A Practical Guide to Reading the Bible

One of the greatest privileges of being a Christian is that we can sit with God every day—listening to Him through His Word and speaking to Him in prayer. We often call this our “quiet time.” But if we’re honest, many of us struggle with it. We open our Bibles, read a passage, and then think, “Now what?”

That’s where the ASPECT method can help. It’s a simple, practical framework that guides you through your quiet time, making it both structured and Spirit-led. Let’s break it down.

What is the ASPECT Method?

ASPECT is an acronym that stands for:

• A – Attributes of God

• S – Sin to Avoid

• P – Promise to Claim

• E – Example to Follow

• C – Command to Obey

• T – Teaching to Live Out

  
  

This method keeps your quiet time focused on God’s Word and helps you move from reading to reflection to application.

How to Use ASPECT in Your Quiet Time

1. Pray First

Begin by asking God to open your heart and mind. Quiet time isn’t just about information; it’s about transformation. Pray like the Psalmist: “Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in Your law” (Psalm 119:18).

2. Read a Short Passage

Pick 10–15 verses (a story, a paragraph, or a teaching). The goal is not to race through chapters but to let the Word sink in.

3. Work Through ASPECT

• A – Attributes of God: What does this passage show me about who God is? His power, His love, His justice, His patience? Write it down.

• S – Sin to Avoid: Does this passage reveal any sin in my life? Sometimes it’s direct (e.g., lying, pride), other times it’s subtle (lack of trust, selfish motives). Take a moment to confess and receive His forgiveness.

• P – Promise to Claim: God’s Word is full of promises—about His presence, provision, protection, and salvation. Is there one here that you can hold on to today?

• E – Example to Follow: Look for people in the passage—Jesus, disciples, others. What example do they set? How can you learn from them?

• C – Command to Obey: God doesn’t just inform us; He instructs us. Is there a clear command here to put into practice?

• T – Teaching to Live Out: Reflect on the above findings and see how it relates with your life. How will you respond to the teaching, what will you do in obedience to the lesson?

4. Pray Again

End by turning your reflections into prayer—praising God for His attributes, confessing sin, claiming His promises, committing to obey, and asking for strength to live in His truth.

Why the ASPECT Method Works

• It keeps you focused – No more aimless reading.

• It balances head and heart – You learn about God and let Him search your heart.

• It leads to action – You leave with something concrete to live out.

Quiet time is not about checking a box. It’s about meeting with the Living God. The ASPECT method simply gives you handles to hold on to, so your time with Him is intentional, rich, and life-changing.

Getting Started Today

Here’s a simple way to begin:

1. Pick a short passage (e.g., Mark 1:35–45).

2. Grab a notebook.

3. Write down the six ASPECT headings.

4. Spend 15–20 minutes filling them in.

5. Close in prayer.

Do this daily, and you’ll be amazed how God’s Word begins to shape your thoughts, decisions, and desires.

Quiet time doesn’t have to be complicated. With the ASPECT method, you can open your Bible with confidence, knowing you’ll meet God in His Word and leave with truth to live by.

---

Worked Out Example: Mark 1:40–45 (ESV)

“And a leper came to him, imploring him, and kneeling said to him, ‘If you will, you can make me clean.’ Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand and touched him and said to him, ‘I will; be clean.’ And immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean. And Jesus sternly charged him and sent him away at once, and said to him, ‘See that you say nothing to anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, for a proof to them.’ But he went out and began to talk freely about it, and to spread the news, so that Jesus could no longer openly enter a town, but was out in desolate places, and people were coming to him from every quarter.”

ASPECT Method Sample Entry

A – Attributes of God

• Jesus is compassionate (v.41, “moved with pity”).

• Jesus is powerful—one word and a deadly disease is gone.

• Jesus is willing to meet us where we are (“I will; be clean”).

S – Sin to Avoid

• I often doubt God’s willingness to act in my life.

• I sometimes talk about Jesus but don’t obey what He asks (like the leper who disobeyed His command).

P – Promise to Claim

• Jesus is both willing and able to cleanse me—not just from sickness, but from sin.

• No matter how “unclean” I feel, He never turns away a sincere seeker.

E – Example to Follow

• The leper approached Jesus in humility and faith (“kneeling… if you will”).

• Do I come to Jesus with that same desperation and trust?

C – Command to Obey

• Obedience matters. Jesus told the healed man to go to the priest as a testimony. Instead, he spread the news and made Jesus’ ministry harder.

• God calls me not just to celebrate His work, but to obey His word.

T – Teaching to Live Out

• I will not hide from Jesus, he is able and willing to meet me in my brokenness with compassion and power.

• I will obey whatever he asks me to do.