Familiarity with the entirety of Scripture is essential to those called to preach it. For this reason, ministers should be reading through the Bible at least once annually, if not more frequently. There are at least four benefits to the preacher who reads through the entire Bible regularly and devotionally:
- We’re challenged to see the bigger picture of redemption. In my earlier years of preaching, I was a bit nearsighted in my weekly expositions. I understood the importance of studying a passage in its immediate book context, but was not as careful to interpret the passage in its canonical context. As a result, my preaching often failed to emphasize the wider, comprehensive theme of redemption culminating in the gospel. In more recent years, I have discovered regularly reading through the entire Bible helps me see that theme more quickly and preach it more effectively.
- We’re reminded of a greater amount of content. The emphasis here is on the word “reminded.” After many years of preaching, I am discovering the unfortunate truth that, at least for some of us, memory fades. As time marches on, immediate recall of biblical chapters, verses, names, and texts becomes a greater challenge. Regularly reading through the entire Bible helps keep more of its content fresh and vivid.
- We’re nourished by a broader diet of teachings. Christians grow spiritually by regularly taking in the nourishment of God’s Word (1 Peter 2:2). When we read through the entirety of Scripture on a regular basis, we enjoy a healthy, balanced diet of biblical teaching. On the other hand, we deprive ourselves of other teachings that also feed our soul when we focus upon only a select number of passages or biblical books.
- We’re equipped with a larger storehouse of material. Regularly reading through the entire Bible equips pastors with a wealth of material to supplement weekly preaching. Often what we read devotionally throughout the week finds its way into the sermon in order to better explain or illustrate the preached passage.
Pastors: What is your devotional practice of Bible reading, and what would you add to this discussion?
