I’m not certain of how many times I have read through the Bible in my lifetime so far, but I have done so quite a few times. It is God’s awesome Word… to us and for us. Some of it is hard to get through, but it is all there for a reason. I try to supplement my “Through the Year” Bible study with personal devotional reading so that I don’t get stuck in a rut of just going through the motions of reading it for the sake of reading it.
I want God’s Word to stay fresh and alive in my heart instead of dull and meaningless. That’s what will happen if I just read it and do not apply it to my life. What good is reading the Bible if you don’t use the wisdom and guidance that He provides and obey His instructions? You are wasting your time otherwise.
I would say the same thing about going to church. I believe that regular attendance and fellowship is a critical part of our spiritual walk with God. Take notes from the message, write down the scripture references, and apply what you learn there as well. God will speak to your heart through your pastor’s message if you will tune in and pay attention. Give God’s Word your full attention and apply it to your life!
2 Timothy 3:16 (NLT) - “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.”