[Copyright material]

ILLUSTRATIONS

 

PREFACE

 

1 INTRODUCTION TO DAILY BIBLE READING

    The discipline of daily Bible reading

    True discipleship

 

2 WHY READ THE BIBLE ON A DAILY BASIS?

    The Bible’s declarations about itself

    Obligations to follow the commands of Scripture

    A handbook for life

 

3 SET ASIDE A REGULAR TIME AND PLACE FOR BIBLE READING

    When and where

    Stand, sit or kneel?

    Jesus’ custom of prayer

    Begin with a prayer for enlightenment

 

4 BIBLE TRANSLATION

    History of the Bible

    Transcribing the Bible

    Translating the Bible

        Old Testament

        New Testament

    Original texts

    Translation philosophies

    Recommended translations

    Commercial considerations

    The canon of Scripture

 

5 EXAMPLES OF TRANSLATION APPROACHES

    Alternative words and thoughts

        Genesis 5:1

        Romans 12:2

    Culture- and time-specific expressions

        1 Samuel 24:3

        Colossians 3:12

    The reverential aspect

        1 Chronicles 29:11

        Isaiah 1:26

     ‘Gender-neutral’ translations

        John 2:8

     ‘Politically correct’ translations

        John 19:12

    Imprecise translations

        Psalm 34:20

        Colossians 2:9

 

6 HOW TO READ GOD’S WORD

    How much time is required

    How much to read

    How to read the Bible

    Memorable verses

    Understanding the passage

    Questions to ask

    Pitfalls to avoid

    Study resources

    Dealing with puzzling passages

    Meditating on Bible passages

    Systematic Bible study is also essential

    Refuting error

 

7 CONCLUDE WITH A TIME OF PRAYER

    The ‘Acts’ acrostic

        Adoration

        Confession

        Thanksgiving

        Supplication

    God’s will

    Fasting

    A concluding prayer for grace

 

8 APPLICATION OF GOD’S WORD

    Obedience brings blessing

    Which laws still apply?

    The threefold division of the law

        The Ceremonial Law

        The Civil Law

        The Moral Law

    The Holy Spirit is our teacher

 

9 FURTHER BENEFITS OF A REGULAR QUIET TIME

    Understanding the counsel of God

    Responding to events biblically

    Living a Christian lifestyle

    The sincerity of our faith

    A crucial question!

 

10 THE GOSPEL OF JESUS

    The gospel demands a response

    The Bible and its revelation of God

    Genesis, creation and the fall

    Man cannot redeem himself

    The call of Abraham

    The Old Testament law and the sacrificial system

    The perfect sacrifice

    Marks of genuine conversion

    Becoming a true Christian

 

11 SUMMARY

    Peace

    Begin a daily quiet time now

 

NOTES

 

APPENDICES

    I          Prayer bookmark

    II        Bibliography

    III       A Bible-in-one-year reading plan

    IV       Memory verses

    V        The author

    VI       Author’s doctrinal statement

    VII     Glossary

 

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INDEX