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Faithfully reading the Bible seems tedious and hard; thus, daunting. Unaided, perhaps? It helps to consider the tools which could help us understand it better. There are many practices; one of them is SOAP (an acronym for Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer). Personally, I always have questions (thus, I coined my own, SOQPA). I would encourage anyone at least to read a chapter a day; context is key. The book of Mark would be a good start with 16 chapters only. Get into the habit by simply doing a fast read; then a slow read; watch for repetitions—the Hebrew style for emphasis; knowing word meanings is helpful. For context, compare different Bible translations; e.g., ESV, NKJV, NASB, NIV, Message Bible, etc.; there is also the 1^st mention; and the all mention (for this blog suffice it that we sample ‘some’ mention).

All Scripture is breathed out by God . . .¹ Although other verses are weightier. Notably, we see words as ‘first’ which implies priority. “Inquire first for the word of the LORD.”² For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, . . .³ But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.⁴ Or ‘most important.’ A scribe asked Jesus, “Which commandment is the most important of all?” Jesus answered, “The most important is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’⁵

Nailed to the cross, Jesus finally surrendered his Spirit and declared, It is finished.⁶ What did he finish? What mission did he accomplish? Being obedient unto death, Jesus accomplished God’s plan for salvation through him as Lord and Savior. Earlier, Jesus declared I AM statements—I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall never hunger.⁷ . . . Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am. . . . I am the door of the sheep. . . if anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.⁹ I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.¹⁰ I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live.¹¹ I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.¹²

After [his resurrection] Jesus revealed himself again to his disciples . . .¹³ Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. . . . And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”¹⁴ These truths, the heart of the gospel must first be proclaimed to all nations.¹⁵

He presented himself alive to them . . .¹⁶ And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father . . . you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit . . .¹⁷ . . . If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. . . . For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?¹⁸

Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart, for I am called by your name, O LORD, God of hosts.¹⁹