How to Read Your Bible: A Simple Guide to Getting Started

Have you ever wondered, “How do I read the Bible and actually understand it?”

You are not alone. Maybe you’ve even started before and stopped because it felt confusing or hard to stay consistent. Maybe certain verses have felt encouraging while others didn’t make sense at all. Or maybe you’ve wondered if you’re even reading it the “right” way.

Reading the Bible can feel, at times, intimidating. But the Bible was never meant to push you away, it was meant to draw you in.

Instead of focusing on not to do, here’s a simple and encouraging way to begin reading the Bible with confidence and clarity.

1. The Bible Is One Big Story about God

The Bible isn’t just a collection of random verses, it’s one unified story about God.

From beginning to end, we see a consistent picture:

• Creation: God created the world with purpose and goodness.

• Fall: Humanity turned away from Him and chose to go their own way.

• Redemption: God works throughout history to bring people back to Himself.

• Restoration: One day, God will make all things right and new again.

When you read Scripture through this lens, it begins to make more sense. Every book of the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, is connected.

As you read, you begin to see that God is always at work, drawing people back into relationship with Him.

2. Read Through the Lens of Who God Is

We all bring different perspectives, or “lenses,” into how we read the Bible.

Some of us may have grown up believing that God is angry or distant. Others may see Him as loving and near. But as we read Scripture, we begin to see a clear and consistent truth:

God is a self-giving, all-loving, covenant-keeping God.

From the beginning, God made a promise to His people. Even when they failed, He remained faithful.

Ultimately, the entire Bible points to Jesus, who fulfilled that promise through His life, death, and resurrection.

The Bible isn’t about rules, it’s about a God who gives Himself fully to restore relationship with Him.

3. Pick a Translation That Works for You

Another important step is choosing a Bible translation that you will actually read and understand.

Different translations approach the original languages in different ways. Some focus on a thought-for-thought translation, while others aim for a more word-for-word translation.

For example:

Message → NLT → NIV → ESV → NASB

(Thought-for-thought → Word-for-word)

The most important thing is simple: Read the one you will come back to again and again.

4. Let Scripture Speak for Itself

You don’t need a complicated system to start reading the Bible. A simple approach can go a long way.

One helpful resource is the Discovery Bible Study approach. As you read, ask yourself a few simple questions:

• What does this passage say about God?

• What does this passage say about people?

• How will I respond to what I’ve read today?

This kind of reading moves you from simply understanding Scripture to actually living it out.

Start Here

If you’re not sure where to begin, a great place to start is the Gospel of John.

Invite someone to read with you. The Bible was never meant to be read alone. Community helps us grow, stay encouraged, and remain accountable as we follow Jesus.

And the good news? You don’t have to figure it all out at once. God meets your right where you are at.

2 Timothy 3:16–17 (NLT) says:
“All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.”

God’s Word shapes us, guides us, and equips us for the life we’re called to live.

PRAY

Lord God, thank You for giving us Your Word. Help us to approach it with curiosity and humility. Give us wisdom, knowledge, and understanding as we read. Open our eyes to see who You are and how You are working in our lives. Give us the courage not just to read Your Word, but to live it out each day. Amen.

Dive Deeper

This week, take one step in discovering God’s Word by reading the Bible with intentionality.

1. Practice Discovery Bible Study

This week, read a short passage or start with the Gospel of John and ask: What does this say about God? What does this say about people? How will I respond?

2. Read with Someone Else

Invite a friend, family member, or small group to read with you. Share what you’re learning and encourage each other as you take your next steps in following Jesus.

As we keep finding our way back together again, within community and with the Bible to show us the way, we find our way toward God, who has brought us together with Him and one another.