Lots of people read the Bible for many reasons — it’s simply a tradition they’ve picked up, or it checks the Religion box in their daily schedule, or they want to find wisdom for how to get the most out of life, or they have a vague sense that “this is what Christians are supposed to do.”

But if we want to understand the true purpose of Bible reading, we need to learn it from the Bible itself. The ultimate goal of Bible reading is that the worth and glory of God would be exalted in the worship of Jesus Christ by his bride, the Church.

And this is something that lies totally outside of our power. Anyone can read the Bible, but if we are to become worshippers — if we’re to fulfill God’s purpose for Bible reading — God must change our hearts. And this is precisely what he loves to do.