Lesson Four
THREE THINGS YOU MUST DO

You have come to the last lesson of this course. I am sure that the previous three lessons have been interesting and profitable to you—otherwise you would not have continued this far. Once again I must congratulate you for your efforts. This lesson deals with three practical aspects of the Christian life. As you regularly eat three meals a day to nourish your physical body, the three elements we are to study together are vitally related to a fruitful growing life in Christ, our Lord.

Chapter 1: Bible Study

Before we begin, I want to make one point very clear: with God's help and a little patience you will be able to understand the Bible as you read. First, read the Bible daily. It is food for your soul. Your soul must be fed every day—even more than your body requires daily food. If you let one day pass without reading His Word, your soul is starved and becomes weak. This will affect your faith, hope and love.

Do not read seven chapters on Monday morning and then go on without looking at the Bible for the rest of the week. Do you eat 21 meals on Monday and then go without food from Tuesday to Sunday? I suggest that you read one chapter every day. If the chapter has more than 40 verses—it is better to divide it into two days' portions.

The best time to read the Bible is in the morning hours—between the time you arise and breakfast. At this time your mind is clear, quiet and responsive.

Second, read the Bible systematically. Since each book in the Bible is distinctly different, it is not desirable for you to read here today and there tomorrow at random. I would like to outline the following for your beginning in Bible reading:
1. The Gospel of Mark;
2. The Gospel of John;
3. The Book of Acts;
4. Romans;
5. I Corinthians;
6. Galatians;
7. The Gospel of Luke & II Corinthians;
8. Ephesians, Philippians, Titus;
9. Colossians & I John;
10. The Gospel of Matthew & James; 11. I & II Timothy;
12. I & II Peter;
13. Hebrews;
14. Jude, Philemon, I, II & III John; 15. Revelation.

After reading through the New Testament in this manner, you may rearrange the order by yourself. If you read one chapter every day, you will read through the entire New Testament in only nine months!

Third, read the Bible with patience. There will be many terms and words difficult to pronounce or understand, and many unfamiliar expressions. You may be bored by the long list of strange names in the first chapter of the Gospel of Matthew.

Sometimes because you do not understand the meaning of particular words, the overall understanding becomes disconnected. But remember one thing: that this fact is natural—not to be looked upon as lack of zeal or desire on your part.

Because the Bible has continuity in its entirety, you will eventually come to understand in Romans, for example, what you did not understand while reading the Gospel of Luke. You need patience.

Fourth, read the Bible prayerfully. The Bible is not a monthly magazine or novel. It is a Book with power and inspiration to change and guide your life. There you will find God's way of life—and sometimes His will for you that very day in which you are reading a particular chapter.

It is only through the Bible you can know Christ. And unless you get to know Christ you cannot follow Him.

To be avoided at all costs is a casual, unconcerned approach to the Bible.

You feed your soul in reading His Word. So read your daily portion with a praying heart. Begin with prayer—brief as it may be. And as you read one verse after another, ask God to give you wisdom to understand the meaning. God never fails in this respect. When you are through don't just close the Book and rush to do something else. Meditate on the meaning of what you have just read.
Let it work into your heart and soul by quietly thinking and meditating upon His Word.

Fifth, read the Bible repeatedly. To say that you need not read further because you just finished reading the New Testament is like saying that you need no meals because you ate your breakfast! Besides, there are many truths and meanings in the Bible that cannot be understood by reading them through once. Many truths of God's Word will convey a different sense according to our age, circumstances and time. When you first read the 11th chapter of the Book of Hebrews—when you were young—you might not have understood the full meaning of "faith."

But it will bring you a very different and forceful meaning when you read it during or after some fiery trials or sufferings in your life.

You might just casually read through the verse, Romans 12:14, which says, "Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse." You could say to yourself—"That's not for me. I'm not that spiritual. It must be for some great man of love."

But there will be times in your life when you have to face some people who dislike you, falsely accuse you and even persecute you.

Reading the above verse at that time certainly will bring you great inspiration and a challenge that you did not feel when you first read it.

The Bible is so vast, deep and wide—even a lifetime is not enough to understand all its truths. Some practical advice:
1. Please have a colored pencil with you at all times when you read the Bible. Underline the verses and portions which inspire you. Mark also the verses that you do not understand.
2. It is also profitable to have a notebook with you. As you read through, put down the ideas and meanings that come to your mind. Write them frankly in your own way. It needs to have a literary style or logical reasoning. It is for you to keep for later reference.
3. Do not go into the Old Testament too soon. I advise you to read the Old Testament only after you read through the entire New Testament at least once. Beginning to read the Old Testament after you are well acquainted with church life or some Christian friends is preferable.

"For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart" (Hebrews 4:12).