How Can I Get More Out of My Bible Reading?

Church Questions

by Jeremy Kimble

Practical Suggestions for Spending Quality Time in God’s Word Church Questions is a series that seeks to provide ordinary Christians with sound and accessible biblical teaching by answering common questions about church life. Each volume offers biblical answers and practical applications with the goal of nurturing healthy church practice and commitment. Reading the Bible is essential to the Christian faith, but many believers struggle to study it faithfully. In this short booklet, Jeremy Kimble explains how the church acts as God’s school, helping us read and follow Scripture through teaching, fellowship, and discipleship. He also gives advice to improve your own Scripture reading so you can understand the big picture, ask good questions, and apply what you learn.

Genres: Christian Living, Christian, Theology, Audiobook, Faith, Christian Non Fiction

64 pages, Paperback

Published June 8, 2021

Reviews

[Parker James Lipetska · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was told to read this book with my friend Jake Dahl. Sadly he has not read the book yet🥺. Great book tho!

[Anthony Joseph · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short and sweet! Jeremy's thoughts on the question presented in the title were thoughts that I rarely think about when I think on this question.
Really enjoyed his emphasis on the communal aspect of reading Scripture.

[Salvador Blanco · Rating 5 out of 5]

This whole series has been phenomenal and will be a timeless tool for questions in the church. I bought I copy for myself and a friend I began discipling.

I love how the local church is never left out in the answers provided.

Short and helpful!

[Jon · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well-written field guide on how to get more out of our Bible reading. For anyone asking this question, this is a great resource to have as it introduces practical methods of studying the Bible with an emphasis on doing it within a local church community. It is immediately applicable. I also appreciate that Kimble adds a recommended resources section for anyone who wants to dive deeper.

A note on my rating: I always rate books within their genre. As far as little booklets like this go, this is the best on this topic I have seen to date. It would be great for counseling scenarios, for discipling (especially new believers), or for believers who want a quick read to explore ways to improve their Bible reading.

[Wood Marshall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very easy to read but very good and helpful

[Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short, but extremely helpful with special emphasis on reading the Bible in the context of community which I so appreciated!

[Cole Shiflet · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is immensely valuable. As a Multiply leader, I often receive this question. Kimble's response is clear: “If you truly want to become a better Bible reader, find a church that teaches the Bible and practices expository preaching." The local church is made possible by the Word and is fueled by the Word. The preaching from the pulpit serves to teach us how to understand God's Word better. Kimble exhorts believers to read through God's Word quickly as a way of seeing the big picture of God's redemptive purpose.

[Samuel · Rating 4 out of 5]

(Friendly tip: this book is available in audiobook form for free on the Crossway Podcast and can be listened to in a single sitting!)
This is a really helpful resource for anyone looking to read their Bible more or more effectively. Kimble spends a lot of time at the beginning on a unique subject you might not expect—the importance of the local church in aiding your Bible reading and comprehension. He even suggested a couple of things that I might implement in ministry in the near future! Beyond that, Kimble says the same things you normally hear about how to read the Bible and comprehend it better.

[millie · Rating 3 out of 5]

interesting thoughts on how the local church impacts the richness of your bible reading. general guidelines for how to do an inductive bible study (observation + interpretation + application) and what it looks like to trace the gospel story throughout the canon of scripture.

i feel like i'm cheating on my reading challenge because this is more like a booklet. listened to the free audiobook on the crossway podcast!

[Isaac Ruiz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not much to say about this one- a short and solid book about reading scripture. I do sort of wish his main application wasn’t to join a church since I (and probably the majority of his readers..) am already part of a church, but I understand his point. Still some really helpful and edifying stuff in here!

[Cory Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every book I’ve read in this series has been gold. They are incredibly accessible, practical, and answer serious questions. I wish I had boxes of these books to handout. This one handles the topic of reading scripture in a way that focuses on why to do it, where/how to do it such as in church community, and then gives practical tips and illustrations.

[Christian Barrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

This short guide is a helpful tool in teaching someone how to read and study the Bible. It also provides a thousand foot view of biblical theology and how it plays into seeing God’s big story. This is definitely a book for a new Christian, or even a mature believer who’s Bible reading is lacking.

[alwayss.rejoice · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved how the author repeatedly mentioned the importance of being part of a biblical church and being in community.

[Kelton Zacharias · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rooted in the church, with excellent practical tips.

[Brooks Lemmon · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a nice little book! The author made a great point about how joining the local church aids us in our journey with Scripture. This book was sort of a tract summing up some of what I have learned through the Bible Project. It was a nice, quick, morning read.

[Meredith Lockridge Sperle · Rating 5 out of 5]

GUYSSSSS!!! I have some info I think you’re really gonna like! 🤗👇🏻👇🏻

I get DM’s weekly asking for advice on how to dig deeper in Scripture and how to actually understand what you’re reading!! I think I have just the answer to help! 🤓

In Jeremy Kimble’s book, he answers the sought out question: “How Can I Get More Out of My Bible Reading?” 🤔

Not only does the book answer this question, but it also gives encouragement & practical tips! ✔️

I was extremely inspired by the idea that, “Scripture’s vision of the Christian life comes alive in God’s people.” 🔥 (page 27) When we attend a Bible believing church and see people LIVING and ACTING OUT the commands of Scripture, we understand more of what Jesus designed for his bride, the church. When we actually reach our hand out to every blood washed person (ie: everyone), we understand more and more what it means when the Bible tells us to serve others.

This 47 page read (tiny, but mighty!), gives the reader questions to ask while studying Scripture, principles to take into consideration, and APPLICATION- the moment we see the steps we’re taking to be better students of Bible reading play out right in front of us in our own lives.

I was definitely challenged by the idea 💡 ➡️ “I need to speak the Bible to others, and I need to have it spoken to me.” (page 31) As a pastor, I pray the Scripture I am teaching/preaching on is life giving to those who hear it. I hope when I give advice to others with Scriptural reference, it is evident that I also believe God’s Word and make it a priority to study it. Not in a “holier than thou” way, but in an encouraging and loving way where the person thinks, “hey, I can do that too!”

We shouldn’t just read the Bible as religious duty, a box to check off, or a cute Instagram picture, but instead we should DELIGHT in it! ✨we should have JOY! Scripture gives us the knowledge of salvation! It gives us advice and wisdom for our daily lives! It gives us all a MISSION to share the Good News with others! It gives us tools to wake up every day choosing to follow Christ and actively transform our minds to look more like HIM! Why wouldn’t we want to study that? 😊💛

*Crossway has provided a complimentary copy of this book through the Blog Review Program!* 💛 thank you Crossway!

[Kenneth · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s amazing how clearly this concise booklet answers the question. Kimble exhorts Christians who want to get more out of Bible reading to 1) not try alone but in the context of a local church, and 2) read alone with practical tips in mind. The practical tips are useful for mature and new Bible readers alike, and the context of the local church gives opportunity to see and share what comes from productive Bible reading.

[Andrew · Rating 3 out of 5]

Takes a different tact in emphasising the importance of being engaged with the ministry of a local church in order to see good bible reading modelled in different areas of the life of the church. Also included discussion of Bible reading principles you would expect to find in a booklet like this one. Useful introductory guide and provides a short bibliography of resources to turn to for digging deeper into the topic.

[Ryan Pickwick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to Crossway for this free ebook. I appreciated this book and despite it being a 9Marks (Church Questions) book, I was still surprised at the answer and strong emphasis on "join a local church." I don't disagree - In fact I think I just take this for granted in some ways. Yet it's a needed reminder, and I thought the tips at the end were great and needed for everyday Christians and Bible readers. I'm thankful for this series and have enjoyed the ones I've read so far.

[Nicholas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short, Full of Teaching, and Practical! Kimble's book was a joy to read and full of encouragement for new believers and seasoned ones. He teaches in a concise way why and how to read the bible, and I particularly enjoyed that he emphasized to read the bible in the context of a local church. Adding this book to my list of books to give out!

[Huy Mai · Rating 5 out of 5]

Listened to the audiobook. Quite encouraging for Kimble to start the book by emphasizing the importance of being part of a community that faithfully lives out the Word of God. Even if you have the methods to get yourself through your Bible reading, God does not intend for us to keep insights we draw from the text to ourselves.

[Travis Stockton · Rating 4 out of 5]

A simple overview

A solid overview of how a Christian (or anyone for that matter) can read Scripture in a responsible manner. The author really spends a lot of time emphasizing the first point of his argument, which is to be a part of a Bible believing, expository preaching church. But then gives a solid understanding of the basics of Bible reading.

[Carissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

short and helpful booklet for bible reading. If you're already having trouble reading the bible, then it makes sense this is so short.

section 1: surprising gift of the local church
section 2: tips on bible reading

[Gordon Walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very helpful, eminently readable, the focus on the local church as the sphere in which - on multiple levels - knowledge of the Bible is obtained, is especially practical from a pastoral point of view.

[Joshua Reno · Rating 3 out of 5]

Though short, it is a good primer for Bible reading. I think Dr. Kimble does an excellent job highlighting the importance of the local church in learning how to read scripture. It is a good refresher of how to get the most out of Bible reading. I would highly recommend giving to a new believer.

[Chloe Cox · Rating 5 out of 5]

This little booklet accomplishes the goal presented in the title. The advice is sound and simple, and I highly recommend this to all believers, especially for anyone looking to understand their Bible better and begin to enjoy reading it.

[Gustavo Jaramillo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Helpful for new believers.

[Mitchell Dixon · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good little introduction. Main point is to join a local church

[Barry Winslow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great little audiobook on crossway podcast today. Helpful tips for the Christian who is struggling to read their bible.

[Anthony Vance · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great refresher to start a new year regarding Bible reading and study. I love the emphasis on attending and engaging in a local church that teaches the Bible.