{"id":266033,"date":"2025-02-25T12:01:16","date_gmt":"2025-02-25T19:01:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.navigators.org\/?post_type=resource&p=266033"},"modified":"2025-04-09T10:53:22","modified_gmt":"2025-04-09T16:53:22","slug":"abc-bible-reading-method","status":"publish","type":"resource","link":"https:\/\/www.navigators.org\/resource\/abc-bible-reading-method\/","title":{"rendered":"ABC Bible Reading Method"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

If you need a new way to approach your daily quiet time<\/a> with the Lord, the ABC Bible Reading Method is a great place to start.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is the ABC Bible Reading Method?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The ABC Bible Reading Method consists of an acronym that models how we can approach the Scriptures and our relationship with God: A<\/strong>sk Questions, B<\/strong>est Verse and C<\/strong>ommit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why should I use the ABC Bible Reading Method?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There are many Bible reading plans and studies<\/a> and different tips on how to study the Bible<\/a>. Simply put, this is just another way! If you\u2019re feeling stuck in your Bible reading, the ABC Bible Reading Method can help jumpstart your daily quiet time and get you excited about reading the Word.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How do you use the ABC Bible Reading Method?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

You can use the ABC Bible Reading Method for any passage in the Bible you wish to study during your daily quiet time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s use a passage from the New Testament as an example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cCome to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.\u201d <\/em>Matthew 11:28-30<\/em> (<\/em>NIV)<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

A<\/strong>sk Questions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Asking questions about what you are reading allows you to approach the Scriptures with curiosity, regardless if you\u2019ve read that passage for the first or the hundredth time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The following is a list of sample questions you can ask yourself and God, with example answers using the passage from Matthew 11:<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t

Who is saying this? To whom? Why?<\/strong><\/p>\n\t\t\t

<\/span><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\n

Jesus is preaching to the crowds in the towns of Galilee.<\/em><\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n

\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t

What was the writer\u2019s intent in saying this to his original audience?<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\t\t\t

<\/span><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\n

Written by Matthew, Jesus had just declared to the crowds that He is His Father\u2019s Son, and those that come to Him weary and burdened will find rest for their souls.<\/em><\/em><\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n

\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t

What was that audience thinking when they heard the message?<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\t\t\t

<\/span><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\n

Many believe Jesus\u2019 words, including His disciples, but some did not, including nearly all Pharisees who were likely offended.<\/em><\/em><\/em><\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n

\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t

What is the main point in this passage?<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\t\t\t

<\/span><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\n

Jesus isn\u2019t speaking of physical burdens, but of the oppressive spiritual ones laid upon them by the religious order at the time. Jesus was offering rest and a different \u201cyoke\u201d of repentance and faith in Him. He would fulfill the Law and change their hearts so that they would be able to truly love God and neighbor rather than just following the Law with their actions.<\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n

\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t

What is God saying to me here?<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\t\t\t

<\/span><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\n

God wants me to lay aside religion and have a relationship with Him, because Jesus is the only one who is perfectly righteous and is able to carry my sins and pay for them.<\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n

\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t

What can I apply to my life today from this passage?<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\t\t\t

<\/span><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\n

Living by faith in Jesus is much more freeing and restful than trying to be self-righteous by my own actions.<\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

B<\/strong>est Verse<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A \u201cbest verse\u201d is that one particular verse in the passage you\u2019ve read that appears to be highlighted and narrows your focus on the big lesson or truth you believe God is revealing to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Example: <\/strong>\u201cFor my yoke is easy and my burden is light.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

As you go about your day, try to mentally and spiritually return to that \u201cbest verse.\u201d Perhaps you reread the passage again, write it down on a notecard or journal, and take a few seconds to talk with God about it. Then, listen. The Holy Spirit will often bring to mind that \u201cbest verse\u201d in the middle of your day or during an unexpected situation and reveal to you how it can be applied with His wisdom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

C<\/strong>ommit<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the end of your Bible reading, ponder the different areas of your life and choose a particular one \u2014 or some part of your upcoming day \u2014 that you will commit to God. You may decide to commit your finances, relationships, or career to the Lord, or more specifically a test, sales call, presentation, or a meeting with a particular person.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Example: <\/strong>Lord, I commit my relationships to You. I know I can never measure up, but by laying down my burdens at Your feet, I know that You will show me the way and give me Your rest in return.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Think again about that \u201cbest verse\u201d and how it resonates with your life. Again, commit that to God.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Example: <\/strong>Lord, thank You that Your yoke is easy and Your burden is light. I commit everything to You.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Committing to the Lord means you choose to submit to Him and His will with a humble posture of your heart, and then act with obedience. You can commit to God with short, simple prayers throughout the day:<\/p>\n\n\n\n