How to Read the Bible
It's never too late to read the Bible for the first time. All you need is a Bible, a space to read, and a willing heart.
If you're reading this post, it means God is already working within you, and you have a hunger for His word.
If you don't remember anything else about this post, remember this: The reason we have the Bible in the first place is because of God's love and desire for us to know Him. It's not going to make perfect sense all of the time, so don't be discouraged. If all you have is a genuine desire to know God and know His Word, that's all He asks for.
Step 1: Picking a Passage
If you're reading the Bible for the first time, I recommend picking a passage or book from the New Testament first. Specifically, one of the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John) or an Epistle (every book in the New Testament that's title is someone's name or a people group's name). For this post, let's use a passage from the book of Philippians (an Epistle) as an example. I encourage opening up your Bible with me if you want to follow along! If you don't have a Bible with you, here is the text below:
Philippians 4:4-7
(4) Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! (5) Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. (6) Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. (7) And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Step 2: Context
When we read anything in the Bible, it's important to know the background of what's happening behind the Scripture. We need to make sure we know:
- Who wrote it
- Who it's written to/for
- What the author intended it to mean (not basing it on our own interpretation)
For this passage in Philippians, the context is:
- Written by the Apostle Paul
- To a church in Philippi. Paul was in prison as he wrote this, and the book emphasizes how joy in the Lord is not dependent on circumstance.
- Set your mind on what God has blessed you with, even when life is hard. God will give you peace and joy beyond our understanding, so give Him your anxiety.
(If you want to, check out the Bible Project video about this book for more in-depth context!)
Step 3: Pray
Before we read anything, we need to ask God to open our minds and let us receive His Word. Pray that God will show you a clear picture of what He wants you to learn from whatever you're about to read.
Remember, the Bible is not a textbook, so studying it is more than what studying a textbook would be. When we study the Bible with God opening our hearts and minds, not only do we gain knowledge, but we grow our relationship with God, and feel the Fruits of the Spirit working. You can physically feel JOY and PEACE and so much more when you read the Bible. It's not just reading words, but God speaking to you.
Step 4: Read
The first time you read the passage, don't highlight, underline, or write anything down. Just read the words on the page.
The second time you read it, underline or highlight verses that stick out to you. Jot down notes, questions, or even entire verses somewhere to come back to.
Step 5: Questions
After you go through the passage, think about these three questions, even if the passage makes zero sense at first.
- What does this passage say about God?
- What does this passage say about people?
- What can I learn from this passage?
It can be easy to jump around other parts in the Bible to make these questions easier to answer, but try to stick with the Scripture in front of you. If you really are confused, try reading more Scripture either before or after the passage you chose to provide further context.
If you're still lost, try looking up a commentary or explanation, but make sure it's a good source. I recommend articles from The Bible Project, Dallas Theological Seminary, and Give Me an Answer.
Building a practice of reading Scripture is one of the most important parts of growing a relationship with God. Whatever you're going through, the Bible has answers, and its words are comforting when life gets messy.
Really try to make this a practice. Reading, memorizing, and meditating on Scripture are incredibly beneficial to not only your relationship with God, but your everyday life and mindset.
Taking time to read the Bible doesn't have to take all day. All it takes is at least ten minutes of your time.
Having quiet time is a gift, and important for all of us to do. That doesn't mean it's easy. I have never been perfectly consistent with my quiet times, nor do I believe anyone is ever perfectly consistent. Remember God's character; He is forgiving, loving, and constantly pursuing your heart, no matter what. God does not grade you on your performance. He is a relational, loving Father.