The Absolute BEST Way to Read the Bible (And Most Don’t Do It)

To experience true spiritual transformation and move beyond surface-level reading, believers must approach the Bible prayerfully, actively inviting the Holy Spirit, who is the author of Scripture, to guide the process. The sources outline a four-step prayer strategy—Thank, Teach, Transform, and Remind—that shifts Bible reading from a duty into a powerful, life-changing encounter with Jesus Christ.

This approach emphasizes that reading the Bible is not merely processing information; it is hearing from God himself.

1. Thank Me, Holy Spirit: Cultivating Gratitude and Obsession

The first step in approaching the Word is expressing gratitude for the privilege of receiving divine revelation. This practice counters the common tendency to trade the profound value of Scripture for distractions like social media, entertainment, or extra rest.

• A Unique Privilege: Believers often forget the great advantage they have in receiving God’s instructions for everyday living, which leads to living a life in the favor of God.
• Response to Persecution: The sources encourage remembering persecuted brothers and sisters who risk their lives just for possessing a portion of the Scripture, fostering a deeper sense of honor and gratitude for the Word.
• Beyond Emotion: While enthusiasm is good, discipline is better. The most effective approach, however, is obsession, which only the Holy Spirit can instill.
• Scriptural Delight: The goal is to delight in God’s commands and meditate on His decrees, allowing His promise to be the believer’s only hope, reviving and comforting them in all their troubles.

2. Teach Me, Holy Spirit: Acknowledging Dependence

Despite being scholarly or intelligent and understanding the historical or cultural context of the Scriptures, believers still need the Holy Spirit’s help. Since the Holy Spirit inspired every word and authored the Bible through human vessels, no one understands the book better than He does.

• The Author is Present: When reading, believers should recognize they are not alone; the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Jesus, is sitting right beside them.
• A Request for Revelation: Praying “Teach me, Holy Spirit” is an acknowledgment of dependence, requesting divine revelation. This opens spiritual eyes and ears, causing the believer to receive that which is heavenly.
• The Power of Scripture: All Scripture is inspired by God (God-breathed) and is useful to teach what is true, show what is wrong, correct mistakes, and teach right actions. God uses it to equip His people to do every good work.

3. Transform Me, Holy Spirit: Beholding the Face of Jesus

The third prayer focuses on internal change and transformation. The Word of God is likened to a mirror. Many believers look at their reflection, walk away, forget what they saw, and never make any necessary changes, leading to stagnation in their spiritual life or being stuck in sinful habits.

• Transformation Through Reflection: When reading the Word, believers are looking at Jesus and catching a glimpse of His face. The Holy Spirit uses this revelation of the glory of the Lord to make believers more and more like Him as they are changed into His glorious image.
• You Become What You Behold: You are transformed into what you obsess over. The intensity of attention and the surrender of the mind during reading are the point of transformation.
• Yielding to Conviction: The Holy Spirit convicts the believer when their thoughts, attitudes, or lifestyle contradict the truth seen in the Bible. Instead of hardening the heart or dismissing the contradiction, the believer must yield and humbly say, “Transform me, Holy Spirit”. The flesh will fight hard, craving what it wants, so approaching prayerfully and humbly is necessary.
• Freedom is in the Spirit: Wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

4. Remind Me, Holy Spirit: Hiding the Word in the Heart

The final stream of prayer involves asking the Holy Spirit to remind the believer of the truths they have received. The Holy Spirit’s role as the Father’s advocate and representative is specifically to teach everything and remind believers of everything Jesus has told them.

• Intaking the Truth: The Holy Spirit cannot remind a believer of a truth they have not received. Therefore, believers must actively intake the Word by reading it, listening to sermons, and receiving teachings.
• Applying the Fruit: This prayer is highly practical, focusing on areas of weakness, such as being patient or kind. The believer must hold onto the Word and not let the treasure fall far away from their mind as they go about daily living.
• Protection Against Sin: Hiding the Word in the heart is crucial so that the believer might not sin against God. The Holy Spirit reminds the believer of these truths to ensure they have spiritual strength, vitality, and life more abundantly.

Partnering with the Kingdom: The Biblical Principle of Sowing

The sources emphasize that honoring the receiving of the Word through giving finances is a 100% biblical principle that the church needs to recapture.

• Honoring Teachers: Those who are taught the Word of God should provide for their teachers, sharing all good things with them. This financial support is seen as a real debt owed, especially since receiving spiritual blessings.
• Sowing Where You Grow: Believers are encouraged to sow where they have received the Word, ensuring the Kingdom of God continues to advance. This generous giving, done cheerfully and with a good attitude, establishes a spiritual ecosystem.
• Blessing and Flow: God blesses believers to bless others. Sowing requires stepping out in faith, and establishing committed monthly gifts brings stability to ministries.