Opening the Bible for the first time can feel overwhelming. Where do you start? The good news is you don’t need to be a scholar. With a few simple steps, you can begin reading God’s Word and grow closer to Jesus every day.
The Bible is the most popular book in human history. It’s filled with life-changing wisdom and can help anyone get to know God better.
But let’s be honest. The Bible is also complicated, ancient, sometimes violent, and often strange. If it were easy, you wouldn’t need this guide.
So why have people kept coming back to this book for thousands of years?
- Is it because it’s one of the best-preserved ancient texts of all time?
- Or because it offers practical advice?
- Or because, somehow, God’s life-giving presence is in its message?
The answer is, of course, all of the above. And more.
Why Read the Bible?
Christians read the Bible to become more like Jesus Christ. To learn His way of love, humility, and kindness.
Not to impress friends with Bible trivia. Not to win arguments on social media. Not to keep God happy.
Jesus summed up our purpose as Christians this way:
… “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:37-40 NIV
Whenever you open the Bible, ask yourself: How does this help me love God and love others like Jesus?
Whenever you open the Bible, ask yourself: How does this help me love God and love others like Jesus? Sometimes the answer is obvious. Other times, especially in difficult or strange passages, it takes reflection and prayer. But the goal is always the same: to grow into the likeness of Christ.
How to Start
1. Pick a Time and Place
Don’t wait until you “feel like it.” Pick a regular time that works for you—morning, evening, 2:00am, or whenever—and stick with it! Reading the Bible regularly matters more than finding the perfect moment of the day.
It helps to choose a spot where you’ll look forward to spending time. The corner of your couch, front porch, or favorite chair. Keeping it simple helps make it a habit.
2. Pick a Bible Version
There’s no single best Bible version. To start, I’d recommend the New International Version (NIV) or the New Living Translation (NLT). Both are clear and readable. They make it easier to start reading God’s Word without getting stuck in complicated language.
Check out this guide to different versions of the Bible.
3. Use Helpful Bible Study Tools
The following tools aren’t required, but they can make your Bible study experience more engaging.
- Journal: Use this space to write down verses that stand out or confuse you.
- Study Bible: This kind of Bible includes context and other helpful notes to help you understand what you’re reading.
- Bible Apps and Websites: The Bible App from YouVersion, Blue Letter Bible, and more provide reading plans and reminders that can help you build a Bible habit.
4. Choose a Place to Begin
Where should you start reading the Bible? That depends!
Some people like to start right at the beginning of the Old Testament with the creation story in Genesis. Others like to begin with the practical wisdom of Proverbs or the poetry of the Psalms. Many start with commonly preached New Testament books like Paul’s letters to the Romans or Ephesians.
If you’re new to reading the Bible, the best place to start may be the gospels—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. They tell the story of Jesus.
5. Pray First
Before you read God’s Word, pause and pray. Ask the Holy Spirit to give you understanding.
This prayer doesn’t need to be complex or super spiritual. Here’s an example prayer to get you started:
Dear God, thank You for giving me Your Word. Help me understand it, focus on it, and live it. When I get confused, give me the courage to keep going. In Jesus’ name, amen.
How to Read the Bible Well
1. Read Slowly
The Bible was designed to be read slowly, intentionally, and with care. It isn’t a manual or a textbook. It’s an ancient collection of wisdom, stories, laws, and poetry. So don’t feel pressured to rush.
One Bible verse read deeply can be more powerful than skimming a whole chapter.
2. Remember Jesus
As you read, always ask: How does this passage help me become more like Jesus Christ?
The Bible isn’t for guilt trips, head knowledge, or impressing others. It’s for transformation.
Sometimes a passage will encourage you. Other times, it may challenge you to grow. Both are part of the life change God works in us.
3. Pay Attention to Context
Every word in the Bible was written by someone who lived in a specific culture, facing specific challenges, writing to specific people. To put it plainly, the Bible wasn’t written to us (modern readers).
Now, I’m not saying we need to be scholars fluent in ancient languages to read the Bible well. But I am saying that we need to approach the Bible carefully. How do we do that?
- Read passages, not just verses. One of the most famous Bible verses is Philippians 4:13, which says, “I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” We’d be unwise to read this verse and jump to the conclusion that we can do anything we want to do because of Jesus.
When we look at the passage this verse is a part of, we discover pretty quickly what it’s saying. The biblical author has faced countless hardships, but he can persevere through Jesus. So it’s not a verse about unlimited spiritual power—it’s actually a verse about remaining hopeful despite pain.
- Expect unusual stories. The biblical authors were just as intelligent as us, but had a completely different way of approaching things like science, history, and theology. So we should expect their writings to get weird. As in, talking donkey, fire from the sky, hundred-eyed angels, weird.
As we read these strange-to-us stories, it’s helpful to stay focused on the message of the author. Look for the truth behind the story: How is God using this passage to teach His people how to love God and others?
How to read weird Bible stories.
4. Apply What You Read
The Book of James tells us:
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. James 1:22 NIV
“The word” in James’ day was how early Christians spoke about the good news of Jesus’ sacrificial death and resurrection. This passage is saying, “Don’t just listen to and accept the gospel, but let it change your life.”
Here’s a list of some great questions to ask as you apply the Bible to your life:
Bible Study Questions to Ask
- Is anyone in this story an example of the care, compassion, and grace of Jesus?
- Is anyone in this story an example of what it looks like to not show the love of Jesus?
- Is there a promise, warning, or invitation in this passage?
- What part of this passage connects with my current season of life?
- What emotion does this passage stir in me today?
- What is challenging or uncomfortable in this passage?
- What is encouraging in this passage?
- What does this passage show me about loving God or others?
Final Encouragement
It’s okay to have questions, and it’s okay to not understand everything in the Bible right away.
What matters is that you keep going. Read the Bible regularly, focus on Jesus, and let the Holy Spirit guide you.
We don’t read the Bible to check a spiritual box, impress our small group, win arguments, or make God happy with us. We read the Bible because we want to be more like Jesus, and the Bible is one of the best tools that helps us grow.
If you want to start studying the Bible, keep it simple:
- Pick a time.
- Pick a place.
- Open the gospels.
- Pray.
- Read slowly.
- Ask questions.
- Apply what you learn.
And trust that God is with you as you begin your journey of reading the Bible.