Many believers approach the Bible as a task to complete rather than a Person to encounter. We open the pages, read a passage, maybe underline a verse, and then move on with our day. But Scripture invites us into something far deeper than information; it invites us into relationship. When you open your Bible, you are not simply reading an ancient religious text. You are meeting with the living Savior. The apostle John reminds us in John 1:1, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”

Jesus is called the Word, which means that when we open the Scriptures, we are encountering the voice and revelation of Christ Himself. Scripture is one of the primary ways the Lord speaks to His people. That means our time in the Bible is not merely words on a page; it is relational. Jesus also says in John 10:27, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.”

If we belong to Christ, we should expect to hear His voice through His Word. The question is not whether Jesus is willing to speak, it is whether we are preparing our hearts to meet with Him. So how do we prepare ourselves to truly encounter Jesus when we read the Bible? Here are six practices that can transform Bible reading from routine into relationship.

Pray Before You Read

Meeting with Jesus begins with prayer. Before you open the pages of Scripture, take a moment to ask God to prepare your heart and illuminate His Word. The Bible is not just another book. It is a spiritually discerned book, and we need the help of the Holy Spirit to understand it rightly. Prayer acknowledges our dependence on God and invites Him to guide our reading. You might pray something simple like: “Lord, open my eyes to see what You want me to see. Teach me through Your Word today.”

Scripture reminds us that the Word of God is living and active. Hebrews tells us in Hebrews 4:12, “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword…” Because Scripture is living, it has the power to penetrate our hearts, expose our motives, and guide our lives. Prayer invites God to do that work within us.

Come Willing to Receive

Reading the Bible requires humility. We must approach Scripture with the understanding that we are not the authority, God is. When we come to the Bible willing to receive, it means laying down our assumptions and allowing God’s Word to speak for itself. It means resisting the urge to twist Scripture to fit our preferences. Jesus quoted Deuteronomy during His temptation in the wilderness, saying in Matthew 4:4, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.”

Just as our physical bodies need daily nourishment, our souls require the nourishment of God’s Word. When we approach Scripture willing to receive, we acknowledge that we need what God is offering. Instead of reading casually, come hungry. Come ready to listen. Come ready to receive what God wants to say.

Come Willing to Be Changed

The goal of Bible reading is not simply knowledge, it is life-changing! God’s Word is meant to shape our thinking, redirect our hearts, and guide our lives. If we approach Scripture merely seeking information, we miss its intended purpose. James warns us in James 1:23-25, “For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror… and at once forgets what he was like.”

Scripture acts like a mirror. It reveals the condition of our hearts and shows us where change is needed. But that transformation only happens if we are willing to respond in obedience. When you open the Bible, ask yourself: Lord, what do You want to change in me today?

When we come to the Bible willing to be changed, it allows Scripture to move beyond the page and into our life.

Remove Distractions

One of the greatest obstacles to meeting with Jesus in Scripture is distraction. We live in a world filled with noise: notifications, schedules, responsibilities, and endless digital interruptions. If we want to hear God’s voice clearly, we must intentionally create space for Him. That might mean putting your phone in another room, waking up earlier, or setting aside a quiet moment during the day when you can focus without interruption.

Meeting with Jesus requires intentional attention. Just as we give undivided focus during important conversations with people we love, we should give focused attention to our time with the Lord. Distraction pulls our hearts in a hundred directions, but creating an environment of stillness allows us to listen.

Ask Questions

One of the best ways to engage deeply with Scripture is to ask questions as you read. Questions help slow us down and move us from passive reading to active discovery. Instead of rushing through a passage, pause and reflect on what the text is actually saying.

Some helpful questions include:

• What does this passage reveal about God?
• What does this passage reveal about human nature?
• Is there a command to obey?
• Is there a promise to trust?
• How does this passage point to Christ?

Jesus said His sheep hear His voice. Asking thoughtful questions positions us to hear more clearly what the Lord is saying through His Word. The more we interact with Scripture, the more we begin to see its depth and beauty.

Be Expectant

Finally, come to Scripture with expectation. Too often we open the Bible assuming we already know what it says. But God’s Word is rich, layered, and endlessly profound. Every time we read, the Holy Spirit can reveal new insights and applications. Expectation changes the attitude of our heart and mind. Instead of reading out of obligation, we read with anticipation. We begin asking: What will God show me today?

Because the Word of God is living, it continues to speak into our present circumstances. Passages we have read dozens of times can suddenly illuminate something new when the Spirit applies them to our lives. When we come expectant, Bible reading becomes an encounter rather than a routine.

Are you ready to meet with Jesus as you spend time in His Word?

Meeting with Jesus in Scripture is not about checking off a spiritual task, it is about cultivating a relationship with Him. As we pray, come willing to receive, remain open to change, remove distractions, ask questions, and read with expectation, our time in the Word becomes a place of encounter. But remember, transformation does not come from occasional moments of inspiration. It comes from consistent faithfulness.

Jesus calls His followers to abide in Him. Abiding means remaining connected, continuing to return to His presence, and trusting Him daily. When you open your Bible, you are not simply studying a book. You are sitting at the feet of the living Savior who loves you, speaks to you, and leads you. So return again and again to His Word. Be faithful to meet with Him. Abide in Christ, trust His voice, and allow His Word to shape your life one day at a time.