During a year in Intentional Discipleship, you will read several books. Many of us are not readers (this was me when I was in my first group), so here are some tips that have helped me over the years.
Start with the table of contents. I am a big-picture guy. I want to know where I am going and how long it will take to get there.
Read the introduction. It is usually where the author tells you why they are writing the book. A good introduction will motivate me to push through the difficult chapters where I want to stop reading.
Be consistent in your reading. If you are a slow reader like me, it is crucial to set a pace and stick to it. I set goals for the number of pages or chapters I want to accomplish in each sitting.
Keep your book handy. You will be surprised at the opportunities to read if you have your book with you.
Highlight important passages. I highlight anything that I want to remember or that interests me. Highlighting is an easy way to find a topic or thought later.
Don't be afraid to mark up your book. I always read with a highlighter and a pen. I make notes in the margins, circle keywords, and dog-ear pages. Michael Hyatt suggests a simple set of symbols: a star for something important, a question mark for something that needs more research, and an open square for something that requires action.
Process the information. Take the time to apply the knowledge in the book to your life. What changes do I need to make because of this book? Is there someone I know who needs to hear this? What are the big takeaways? In Intentional Discipleship, we always do a book summary that helps us process what we read and apply it to our lives.
