The Bible is God’s words for you and God wants you to understand it.
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (Psalm 119:105)
How to read the Bible: a straightforward way
Read the Bible in a straightforward way. Don’t look for hidden codes or secret meanings, because it is not God’s intent to hide these in the Bible. But read the Bible in a straightforward way, and let God speak to you.
For a brief introduction to the Bible, see Brief Bible Overview.
You can download a Bible to your mobile device and read in your native language. There are also free web versions of the Bible. Below are a few recommended English versions:
How to read the Bible: Prepare your heart
When you read, prepare your heart and mind to receive what God wants to tell you. So before you start reading, pray and ask God to give you wisdom and understanding. Ask God to speak to you through His word.
“Open my eyes to see the wonderful truths in your instructions.” (Psalm 119:18)
Experience the Bible because it’s alive
“For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.” (Hebrews 4:12)
Remember, the Bible is not full of dead words, but God’s words for you. The Bible can convict you of sin. It can also give you peace and comfort. Those who read and follow it will be blessed. You can experience the Bible, not just read it, because God speaks to you through His word personally.
As you listen to His words and live it out, you can experience the faithfulness of God just like the people of the Bible did. Test it out for yourself!
Since the Bible is God’s living word, you should read it daily. Each day, read at least a couple of paragraphs or a chapter of the Bible.
Experience the Bible: Take it to heart
“Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock. Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and it fell—and great was its fall.” (Matthew 7:24-27)
The next step is to act on and take to heart what you have learned. What is God saying to you through His word? Pray and ask God to help you apply His principles to your life. Don’t be simply a hearer but be a doer of His word (James 1:22). If you do not act on His words, you will become like the foolish man Jesus spoke of. But if you act on His words, you will experience God’s goodness and see His faithfulness in your life.
How to read the Bible: Don’t be discouraged
Don’t be discouraged if you don’t understand parts of the Bible as you are reading it. This happens to everyone, especially when you first start reading.
If you have a question when reading your Bible, you can type in your question at GotQuestions.org. You will find answers to many questions there. Also see Christian Answers for Bible answers to various topics.
Many times the Holy Spirit will give you understanding as you read. So be sure to pray and ask God to help you as well. God wrote a book for you to read, and will also provide help so that you can understand it. So don’t be discouraged and keep reading. He will help you, and you will understand a lot more over time.
Anything worth pursuing takes effort. Who has gotten a good result in school or work or any pursuit without practice and perseverance? Understanding the Bible is worth the effort, because God has the words of eternal life (John 6:68). A wise person used to say: “Success is equal to 100% God and 100% you”.[1] So put in your 100% and God will do His part to give you success!
Bible Studies
See Bible Studies to grow in faith. Learn how to meditate on God’s word.
[1] Roughly quoting from a booklet of RBC Ministries and Our Daily Bread Ministries.