Both Breadth and Depth

Great Bible teachers need to study the Bible in both breadth and depth. This takes intentionality. I recommend you create "seasons" of study where you focus on either breadth or depth.

Breadth. There is a terrific need just to read large amounts of Scripture. Many people think reading the Bible in a year is "God's design for great Christians." If the Bible is truly the coolest, most wonderful book in the history of the world (and it is!), then pour yourself into it and read it in 30-40 days. It will take you about 2-3 hours a day. But I guarantee you that you'll never be the same.

Write me at beboldgentle@yahoo.com if you'd like a reading plan to do this. Free.

The key principles for breadth of study are

• work through large sections of the Bible or the whole Bible, fairly quickly
• look for God's big themes, and how things connect through the Bible
• be intentional to keep going -- don't get stalled in details (just note them, so you can come back later for another study)

Depth. You will never exhaust the depth of the Scriptures. Read a short book like Ephesians every day for a month, and keep notes on what you learn. Keep going even if it seems dry for a couple of days. Spend 10 days in Romans 12. Look up all the cross-references to a passage or verse that grips you. Check it out in multiple translations (use BibleGateway to make this easy). Read the passage out loud -- it slows you down and you will hear new things. Play the "Not" game - what does the verse NOT say?

The key principles for depth of study are

• repetition -- go after understanding again and again, confident that the Lord has more to teach you
• reflection and meditation -- let it dwell in you richly

And always pray for God's guidance as you study, both breadth and depth. Your aim is to know the living Word, not be a dry, dusty, life-choked theologian.

Be bold, be gentle, and enjoy God's Word. It is His Word to you, today.