How to Read/Study the Bible
Rooted and Built Up Blog
Dec. 18, 2019
Before I became a Christian and even as a new Christian I can remember how daunting of a task it seemed to be to read the Bible. I must have picked it up with the intention to read it a million times. Each time being met with failure only a few pages in. This week I wanted to post a resource for those of you that have ever had a hard time understanding the Bible like I did when I first started to read it. Being able to read and enjoy the Bible has grown my relationship with Christ tremendously! Now when I'm feeling lost or in need of help, I am able to confidently turn to the Bible instead of empty things. Being able to read and understand the Bible has also enabled me to teach others about the love and joy found in Christ.
Whether you are not a Christian but would like to be able to read the Bible to look for answers like I was a few short years ago, a new Christian who would like to learn more about God, or even a seasoned Christian who wants to dig deeper into God’s word, this post is for you! I have thought long and hard about what hindered my Bible study in the past and what has made it easier over the years. These are my top five suggestions when it comes to how to read or study the Bible and actually understand and learn from it. Also as a bonus, below you will find a free printable Bible Study Tool. I have created this file for those of you that need a place to organize and write down what you are studying. If it is something you think you want to try out, you can click the links below or visit my Resource page for a full list of tools available for free on my site!
Pick a Translation
I think that this first step can be a make it or break it decision. The first fifty or so times I picked up a Bible and tried to read it were all met with frustration and confusion. I wasn't understanding half of what I read and I didn't understand how people could find joy in reading it. This was because I was reading a translation that was not best suited for me. For those of you that may not know, the Bible has been translated into thousands of languages and hundreds of them are English versions. They all say the same basic thing, but some translations are easier to read and understand than others. For example take a look at the passage below from Matthew 19:4-6. I have selected a few of the more popular translations.
Matthew 19:4-6 KJV 4And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, 5And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? 6Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let no man put asunder.
Matthew 19:4-6 NIV 4“Haven’t you read,” he replied, “that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’ 5and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’? 6So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”
Matthew 19:4-6 ESV 4He answered, “Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female, 5and said, ‘therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? 6So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.”
They all are the same few verses and they all are saying the same thing but I’m sure one or two versions are easier for you to understand. Pick the translation that you understand best. The translation is not as important as you being able to read and understand God’s word. As long as the translation you are using is sound (it holds up equivalently to other translations) pick whatever one or ones suit you best. If you come upon a verse that does not make sense to you, see if there is another translation that helps you to better understand it. I personally prefer NKJV or NIV because they are easiest for me to read but try a few versions out to see what works for you.
Pick a Bible
After you have decided what translation works best for you, I suggest finding a Bible that you can use to study from. There are plenty of really awesome Bibles to choose from. You could go the more traditional route and get a standard Bible available anywhere but for first time Bible readers and those new to studying the Bible, or even those just ready to dig deeper into God’s word, I suggest getting a study Bible. These have word references, verse references, and depending on the Bible you choose they can even have devotions, world application, Bible timelines and more! The one I use is The Study Bible for Women by Holman in NKJV. It is so helpful to have everything you need right there on the page. Study Bibles can be found in most stores and online.
If you don’t want to purchase a Bible or are more of a tech savvy person you could opt for an electronic Bible. Technology is great and you can always find an online version of the Bible or if you prefer you can download a Bible app, my favorite is the YouVersion Bible App. This app is great because it has multiple translations, audio versions, study plans, bookmarks and notes, daily verses and even reminder notifications. I love these features and when I’m on the go it makes studying the Bible so much easier! If you go for the electronic Bible option be careful though and remember that surrounded by Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Candy Crush, the Bible App can be easily overlooked and you may forget that you were supposed to be studying. That is why for studying, I prefer a hard copy to limit my distractions.
Also, I should mention here to not be afraid to write in your Bible! This is your Bible and it is a tool for you! When I am reading through my Bible I love to see what I have highlighted and noted in the past. Since the Bible is the living word of God, it speaks differently to you in different situations and seasons of your life even though the words never change. If you need more room than what is available in your Bible I suggest using a journal or study tool to help you focus in and map out what you are reading. I have created the Bible Study Tool pictured below for those of you that are interested.
Pick a plan
Okay, so you’ve picked a translation and got yourself a Bible, now what? It’s easy to get lost and bored if you just start reading from the beginning with no background or direction, especially when you get to some of the more repetative verses about family lineage. If you are completely new to the Bible and Christianity in general I recommend starting with the Gospel which is the account of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. The Gospel consists of the first four books in the New Testament, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John (if you are already completely lost by me saying phrases like the Gospel and New and Old Testament, hang in there and check back soon because I will be making another post about Bible basics!). These books will give you the basis of Christianity. If you are not new to the Bible or have already gone through the Gospel, find a plan online, YouVersion, or any other place to help guide you and to help you stay focused.
Have Resources Handy
When I read the Bible I always have a few things handy. Obviously I have my study Bible. Then I also have my notebook, and my phone. Although my phone can be a distraction at times I find that it is more helpful than a distraction because of the resources that I have on it. During my Bible time I use my phone as a dictionary to look up words I don’t know, a translator to compare different translations, and a way to answer some of my questions that come up when reading. I use the YouVersion Bible App for these things but I also use one of my other favorite apps Got Questions?. This app is wonderful when you have questions about the Bible or Christianity in general. There are the general questions like 'what is the Bible', all the way down to more in depth and even random questions like 'did the people in the Bible have last names'. You can even submit questions to be answered if it is not one that has already been answered. There are also a ton of other Bible resources available online.
(This post is not sponsored by YouVersion or Got Questions I just genuinely love these Apps and find them super helpful!)
Find a Study Group
While it is good to have alone time to study the Bible, it has helped me so much to have a group of people to talk to about what I am reading. My group has seasoned Christians, new Christians, and those of us in the middle. We are able to discuss selected passages and bounce questions and ideas back and forth, dig deeper, and discuss how what God is saying relates to our lives today. If you aren’t sure on how to get connected with a group of people, I recommend contacting someone at your church so that they can point you in the right direction. If you are a seasoned Christian, likewise you should talk to someone at your church and join a Bible study group or even start one because it really is amazing to be able to come together and discuss God’s word.
I hope these steps have been helpful. Please Like, Comment, and Share with others! Also don’t forget to get the free printable Bible Study Tool HERE before you leave!
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