How can I become a more disciplined reader?

That’s a great question. I don’t know if I have a great answer, but the simple answer is that you grow in reading by reading. So wherever you are, whether you feel as if you know a lot about literature or not much about literature, one thing to do is ask yourself what you like to read. Reading should grow as an enjoyable discipline.

Now, it is good occasionally to force yourself to read something you might not otherwise read, but I think if you want to develop a lifetime enjoyment of reading, you should start where you feel comfortable. Start with something that you enjoy reading and then try to press yourself to read things that are a little more serious. Reading anything that is well-written is going to help you appreciate language and the way language functions.

This might just be me talking, but I really think there is something important about holding a book and turning pages. Some recent studies are suggesting that reading from a screen is a different experience and that the brain reacts differently to it than reading from a page. I can’t imagine reading without being able to write notes in the margin. There are people who allege that if you read on a screen you could still take notes, but someone like me could never find those notes.

So, I would say start where you are and then try to develop more sophisticated forms of reading because understanding how literature works—even if your understanding is kind of subliminal—really will help you with your Bible reading and Bible appreciation.

This transcript is from a live Ask Ligonier event with W. Robert Godfrey and has been lightly edited for readability. To ask Ligonier a biblical or theological question, email ask@ligonier.org or message us on Facebook or Twitter.