You may also want to get a better sense of the Bible as a text through close reading and meditation. By using our site, you agree to our. They are strictly there to make locating particular verses easier. Analyze the verses by reading them aloud and identify any questions or ideas raised. Getting God’s Word into your life doesn’t have to take long. A popular Bible version for children and those who are still trying to learn … There are 15 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. Jeremiah 29:13 says, “You will seek me and find Me, if you seek Me with all your heart.” God loves to reveal himself to those who seek Him. Add the version of the Bible … Bible Verses About Forgiveness - Read passages that offer biblical guidance on forgiveness and how important it is to forgive others as we have been forgiven by the blood of Christ. The whole Bible is arranged into 365 daily readings, including an Old Testament passage, a New Testament passage, and a Psalm or Proverb for each day. It is my prayer that this beginner's guide to reading the Bible will encourage you and help you reach your goals! 10 Easy Ways to Get it Back, 10 Things the Bible Says about the Mark of the Beast, 6 Things to Know about the Messianic Prophecies of Jesus, A Prayer for Families Going through Divorce This Christmas, 6 Ways to Protect Your Peace This Christmas. Good News Translation. Next to each reference is a short phrase from the verse containing the word. Helpful tips for reading the Bible: Use a translation that is easy to read. John’s purpose in writing is to help us believe, making it the ideal place to start. You may also find it useful to listen to audio recordings of Bible verses. Many people read their Bible first thing in the morning, choosing to spend time with God before daily distractions get in the way. If you keep on reading, starting at verse 18, you ˜nd that you are giv en a complete explanation of the parable. Let’s look at a couple of examples: Look at Matthew 13 v 1 to 9 In this chapter we are presented with the parable of the sower. Chose a time and place that’s convenient for you. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Can Loved Ones in Heaven Look Down on You? 5) The fifth suggestion is to use a Bible reading plan. For example, you may follow a teaching on trust in the Bible by shifting how you talk to your partner or how you communicate with God. Read Multiple Translations. This book (the fourth book in the New Testament) is John’s eyewitness account of the life of Jesus. Is this a story or a letter? Through your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way. For example, if you are struggling with feelings of fear or doubt, you may read and reflect on verses that address these topics. The Bible was never meant to merely inform us; the Bible was meant to transform us. Here’s the flat out truth: If we don’t understand it, we won’t read it. Reading Paul’s epistles as we read alongside his missionary journeys can give us a new appreciation for his relationship to these churches and their backstory. You can also bring the verses to a Bible study group so you can share them with others and reflect on them together. Sometimes I keep the verse with me throughout the day. For example, I may read “For God so loved the world” in John 3:16. Once you have done a close reading of the verses, apply them to your daily life to deepen your spirituality. Looking up a Verse by Number Identify the book of the verse. What does this teach me about how I should live. On the radio I use this simple rule to help me answer the majority of Bible questions I’m asked, even when I’m not familiar with the particular passage. After all, isn't that the whole point of reading the Bible! If the second chapter-verse reference is from the same book of the Bible, do not repeat the book’s name (e.g. When Bible verses are listed, the first … This means that you should be able to get through the entire Bible in a year by spending around 15 minutes a day on this effort. Sometimes less is more, especially when reading less means you’ll actually remember more. That’s right, never read a Bible verse. The 27 books of the New Testament pick up the story beginning with the birth of Jesus. You may then ask questions about the phrase, such as “Who is the ‘you’ and the ‘me’ in the phrase?” “What does this phrase say about my relationship to God?” “What evils do I fear or worry about in my life?”. This daily Bible reading plan will give you all the benefits of a steady diet of God's Word as you read through Scripture in a year. No doubt, as you read you’ll find one or two verses that seem to leap off the page. They make some big mistakes (sometimes on purpose). For example, (John 3:16, New International Version). In order to read a passage well, you first need to understand it. You need to understand the genre, the tone, the purpose for which it was written, and at least have a general comprehension of what the passage means. Which is why in order to read the Bible in context, we need to read it in its historical context—beginning with the author and the original audience. Memorize the Bible 4. Listen to how the verses sound. Is this God speaking to man or man speaking to God? Sometimes I meditate on the Bible verse. Most full-Bible reading plans focus on a year, which is a very reasonable amount of time to read through the Bible. Start by reading the Bible five minutes a day. Scores of people feel overwhelmed when it comes to reading the Bible. Article Images Copyright ©, How to Read the Bible: The Beginner's Guide to Reading the Bible, 'Better Is One Day in Your Courts' Hopeful Meaning Behind the Verse in Psalm 84:10, California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. The Bible was originally written in Hebrew and Greek. Her facial expression said it all: I have no idea where to start reading the Bible. (For example, see UCG Bible Reading Program (OT only, soon to be expanded to include NT.) Concept #2: The Biblical literature contains a wide spectrum of literary styles that should be taken into account when trying to read and understand it. This practice has cemented God’s Word into my thoughts in countless ways. Is this a poetic, meditative passage reflecting on pain and persecution? Read the Bible like Jesus is talking to you personally. Ask Him to use His Word to help you know Him and love Him. This can deepen your spiritual practice and make you feel closer to God as you read. Sometimes I memorize it. Reading the Epistles with Acts. For example, if you are reading verses that describe Jesus’ birth, check the surrounding verses for any details about events that lead to Jesus’ birth or an introduction by the author. How to read the Bible: Read a little every day! The Bible study resources are available across all Bible versions, so it doesn't matter which Bible version you select. Last Updated: March 29, 2019 The entire Bible revolves around Jesus as mankind's access to God. • The Bible was written by 40 authors, covering a period of approximately 1600 years. Our generous partners make it possible for us to offer 2,062 Bible versions in 1,372 languages for free, and without advertising. Scared of messing up your first relationship? Another example of the Bible explaining it self is found in the prophecy of Isaiah. Many books in the Bible, such as the Letters from Paul, were originally read aloud to a congregation, rather than written down. Romans 3:23; 10:9; Ephesians 2:8,10). Translation names should not be abbreviated (e.g., write out King James Version instead of using KJV). Though I’d grown up in the church and had earned my share of Scripture memory badges in Sunday School, I was an adult before I realized I didn’t actually understand much of the Bible. Reference the verse, then cite the book, chapter and verse number in the first in-text reference to the Bible. You may also pull out the verses regularly so you can read them and try to understand them better. The Bible contains 66 separate books compiled into one book. For example, historical books of the Bible clearly are meant to be taken literally as real, accurate history. For example, if you are trying to find Proverbs 31:25-27, you would look in the book of Proverbs for chapter 31, verse 25-27. The Bible is most of all a Story. Already installed on over 450 million unique devices all over the world, the Bible App offers a free Bible experience for smartphones, tablets, and online at Bible.com. This nontraditional type of Bible takes all the stories from the entire Bible and re-orders them so that as you read from front to back, you also read from the past to the future. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published, This article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. What is God seeking to communicate to us in it? Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” You may try picking Bible verses at random to read and analyze once a day so you can spend more time with the Bible. Over 25 percent of the New Testament was written by the apostle Paul, and all of his letters fit into the narrative Luke provides in Acts. Notice any words … If you’re anything like me, you need a Bible reading plan or you’ll waste precious minutes thumbing through the Bible, never quite landing. 40 Day Bible Reading Plan – easy way to get started. Will I Still Be Married to My Spouse in Heaven? Read the Bible 2. If you’re new to the Bible, the best place to start is the Gospel of John. Psalms is filled with heartfelt prayers that offer encouragement for every season of life. You can try audio version of the Bible or maintain a diary or write and remember the chapters and verse correctly. Let us know in the comments below how you've been able to begin reading the Bible and what is has done for you! As one of Jesus’ closest disciples, John’s account is both riveting and informative. Be intentional about getting God’s Word into your thoughts and you’ll soon see your relationship with God thrive and your life change. You may start with a few verses from one of the Gospels to deepen your understanding of Jesus’ life and teachings. Jesus Christ can be seen in every book of the Bible. Subsequent citations do not require the translation unless that changes. Her story is our story. This may be useful if you are new to reading the Bible and would like to make understanding the sequence of events in the text easier. The average reader reads about 200 words per minute. At times they are downright mean. It’s been years since I encountered the gal at Barnes and Noble but when I think of her, I smile. My mind naturally thinks of “love” as affectionate or romantic, but that’s not what this verse means. Look for Biblical types of Jesus in the Old Testament like Adam, Moses, and Joseph. If you read one chapter of John a day, (which will take no more than 5-10 minutes) you’ll read John in it’s entirety in 21 days. There are many plans available to help with reading the Bible in a year, where passages are assigned for each day of the year. Meditate on the Bible. For example, locating John 3:16 requires the reader to first find the book of John in the Bible. You may also come across parables that describe a short scene and ask rhetorical questions or end with a clear lesson. Keep in mind that from a spiritual perspective, the chapter and verse numbers do not have any significance on the meaning of the verses. Then close your Bible, and be sure to make that your last waking thought. Psalm 119:103-105 “ How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! She stood frozen, open-mouthed in front of the rows of Bibles in the religion section at Barnes and Noble. Start small—five or 10 minutes is better than none. This article has been viewed 17,032 times. Abbreviate the name of the book and add a period if it is long – for example, abbreviate “Ezekiel” to “Ezek.” Add the chapter number, followed by a colon, and verse number. Ask God use His Word to teach you, to direct you and even to re-direct you, when necessary. Unless the context seems to require it, it is not necessary to use an ellipsis (…) before or after a quoted portion of a Scripture verse. Sometimes, simply reading and praying on the verses can be a big help. The NLT version of the Bible is most readable while still being literal in its translation; the Study Bibles contain footnotes that explain difficult to understand passages of Scripture. The 39 books of the Old Testament are the story of God and his people before the coming of the Messiah—Jesus. This can also broaden your faith and deepen your understanding of the Bible as a text. Study the Bible 3. The Bible includes a lot of poetry, for example, and in order to understand a poem we must have a basic awareness of how poetry communicates. “These things were written to help you believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name” (John 20:31). Work your way through one book at a time, and you’ll never find yourself fumbling for where to read again. Instead, always read a paragraph—at least. Instead of reading single verses, read the entire chapter so that you can know what the verse means in context. Did you know: Originally, the Bible was written in … “Every passage of Scripture emerges in the course of history” (47). Analyzing the Verses Read the Bible verses aloud. “When thinking about the original audience,” Hunter and Wellum explain, “we should distinguish the original characters in the story from the original readers, those who were reading Scripture about those characters” (47). Observation is the first and most important step in how to study the Bible. She looked even more relieved when I showed her where and how to start reading the Bible. Citations in the APA style add the translation of the Bible after the verse. If you’re a beginner, I recommend the New Living Translation (NLT), or a study Bible in the English Standard Version (ESV) or New International Version (NIV). Bible Engager’s Blog. For example, you may focus on a specific phrase like “I will fear no evil, for you are with me” to determine the key idea in the verses. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. References. You can also select verses to study based on your interests. Sometimes I ask God to help me remember it when I need it. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Don’t take scripture verses out of context. Observation. They get afraid and run away. First, I encourage you to start, even on a modified and very small level. As you read … Personally, I love to read my Bible at a local coffee shop, but I once read through the entire Bible while waiting in carpool lines. wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. These are my top suggestions for those wondering how to start reading the Bible. Getting God’s Word into your life doesn’t have to take … But if mornings aren’t your thing, don’t sweat it. Next read Philippians, Ephesians and Colossians, which provide practical encouragement and instruction for living the Christian life. Some translations focus on being more precise and are best for Bible study, while others focus on readability and are great for devotions. Remember, the Bible is God’s Word; it is God’s love letter written to His people, which includes you. Bible Study Resources - Tips, Online Bible Search, Devotions, 3 Reasons the 'Christmas Star' of 2020 Is Bringing So Much Hope. This site is a proud member of the Salem Web Network, a subsidiary of, Copyright © 2020, Crosswalk.com. This will help keep you focused and motivated. One of the earliest translations to English was the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible, but today we have a variety of versions to choose from. We all begin somewhere in our relationship with God. Learn more... Reading verses in the Bible is a great way to enrich your spiritual practice and learn more about the teachings of God and Jesus. Try reading one book of the Bible in one sitting or over the period of several days, as they were designed to be read all at once. All rights reserved. return to earth. So get a good Catholic Bible with great indexed footnotes. How in the world do I know where to start reading and making sense of the entire Bible? It can be difficult to memorise the Bible. For example, you may analyze a verse like, “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God” by considering the importance of chariots and horses in the time the verse was written. They are often a good option if you are new to reading Bible verses. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. The Bible contains different kinds of literature — stories, letters, proverbs, poems, and prophecy to name a few — and we must be aware of the different ways each of these communicates. 2. If you are reading verses that use poetic language and short phrases, you are likely reading poetry. Pause to let the message sink in because these words are God’s words to you. And if studying the Bible doesn’t make you a more loving, kind, and gentle person, then you are doing something wrong. You can also download a Bible app or read the Bible at biblestudytools.com. In the original Greek, “love” in this verse is agapaō which means good-will, to be fond of. For example, if you want to study John 3, look it up using Bible Gateway's search feature. You can also scan the Bible for verses that contain terms like “hope,” “love,” “healing,” or “fear.”. Pause before you open your Bible and ask God to speak to you. I always recommend starting with a translation that is more literal (word … For example, in the concordance of the NIV Study Bible, below the word warrior are the references Exodus 15:3; 1 Chronicles 28:3; and Proverbs 16:32. My new friend looked visibly relieved when I asked if she’d like help choosing a Bible. Maybe, even now, you’re shaking your head in agreement, thinking, Yes. That you read God’s Word is more important than when you read God’s Word. The Bible does have some heroes in it, but (as you’ll soon find out) most of the people in the Bible aren’t heroes at all. Is this a triumphant passage proclaiming the glories of God? May I reach across the computer screen and help you, too? When a verse resonates with you, stop and write it down, word for word. After few days, I forget though. Romans is jam-packed with essential doctrine. This article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. Bible verses are expressed in numbers, or occasionally with Roman numerals. Think about how you can interpret older ideas or terms using a modern perspective. Once you have been assigned a pas… For example, if you are reading verses that describe the details and events of Jesus’ birth in the book of Luke, you would be looking at prose. In the morning, read through the five psalms with your verse in mind and let it be the theme of your meditation that day. Maybe they speak to an issue you’ve been grappling with; maybe they answer a long held question; maybe they give you comfort or encouragement; maybe they provide an example to follow or avoid. Choose a Study Bible in a User-Friendly Translation. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. For exa… There are four steps to mastering the Bible so well that the Bible masters you: 1. The table shows on what page number the first chapter of John lies. You may find it useful to pray often on the verses as you read the Bible. wikiHow's. After reading John, move on to the other gospels – Matthew, Mark or Luke. It will give you a track to follow. If you wake up during the night, think about the verse. I rounded the corner and saw her. No, the Bible isn’t a book of rules, or a book of heroes. These are great tools for beginners and veterans alike. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 17,032 times. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/f9\/Read-Bible-Verses-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Read-Bible-Verses-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/f9\/Read-Bible-Verses-Step-1.jpg\/aid9490644-v4-728px-Read-Bible-Verses-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"