It should go without saying that regular Bible reading is a great practice for any Christian. But at the same time, Bible reading is not the same thing as Bible comprehension. In order to comprehend what we are reading, we have to think about it.

Most of us have looked over our tax returns before. But to really understand how a tax return works, you have to think about it. You have to read slowly, and think “What does this number mean?” “Where did we pull this number from?” “What numbers are being added up here?” etc.

It would be easy for us to open up our church bulletin and read the sentence “Please pray for those who are sick of this congregation.” But to really comprehend the sentence, and it’s humor, you have to reread it slowly and think about it.

It would be one thing to read through Acts 2. But it would be another thing to really think about Peter’s sermon. What was it about Peter’s sermon that causes people to be cut to the heart? Where did each of his scripture references come from? Why did he quote from those particular scriptures? What was the point he was making from those scriptures? What does the word “repent” mean? What does the word “baptize” mean? How is repentance and baptism connected to forgiveness of sins? What is the gift of the Holy Spirit? Why is this important? etc.

Don’t just read your Bible. Think about it.

I will meditate on your precepts,
And fix my eyes on your ways.

Psalm 119:15