How to Read Books

The Bible is a book. God left us a book… Not a movie, not a disc, not oral legends or myths… but a book. That's why only one Book is truly unique.

"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."

— 2 Timothy 3:16–17

Only the Bible is absolutely objective, authoritative, infallible, and always true in what it says. All other books are not "God-breathed." Therefore, they're subjective and may contain errors.

However, to better understand the Bible and make your Bible reading more fruitful, every Christian should read books beyond the Bible — developing their reading skills along the way.

Here are some tips to help you grow as a reader:

1. Decide to set aside specific time

It all starts with discipline! Set aside a specific block of time on a regular basis. Maybe 30 minutes a day, maybe 60. Or several 20–30 minute sessions. For starters, discipline is key.

2. Expect resistance

Reading takes discipline. Your heart will resist. You'll want to check your email, scroll through social media, text someone, look in the mirror, make some tea, etc. Don't give in to these distractions! Handle most small tasks before you read, so they won't interrupt you later.

3. Schedule your time and no excuses!

Wake up earlier. Don't leave it for "later," don't put it off until "tomorrow" or "the weekend." Be consistent! Your flesh will keep making excuses. Stick to your commitment about specific reading time.

4. Read great books!

In the limited time we have on this earth, we can only read so many books. So read truly great ones — books that are worth your time and genuinely interesting.

And one more thing… let go of the idea that you must finish every book you start. Reading cover to cover is sometimes necessary and helpful when you're studying — it builds discipline. But if you're reading for yourself and stumble upon a boring book — don't waste your time! Pick up something else!

Tony Reinke offers this formula: subtract your age from 100 — that's the number of pages you should read before deciding whether to finish the book or move on to another one.

5. Set priorities in your reading

Figure out which topics you'd like to explore more deeply. Create a list of books you want to read or re-read.

6. You'll need to give something up

You might need to cut back on sleep. Or maybe time spent watching movies, scrolling social media, or browsing the internet. Be ready for that. There's no other way…

7. Read two or three books at once

Reading one book at a time can get tiring. So try reading two or three. For example, mix different genres (theology and biographies), different authors (local and international), different topics (sanctification and prayer). Find the best combination for you. The main thing is to keep your interest in reading alive — by any means necessary.

8. Try to create a pleasant atmosphere

Ideally, reading should become a form of rest. Find a comfortable time and place. Somewhere you won't be distracted by your computer, food, phone, or other noises and objects. A time when you don't have to think about other tasks. Aim to relax with a book!

Based on the book Tony Reinke "Lit!: A Christian Guide to Reading Books"