You cannot appreciate something thousands of years old without guidance. An art teacher can help you appreciate the challenge of carving statues from marble. A musician might point out advances in the way instruments were designed. An architect might talk about the way ancient roofs were sloped to ensure snow did not accumulate.
The same is true when you read literature. When you open a Bible, you are digging into a text that is thousands of years old. If you can find someone to guide you, listen to them. But when you are reading the Bible alone: USE YOUR IMAGINATION. Ask yourself questions. Why did he write this? What would the first readers have thought he was trying to say? What emotions are hidden beneath the surface? And most important of all—every teenager’s favorite question: SO WHAT? Why would God put this in His book? Why would He want me to read this? What is He trying to teach me?
Another way to use your imagination is to put yourself in the passage. For example, preachers sometimes read John 3:16 as “For God so loved me that He gave His only Son so that when I believe on Him, I will have everlasting life.”
Psalm 21 is a great song by King David in which he counts his many blessings. But I think it is more meaningful to read it once as though you ARE the king, speaking about yourself (as David was). So where David refers to himself with the third person phrase, “the king,” I am going to change this to first person, using “I” and “me”—
“Lord, I find joy in Your strength, How greatly I rejoice in Your victory! You have given me my heart’s desire and have not denied the request of my lips. For You meet me with rich blessings; You place a crown of pure gold on my head. I asked You for life, and You gave it to me—length of days forever and ever. My glory is great through Your victory. You confer majesty and glory on me. You give me blessings forever. You cheer me with joy in Your presence….” Psalm 21:1-6.
Never hesitate to ask hard questions and use some imagination when you read the Word.
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