Read the Word

John Piper has a great article (or sermon) on his website, desiringgod.org that uses Romans 12 as a tutorial for how to read the Word. Or better said, he explains how to read Romans 12 and that could be used to show us how to read the Word. Anyway, its entitled Let Love Be Genuine and the 'how to read' part is about a third the way down the article. You should check it out.
I've been teaching my kids here at FBC that reading the Word is an event that requires more than a desire to finish the chapter and that needs to be viewed as more than another check on our list. Reading the Word needs to be intentional. It needs to be an event that requires prayer, asking the Holy Spirit to give meaning and insight. Allowing the words to settle in our hearts and become a part of who we are. I've given the following analogy a couple of times, and I'll share it with you.
Unfortunately, many of us read the Bible like this: its like seeing an oh 10 model camaro coming past us on the highway. We see if for a split second, then go tell our friends "I saw an oh 10 camaro!!". If we are to get out of the Bible what God intends for us, we should treat it like this: Go to the dealership and look at the camaro. Sit in the drivers seat and crank up the sound system. Ask for the keys and take it for a test drive. Pull out on the highway and FLOOR IT!! See what that baby will do. Bring it back to the lot and plop down the cash to buy it. Take it home and wash it. Wax it. Detail every inch of it. Then when you want to tell your friends about that oh 10 camaro, you'll know what you're talking about.
Read the Word. And enjoy!