What’s The Big Deal About Reading The Bible, Anyway?
The Bible can feel extremely intimidating. It’s ancient. It’s confusing. It’s huge. Maybe I should just leave it up to the experts to read it for me, you might be tempted to think.
I get it. I didn’t grow up opening my Bible. And when I saw people with their own Bible it felt weird and dare I say—strangely irreverent. I had seen the bible in church in it’s special and holy place. It was sacred and reserved. It wasn’t just toted around by any old Joe, let alone highlighted and underlined and written in.
But then I thought I’d just give it a try. My curiosity about the ancient text led me to start reading it myself. I was really amazed by how much I liked learning for myself, first hand, about who God is. And who I am. And what the grand story about God’s redemption plan was all about.
When I began reading the Bible it began changing me.
So let me give you three reasons why reading the Bible on your own can be life changing (which will in turn change your marriage):
- You get to know God.
I started in the Psalms and I was blown away by the honesty from the writers, as well as the truths about God’s character. The writers were asking for help, were frustrated, were thankful, and were overwhelmed. They were just like me.
The writers also told me what God was like: A Kind Provider, a Merciful Judge, a Generous King, a Gracious Father, a Caring Shepherd and so much more. My picture of God grew, expanded, and developed from reading even a little each day. And I continue to learn about God in different ways from His word.
- God’s word will change you into who you were designed to be.
All of us have this gap between our actual self and our ideal self. We long to be the kind of person that is kind, gracious, not easily angered and joyful. But that means we need to allow our hearts to continually be transformed by God Himself. Paul wrote, “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” -Romans 12:2 NLT
It is through God’s word that you will begin to understand who He is and who He has created you to be.
- You will gain wisdom, knowledge, and insight for living your life.
God’s word helps us understand how the world works. That it was created by God and called good. But now it’s broken and needs redemption at every turn. And that Jesus came to take the broken world and our broken selves and salvage them back to what He created them to be. His word gives us wisdom about how to live the good life. About what is valuable in God’s eyes. About what kind of person is the joy-filled one. And His word tells us what doesn’t work, either. Practical application of how to be the parents, wives, daughters, and friends He created us to be.
Wife Step: If you don’t have a Bible, email info@awifelikeme.com and we’d be happy to send you one. If you simply need a place to start, ask God to speak to you, and then open your Bible to Psalm and read a Psalm (one chapter) a day. After you read, grab a journal and write down what you learn about God’s character, what questions you have, what you learn about yourself, and what wisdom you find. Enjoy!
Amy graduated from BGSU in 2001 and married her college sweetheart, Rob, one week later. Amy worked in the college ministry of Cru from 2003 to 2015–8 of those years she served as Team Leader. Since 2003 she has regularly blessed the Cru staff, students, and BGSU Greek life with her exceptional speaking, teaching, leading, and mentoring abilities. In June of 2015, Amy brought her experience to the Brookside Staff Team as Director of Outward Movement. In November of 2017, Amy wrote her first book on motherhood titled “Chin Up: Wearing Grace, Strength, and Dignity When Motherhood Unravels Our Souls.” Amy loves anything athletic and competitive, especially tennis and Spikeball, and in her words she “really tries to believe that winning isn’t everything. But, that’s hard.” Amy also enjoys creating things, decorating, and helping others make beautiful spaces. Amy and Rob have three amazing kids ranging from 3 to 10 years old.
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