Are you a fast reader? Sometimes that may be good thing, helping you through the portions of scripture where rapid reading may be just as good—or better—than slow reading. (For example, the first nine chapters of 1 Chronicles.) But other times reading too quickly may cause you not to engage the text.
Let’s say you are studying Paul’s letter to the Colossians. It is important to get the big picture before getting bogged down in particular passages. My suggestion is to read it through quite rapidly in one sitting. Try to take in: the flow of the book, the major themes, recurrent ideas or phrases, the “feel” of the scriptures, and so forth. If you were reading Colossians (four chapters), you could do a rapid reading, or even a skimming through, in one to three minutes. Then go back and read it again more slowly. As you notice how each passage relates to the whole, you will come to appreciate the book in a whole new light.
In general, the best advice is not to rush. Find a time where you are not harried and distracted by other concerns, when you can devote sufficient time to Bible study to get something from your reading.
Remember to pray before you begin your study. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal God’s word to you in fresh and exciting ways. Pray that your eyes would be opened to what the text really says.
Understand that we all come into any situation with pre-concieved notions, biases, and prejudices (pre-judgements) about a situation. Ask that the Lord to give you insight into what these are and that He will help you get beyond what you THINK you know and into the true knowledge He wants you to have. Pray for wisdom, discernment, and the fear of the Lord.
Remember that Jesus is the Word of God, and that the Word is living and powerful (John 1:1, Heb. 4:12). If you approach your Bible Study as getting to know Jesus better, you will gain a deeper appreciation for what Scripture has to say.
