Opening the Word: A Friendly Guide to Starting Your Bible Reading Adventure

Welcome reader and happy April!

This month, I’ve decided to delve into one of my favorite topics: the Bible! If this does not excite, do not worry. My goal is to help you find a new love and passion for reading and studying the Bible. I will be sharing some helpful tips to begin reading the Bible, fall in love with it again, and understand it better.

Today, let’s dive into basics and talk about how to begin reading the Bible. If you’ve been reading the Bible for a long time, don’t worry! It’s always good to dust off some cobwebs and refresh our minds a bit.

Remember the Purpose

Remember one thing as you read: The whole Bible tells the story of Jesus and his redemption of humanity.

Although it may be easier to understand this in some parts of the Bible than in others, the whole point of the Bible is to show us Jesus, and his loving redemption of humanity.

Even the darkest stories serve as a contrast between humanity’s fallen state and helplessness to save themselves and Jesus’ astounding love and plan for redemption and complete restoration. So as you read any portion of the Bible, remember that it all points to Jesus and his redemption of humanity.

Choose Your Translation Wisely

Pick a Bible translation that’s easy to follow.

Let’s face it, few of us understand Shakespeare English. And yet, many of us expect to understand The King James Version of the Bible. Trust me, I have nothing against the KJV. I absolutely love it! But if you want to be able to understand the Bible without feeling like your brain is glitching every five seconds, then maybe consider reading a more modern translation.

There is a wide variety of solid Bible translations out there. One of my favorites is the New Living Translation. It is fresh, true to the original texts, and easy to comprehend for us average readers. If you’ve read the Bible for a long time and want a very dynamic translation, consider The Passion Translation. I find it gives new language to solid truths.

Many people struggle to pick up a new translation out of fear of reading an inaccurate Bible. My suggestion to you is this: Explore and do your research! If you’re not confident about a new translation, research it throughly before passing judgement. And hey, you may be surprised. I find it is enriching to read from various translations as it gives me fuller language for solid, biblical truths.

Where to Begin

Where to start and what to read first – Genesis, John, or none?

There are many opinions on where to start, and one of the most common ones is the book of John. And, if you think about it, it makes a lot of sense. The book of John fully presents Jesus as the son of God and tells the whole story of his life and ministry here on earth. And yet, this book is also incredibly profound and begins with a deep theological statement: In the beginning, was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. Confused yet? I love this verse, and this whole book, but if you find it overwhelming, don’t worry! This might not be the place to start for you. (Although it might, so keep an open heart and mind!)

Many other people want to start at the very beginning, Genesis, but after all the fun stories they start losing interest in the nitty gritty and sometimes gory passages. They may get through Genesis, and through the beginning of Exodus, but then they lose interest and their attention span can no longer grip the intricacies of the Mosaic Law.

So, where do you actually start so you don’t feel completely at sea?

My personal recommendation for lovers of stories and storytellers out there is to read the book of Luke. Yes, it may be the longest of the four Gospels, but it is presented as a story, personally written to a mysterious man named Theophilus. Luke presents who Jesus is, what he did, and how he did it through a beautifully designed and personal letter.

If you want to feel immersed in the story of the Bible, I highly recommend reading Luke first. (And don’t feel overwhelmed by the genealogy in chapter 3. It’s not too long!) Luke shares many parables not found in other Gospels and he has a unique way to present Jesus’ ministry to women. The good news is, if you love this book, there’s a sequel in the book of Acts!

Reading Strategies

Read a bit at a time – quality over quantity!

The thing about the Bible is that it’s meant to be, well, eaten. It’s meant to be something you digest, meditate on, and absorb into your daily life. So don’t feel pressure to read chapters at a time, or even a chapter at a day. Focus on sections instead, and make sure you prioritize understanding over speeding through it. It’s a whole lot more powerful when we soak in the Bible instead of speed read through it just to check off a box.

Highlight and take notes

If you’re the kind of person who learns more when actively engaging through highlighting and note taking, then I highly recommend you do this as you read. Highlight what stands out to you, make a note on something you find interesting, or even journal about what you do or don’t understand. Engaging with the Bible is a sure way to better squeeze all the good juice out of it.

Tip: For some people, a highlighting system might work great. (Blue for promises, yellow for commandments, etc.) For others, a journaling Bible is extremely beneficial. And even for other, an electronic Bible such as YouVersion is the best option. Do what works for you!

Use Available Resources

Take advantage of great resources

I know you speak English because you’re reading this, and the majority of the Bible study resources are in English and available for free. So take advantage of them! I highly recommend the Bible Study Project videos, as well as their website. They have incredibly overviews on different books of the Bible and give a wide panorama on what each book is all about.

Also, get YouVersion and start a free plan. They have plans on a wide range of topics, from Bible studies to plans on purpose, dreams, peace, etc.

Note: If you want access to free lessons on a wide range of topics such as Bible study, faith, hearing God’s voice, etc. there’s a great app called MessengerX by John and Lisa Bevere. This is a great resource for those wanting to grow in their faith through more developed classes, books and resources.

Make It Enjoyable

Make it fun! (And do it with Jesus and others.)

My last tip for you today is to make reading the word of God something fun. Maybe that looks like getting a new Bible if it’s currently possible for you. Maybe that looks like getting a cup of homemade coffee or tea whenever you’re going to study your Bible. Maybe you need to get your favorite journal or markers. And maybe, just maybe, you need to do it with a friend.

You don’t need to spend tons of money to make it a five star experience. Do it with what you have and start where you are. That is the best place!

Finally, do it with Jesus and enjoy spending time with him. If you don’t understand, ask Jesus about it. If you need help, ask him to help you. He will not make it harder for you. I actually believe he wants to open up your mind’s eyes and make it easier for you.

So what are you waiting for? Let’s go read the word!

I’m excited to share more resources in the coming months, so stay tuned for more updates and fun posts like this.

Until the next one,
Anna