My practice is to take one book (e.g., Mark, Jonah, Philippians, etc.) per month.

For one week read it through each day in one sitting. No notes. Just get a “feel” for it.

Second week: repeat. Find the point “from which” the book begins and the point “to which” (conclusion). Are there common words, themes, devices (like chiasms)? See if I can trace those items throughout the book. Is there a clear middle or “hinge” of the book?

Ask: what is the point of the book? What is the author trying to say? (This is tentative).

Third week: break the book into stand alone segments (pericopes) and begin asking questions: How does this section further the point of the book? What confuses, bothers, or disturbs me? What resonates with me? What challenges my previous understanding or assumptions? Are there any legitimate parallels with today’s world?

Fourth week: return to the practice of week one.