How to Read the Bible
With over a thousand pages, 66 books, and an Old and New Testament, the Bible can sometimes seem overwhelming, especially if you are new to reading it. Not to mention the translations, study Bibles, and commentaries to choose from. In reality, reading the Bible is so simple and doesn’t need to be complicated at all. I want to ease any frustration, confusion, or angst you may feel about how to read the Bible and encourage you to read it in peace. If you have anxiety about reading the Bible or struggle to understand why it is essential to do so, then check out my article on Why Christians Read the Bible before you jump into this article.
Where do I start?
Before I became a Christian, I had a friend who bought a Bible for me in hopes that I would read it. I opened it up and had no idea where to begin or how to read it, so I closed it up and placed it by my bed. Months later, that same friend became my husband. When I told him I didn’t know where to start or how to read it, he encouraged me to start in one of the Gospels and work my way through it.
After taking his advice and starting in the Gospel of Matthew, I better understood what it meant to be a Christian. Beginning with Jesus, I fully realized my commitment to follow Him and become His disciple. This made me fall in love with reading the Scriptures. By the power of the Holy Spirit, God’s words convicted me, transformed me, and taught me what it meant to live like Jesus.
After reading through Revelation, I began the Old Testament. Although I had very little Bible knowledge, the OT seemed more meaningful after reading the NT. It provided context, and I could see that the whole Bible was telling one big story about Jesus and God’s unwavering mercy and grace to all mankind.
Starting with Jesus’ words and the testimonies about Him will help you better understand Christianity. The Holy Spirit will transform your heart and mind as you learn and grow in your knowledge of who God is and what he expects from you. The Holy Spirit reveals mysteries, and “he will guide you into all truth” (John 16:13). Don’t neglect the OT; there is purpose and meaning in the Bible as a whole.
Prayer
It is essential to approach the Scriptures with humility and a teachable spirit. Before you start reading, ask God to open your heart and mind to anything He wants to reveal to you. Pray that the Holy Spirit would bring fresh revelations of God and His love for you through His written Word. Focus on learning about Jesus and how your life should reflect Him. Remember that the Bible is not a tool that serves you; its purpose is to strengthen your faith in God.
How much time?
I hear this question often, and it is so subjective. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to time in the Word.
How long should I read for?
How many days do I have to read each week?
The answer to these questions may vary depending on the specific season or phase of life you are currently experiencing. Some phases of life allow more time to sit and read than others. As a young mom, I had hours and hours to read each day. After my kids started getting older, I had to prioritize my time in the early mornings if I wanted to have “quiet time.” Often, I found myself listening to the audio Bible while doing mundane tasks, etc.
Reading the Scriptures is undoubtedly important, but it’s not about how much time you spend reading them. What is more important is your quality of time. I want to stress this point because people often feel like they have to read the Bible every day, or else… However, we should avoid having a legalistic mindset about this topic because that tends to put an unnecessary burden on people, causing them to feel overwhelmed or anxious about the Bible.
Reading the Bible is not to check a box at the end of the day! You are reading the Bible to know Jesus better, grow in your faith, and intelligently reason through what the Scriptures say.
It is all about finding the right balance. Don’t use excuses to neglect reading the Bible altogether if you are in a season that offers a short amount of time for daily reading.
The 10-minute method:
Choose a book of the Bible to go through.
Read or listen to 1-2 chapters a day.
Write down a verse that stood out to you in either chapter and meditate on it all day.
Not only does this allow for intentional study, but it also allows you to focus on God all day as you remember the chapters you read that morning.
Prioritizing reading the Scriptures takes discipline and daily habits. Read the Bible as often as you are able, knowing that you are doing it because you love God and want to know Him.
Patience
When we learn anything new, it takes time and commitment to develop growth and understanding. The same is true for Christianity; learning what it means to be a Christian requires effort. Reading the Bible is a gift God has given us so we may know Him better and more fully.
It is okay to be confused by things you read and not understand everything as you learn what it means to follow Jesus. Have faith and stay the course, finding answers to your questions and receiving clarity as you wholeheartedly pursue the Lord. Keep reading, keep praying, and keep growing in Jesus.
Which Translation
The Bible should be read in a language that you can easily understand. People prefer different translations, such as the NKJV, NIV, or NLT. It all comes down to your personal preference, and you should choose the translation that is easiest for you to read.
If you are new to reading the Bible, I recommend starting with the NIV. Otherwise, you can check out any literal or dynamic translations, but remember, read the one you best understand.
What is the difference between translations?
The most common types of translations are Literal, Dynamic, and Paraphrase. These are best understood as word-for-word, thought-for-thought, and idea-for-idea.
Word-for-word translations are just that; they are a more literal translation of the Bible.
Thought-for-thought translations attempt to communicate the intended meaning of the text.
Paraphrased translations of the Bible are typically carried out by one person. They often do not use original manuscripts like literal and dynamic translations do. Paraphrase translations are more like personal commentary, and they can be controversial because they do not accurately and faithfully transcribe the Bible. Therefore, these translations should be viewed with caution.
Integrity of Scripture
As language evolves over time, scholars, church leaders, and language experts commit to updating the text for modern readers. However, this does not affect the integrity of Scripture for trusted translations. To ensure accuracy, these committees transcribe from the oldest manuscripts, initially written in Hebrew, Greek, and Aramaic. With the different translations to choose from, everyone can engage with the Bible in a way that is meaningful and relevant to them today.
Conclusion
See, it isn’t rocket science! Thankfully, God made it so simple for us to grow in our faith and know him deeper and better. Today, in America, Christians have no excuse for being Biblically illiterate. It really is up to you to prioritize reading the Bible for nourishment and practice the discipline of reading it as often as you can.
Here are a few links if you are interested in knowing more about the origins of some popular translations:
