How to Keep a Bible Reading Journal

by Massimo Lorenzini

Begin your Bible reading with prayer: "Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law" (Psalm 119:18). The Bible is God's Word. Ask God to teach you through His Word.

As you read the chapter ask yourself the five W's and an H: Who, what, where, when, why, how?

• Who is involved? Who is speaking? Who is acting?
• When did this event take place (what day of week, what hour of the day, relationship to some other event)?
• Where did the action take place (what city, what specific location such as a home or on a mountain, etc.)?
• What took place?
• What sin is presented that I should forsake?
• What command is given that I should obey?
• What promise is there that I can claim?
• Why did this event take place?
• How did the event occur?
• How do I put the lesson into practice?
• What is God teaching me in this passage?

If you're reading a passage on the life and teachings of Jesus ask yourself the following questions:

• Is the passage about His life or His teaching?
• Give the essential details of the events.
• Who were His friends?
• Who were His enemies? Why were they opposed to Him?
• How did the person or people respond to Jesus?
• What other passages tell the same story (you may recall it told in another Gospel)?
• What other details do they include?
• What did you learn about His deity (Godhood) in this passage?
• Everything Jesus did expressed the nature and attitude of God. What did you learn about God in this passage?
• What principles did He teach?
• Does He quote the Old Testament?
• What does Jesus condemn and why?
• What good qualities does He encourage?
• What is the basic principle He is teaching?
• How can I apply these teachings to my life?

If it's a parable of Jesus ask yourself the following:

• What is the parable or story? (Prepare a brief summary)
• What circumstances led up to this teaching, if any?
• What interpretation does Jesus give?
• List any additional details given in parallel passages (this where the same parable is told in another Gospel).
• Every parable has one central truth. What is the central truth He is teaching?
• Is there something to apply to my life? If so, how can I do it?

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