Instructional Reading
The second method of reading the Word of God is "instructional"; that is, God's Word is there to teach us.
"How can a young man keep his way pure?
By keeping it according to Your word."
—Psalm 119:9
"Do not take the word of truth utterly out of my mouth,
For I wait for Your ordinances."
—Psalm 119:43
"I rejoice at Your word,
As one who finds great spoil."
—Psalm 119:162
Instructional reading of God's Word is to seek knowledge that will change or strengthen what we believe. We go to the Word to learn truth. The difference between informational reading and instructional reading is that the latter tends to have greater personal value and can result in changed behavior.
New believers often immerse themselves in instructional reading. For the first time in their lives the Bible comes alive. This is the illuminating work of the Holy Spirit as He opens the Word of God to our minds. Suddenly spiritual things begin to make sense. For example, stories like Noah's ark and the Sermon on the Mount have a context; the person, teaching, miracles and works of Jesus begin to fall into place. For many new believers, discovering God in His Word is one of the most exciting things that ever happens to them.
Good Bible teachers always study the Bible on an instructional level, for the task of the teacher or the preacher is to explain to others the revelation of God through His Word, and not just convey facts and information.