Reading the Bible is a foundational part of growing in our relationship with God and understanding how He wants us to live. The Bible is a big book, which can make knowing where to start a bit tricky! Here are some recommendations to get you started:
• Pick up a Study Bible – this will give you plenty of built-in tools like maps, chapter and character summaries, and footnotes that explain what each verse or section of verses means.
• Start in the New Testament – we suggest starting with the book of John, which goes through Jesus’ life and ministry. Then you can continue forward in Acts, which tells us all about the early Christian church. Once you finish that, Romans is filled with wisdom and instruction on how to live the Christian life well.
• Focus on quality over quantity. It’s not about how fast or how much you read, but that you understand it and can apply it to your life. Even one chapter a day can be meaningful and give you plenty to think about! Highlight and underline things that stand out to you. If one verse really seems to grab your attention, pause and pray about what God wants to speak to you through it.
• If you want to read the Bible while on the go, download the free YouVersion Bible App – it’s filled with different translations of the Bible, reading plans, devotionals, and more! You can even create a profile and add friends to do reading plans with.
For those who want to dive into understanding all the Bible has to offer, Pastor Jordan created a free booklet, “Understanding and Studying the Bible” to give you a more in-depth understanding about God’s Word and how to get the most of it.
You can also watch Bible Basics – Answers to 7 Common Questions About the Bible or Receiving Real Truth from God