Reading a Bible with a study guide or commentary aid
understanding...always read each individual book having an idea of
the setting: who is the human writer? who is he speaking to in that
book? the culture aspects of that particular city/church the book
is directed at?
Having such basic info in mind, you will get to understand the
reason why the writer writes to emphasis certain teachings while to
other churches/city he never go deep in it.
Most of all, read it with open mind and heart as it is the written
Word of God.
I like the way Gideon International phrase it:
THE BIBLE contains the mind of God, the state of man, the way of
salvation, the doom of sinners, and the happiness of believers.Its
doctrines are holy, its precepts are binding, its histories are
true, and its decisions are immutable. Read it to be wise, believe
it to be safe, and practice it to be holy. It contains light to
direct you, food to support you, and comfort to cheer you.
It is the traveler's map, the pilgrim's staff. the pilot's compass,
the soldier's sword, and the Christian charter. Here Paradise is
restored, Heaven opened, and gates of hell disclosed.
