1. HOLY SPIRIT. Before reading the bible pray to the Holy Spirit to guide and nourish your reading.
2. WORD OF GOD. Remember that reading the bible is an encounter with a living person – the Word of God – more than with written words on a page.
3. HUMILITY. Read the bible with humility. Sacred Scripture is meant to be mysterious. Be content with small steps in learning. Some parts are easy to understand. Some parts are mysterious. This is how it was meant to be. Read the sections that you are meant to read, according to where the Holy Spirit leads you and according to your capability. Don’t let pride get in the way. Don’t be frustrated.
4. CONVERSION. Allow the Scriptures to both comfort you and challenge you. All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17). “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12). The bible is not politically correct….so allow God to speak strongly against the fashionable ideas of our own day.
5. IN AND WITH THE CHURCH. Remember that Catholics read Sacred Scripture with the faith of the Church. No individual can understand the Sacred Scriptures by himself/herself. Sacred Scripture needs an authoritative interpreter. This is the role of the Teaching Authority of the Church, the bishops as guided by the Holy Spirit and assisted by the work of theologians. The teachings of the Catholic Church (as given in the Catechism) are in complete harmony with Sacred Scriptures.
6. HARMONY. All of Sacred Scripture is harmonious and there are no real contradictions therein. God does not contradict Himself. However, occasionally, one part of the bible will seem to contradict another part, for example, the words of Jesus “I and the Father are one” (Jn 10:30)  and “My Father is greater than I” (Jn 14:28) seem to contradict each other.  This is only an apparent contradiction, not a real one. The faith of the Church tells us that the first line is in reference to Our Lord’s divinity while the second one is a reference to His humanity. The two statements do not contradict. Patience is required.
7. PATIENCE. With reading the bible, quality is more important than quantity. Patience is required.
8. ATTENTIVENESS. Memorising some lines or sections of the bible is good for your formation. Writing out verses of the bible – with pen and paper – is also good for your formation.
9. NOTE-TAKING and QUESTIONS. Make notes. Ask questions, even if you think that you will be embarrassing yourself. Don’t be afraid to underline your bible or write notes in the margins.
10. MODES OF READING SACRED SCRIPTURE. Be aware that there is more than one way to read the Sacred Scriptures. We can read the Sacred Scriptures either: (i) Prayerfully (when we use the Scriptures to pray in our own room) (ii) As a proclaimed word in the liturgy (when we hear the Scriptures preached to us so that it impacts us and lights a fire inside us)  (iii) As a study (when we try to understand the words as students). Be aware of which of these modes your mind is in when you open your bible. All of these modes are appropriate in their own time and place. Be able to switch between all modes.
11. PRAY. Just like you prayed at the beginning of your reading, say a prayer at the end of your reading. Bring to mind what you have gained. Pray in thanksgiving.