This post will help you begin to read the bible with tips on how and where to start and develop your reading into a plan or study when you don’t know where to start.
How to read the Bible when you don’t know where to start can seem like a big challenge. Normally when you begin reading a book, you start at the beginning and read until the end.
The Bible is made up of 66 books so that you can start at the beginning, or you can choose to start with any one of the books within the Bible.
There are many different Bibles that you can choose from; here are just a few of the different Bibles you can choose from below.
- NLT – New Living Translation
- English Standard Version
- New International Version
- King James Version
- New King James Version
- New American Standard Version
- Christian Standard Bible
- God’s Word Translation
And the list goes on! The best advice I can give you is that you look at a few of the different Bibles and see what seems the easiest or nicest to read for you. What one person will enjoy, another won’t. You need to see what you prefer for your journey with God.
My favorite is the New International Version, the English Standard Version, or the New Living Translation as they seem to be the easiest to read, but as I said, it’s whatever you find the most comfortable to read and understand soo that you can spend time in the word.
The answer to this is anytime is a good time to read the Bible. However, depending on your schedule, family, and work commitments, you can look to fitting it into your routine where it works best for you to gain the most from your time with God.
Some people love to read the bible first thing in the morning before they start their day. In comparison, others will prefer to read later on when they have free or quiet time.
Or you can always read your bible in the evening, even if it’s just before you go to bed. It really is your choice and when it fits into your daily routine. The main thing is to make it enjoyable and not to rush.
Again the choice is yours. If you can only start with 5 minutes a day, then rather become consistent in that habit first, and then you can increase the length of time from there.
The aim is to build a good routine rather than reading the Bible for one whole day and then not reading it for six months thereafter.
Or you can choose to read a page, a psalm, a passage, or set a 30 minute to an hour timer for your reading. Just form the habit.
You can read a verse that you enjoy, a passage, or a psalm. You can start in the new testament or the old. Your reading can start at the beginning of the Bible, and you can read all the way through until the end.
Or you can choose to read from one of the gospels. It really doesn’t matter where you choose so long as you read the Bible and become familiar with the word.
I found the easiest way was to begin by reading the new testament and the gospel. It then made more sense to then go back to the start of the Bible in Genesis and continue reading there as my understanding I found was much better.
Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.
Joshua 1:8 NLT
Check out my free guide for How To Pray in 5 Easy Steps
The best way to develop your understanding of the Bible and God’s word is through Bible study, journaling, and talking with other Christians if you are unsure of something or want guidance.
Read more here How To Begin Bible Journaling As A Beginner.
Working in small group Bible studies can also help. Praying to God for His help to understand and interpret the word and listen to the reply that He may give to you.
Being consistent and using and reading your Bible daily will help develop your understanding of God’s word.
Read with the right attitude. Humble yourself to the word and accept the word of God. Forget what you think you know as true in the outside world and look to the biblical principles and lessons for a new perceptive.
Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Have confidence in the Lord with all thy heart, and lean not upon thy own prudence. Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
Proverbs 3:5 NLT
If you don’t understand a word or term that you come across in the Bible, then I suggest that you use the Bible Gateway site. It has a dictionary section that will help you better understand any words you are unsure of. It is a beneficial site.
So whatever Bible that you choose to read, or wherever you begin reading in the Bible, it is all about just beginning. Spending time in the word each day and connecting with God is your first step on this amazing journey.
Learning how to develop these skills will come with time, and I think the main purpose is to enjoy reading the word first and foremost. As you grow, you can start to Bible journal and even use a Bible Study Guide to help you understand and grow in faith more each day.
I hope that all of this information helps you to begin your journey into the word. I would love to know in the comments below if you found the post helpful.
I am so excited to see where this new journey takes me. It is another leap of faith, but it is a leap that I know that He wants me to take. And whilst I don’t always feel qualified to talk about God. I know that He will equip me with whatever I need to Glorify His holy name.
If you want to read more about your purpose as a new Christian woman, then check out this post Why You Don’t Need To Be Perfect To Become A Christian.
Gem XOXO
