily Scripture Reading Guide. Gospel, First reading and Psalm during week days, Gospel, First Reading, Second Reading and Psalm during Sundays and Days of Solemnities. 

2. Know “Where You Are” before you read the Bible.  Know the Questions of your heart and pose them before the Lord.

3. Always read the Bible with this question at the bottom of your heart:  “What is God telling me today?” Pray: Lord grant me the grace to hear your voice. Speak to me Lord, your Servant is listening.

4. Use your Bible: Be free to underline, put question marks, exclamation points, and actual phrases in the Bible.

5. Write a prayer to the Lord after reading the Bible.  Write comments, reflections, and questions – especially God’s Rhema “Personal Word” for the day.

6. Always read the text in context. You may use the foot notes or read the whole chapter to understand the context. Do not just fish for verse(s)

7. Spend few moments of silence before God’s presence after reading the scriptures 

8. Application in your daily life. You may set a concrete action plan or a challenge for the day

Live The Word by reading and living out the Bible. “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says!” James 1:22  

Gather

Share a personal Word of God that he has been revealing to you lately. How will you consistently read and live the bible daily? 

Go Forth

This Easter Season, be consistent in reading the bible, practicing silence and writing your daily personal Word of God.

Give

God is Generous and in response, let us be good stewards by consistent Spiritual Giving, our tithing. 

For Tithes Remittance of NCR Members: bit.ly/mfctithes