How to Read the Bible

The Bible is more than a famous and historic work of literature; it is the Word of God and through it He still speaks to us today!

You’ve heard the Bible read at weddings, funerals, and preached in church. And you may wonder why this ancient book is still popular today. But have you read it for yourself? Do you know what the Bible contains? If you’ve decided to find out, how and where do you begin?

Begin by reading the Bible just as you would read any other book. 

But, unlike reading the latest fiction novel, read thoughtfully and prayerfully. Stop and pray before you read, asking God to “open your eyes” and help you understand what He says (Psalm 119:18). Read each passage more than once. Pay close attention to the individual words and to the context. It may be helpful to know the genre of literature you are reading, whether it is poetry (e.g. Psalms) or a narrative (e.g. Genesis, Esther, Matthew) or a letter (eg. Philippians, Galatians).  Whenever possible, try to interpret the biblical text in its direct sense. Avoid looking for hidden meanings. The original authors wanted the biblical text to be easily understood by their readers.

Let God speak to you through the pages of His Word.

The Bible is more than a famous and historic work of literature; it is the Word of God and through it He still speaks to us today (Hebrews 4:12)! While human authors penned the words of its 66 books, ultimately they “spoke from God” (2 Peter 1:21). All Scripture is inspired, or God-breathed (2 Timothy 3:16-17). The Bible is God’s love letter to the ages. It speaks of a love that moved God to take human form and dwell among us (John 1:14).

Understand that God revealed His truth in two distinct stages: the Old Testament and the New Testament. 

John 1:17 explains it well: “For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” The Bible contains two major divisions—and you can look in a physical copy of the Bible to see the spot of transition. The Old Testament describes God’s dealings with Israel and predicts the coming of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. The New Testament describes how Jesus came and the implications of those events for every believer.

Begin with the Gospel of Mark (the second book in the New Testament).

This gospel is a good place to begin reading the Bible. Study with a devotional guide, like Today in the Word, or use a reading schedule (available online) to read through the entire Bible in one year. A Bible with study notes or a one-volume Bible commentary can be helpful for understanding the background of the passage or for researching difficult passages.

Make a plan to read God’s Word regularly.

Spending time each day reading God’s Word is important to the Christian life as it is the way God speaks to us and a way we learn from Him. It is our spiritual food, and we need it for nourishment and to grow as a believer (Matthew 4:4). Do not give up if you find that some things in the Bible are hard to understand. Even Jesus’ disciples felt this way (2 Peter 3:15-16)! Ask God to help you grasp the Bible’s meaning and the implications it has for your life. God’s Word is a light to our path and a comfort for our journey (Psalm 119:105); through it God will teach you how to live the Christian life.