How often should I study Scripture if i want to become a serious student of it?

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DrawNearToGod

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An hour a day? Two hours a day?

I just prayed to God to give me St. Jerome-level love for Scripture, and I need to be practical about it and devote time and effort to being a student of the Bible. Any tips?
 
St. Jerome was first and foremost a translator. Does the idea of learning Biblical languages appeal to you at all?
 
I think this is a personal decision based on how much time you can spare and how long your enthusiasm will endure. If you have two hours to spare and are enjoying the study, great! You can always adjust as needed. There will be times it isn’t possible and no one should beat themselves up because they are no longer studying for two hours daily!
 
You’re sure to fail by setting the bar too high to begin with. Give less time but be diligent with it for starters: maybe 15mins a day, 5 or 6 days a week.
Look into lectio divina too, you’ll surely get some hints.
 
DrawNearToGod said:
An hour a day? Two hours a day?

I just prayed to God to give me St. Jerome-level love for Scripture, and I need to be practical about it and devote time and effort to being a student of the Bible. Any tips?
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Was is St Augustine that referred to the sacred scriptures as the “revelation of the Revelation?” The revealing of what has been revealed by God in the person of Christ, iow.

So here’s the thing. The church has long regarded its sacred writings to be multivalent and inexhaustible. But it has also garnered certain principles for approaching the sacred texts. Going back to the beginning of the church, these principles would be: to look for a true reading of the text, in harmony with the mind of the church (East and West), illumined by the grace of the Holy Spirit and testifying to Christ (who is the Revelation) within the texts.

I know that Protestants (and even some Catholics who think that biblical interpretation began in the 1500’s) approach the Bible as if it’s just plainly and simply to be read. But, this approach has no historical warrant. If you take a look at this Wiki article, you may begin to get a sense of the long tradition. Particularly good is the book by Cardinal Danielou that you can access some of, within the “further reading” tab.

I’m glad you have a heart for the sacred scriptures. Just always bear in mind that you’re entering into a stream of reading and meditating on the sacred texts that has been going on for nearly 2,000 years. It’s a long tradition, and you need to access that tradition to stay in harmony with the mind of the church, the whole church (East and West, ancient and medieval).
 
Ever try reading the Bible from cover to cover…as [Lazybones] said…maybe 15 minutes a day…maybe every morning before work or whenever you have time…you could read 4-5 chapters a day
 
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Here are some suggestions about what you could do, not a rule book. However, if someone wants to be a serious student of the Bible, he will have to make a real commitment to it.
Spend hours a day on it.
Make it a preferred reading source.
If you work, use your breaks to read it. And maybe part of your lunch time.
Prepare for church by reading the Bible beforehand.
When I warm up my car in the morning, sometimes I read the Bible, using the time waiting while sitting in the car reading the Bible.
Mostly or entirely drop television and read the Bible instead.
Make it a primary interest of your time, not something you do when the things you really care about allow you some time for it.
Buy some commentaries on books of the Bible and use them regularly.
If you want to become a serious student of the Bible, you will have to get books about the Bible. amazon.com is a good resource for finding good books on Scripture, since readers rate books they have read there. If you don’t have money for books, get them interlibrary loan through a local library.
Remain loyal to the faith of the Church as you pursue this. Otherwise pursuing an interest in the Bible won’t be good for you.
 
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If you wanted to learn any other thing, how much time would you devote to it?

There is no set hard and fast rule, it is wise to spend a little time in Scripture every day!
 
mdgspencer said:
Buy some commentaries on books of the Bible and use them regularly.
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You don’t necessarily have to buy them. You ought to be able to find them in a library. For book by book commentaries, there are two recommended Catholic series, the slightly older Sacra Pagina and the more recent Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. But be prepared for a lot of reading! The Sacra Pagina series, in 18 volumes, adds up to over 7,000 pages. The CCSS is shorter, but even so it still runs to over 5,000 pages.


 
DrawNearToGod said:
An hour a day? Two hours a day?

I just prayed to God to give me St. Jerome-level love for Scripture, and I need to be practical about it and devote time and effort to being a student of the Bible. Any tips?
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Yes… Don’t make plans for time constraints…

Dive into the NT - beginning with Matthew - in this manner…

In Prayerful Faith… Accepting all you read… with The Author with you… Ask Him for Understanding when you do not Understand. Read “Books” in the manner in which they’re intended to be read… Ultimately from beginning to end. This way - you’ll maintain all the contexts…

When Prayerfully Studied in FAITH ? All shall fall into place. Including TIME.

PEACE

_
 
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