This is part 1 of a 5-part series. View the entire series here.
This may seem obvious, but the best method for reading the Bible is…reading it! Easier said than done, of course. The Bible is massive, filled with numerous literary styles, characters, timelines, prophecies, and all kinds of other confusing things. If you’re brand new to the Bible and want a crash course in what it is, why we read it, and where to start, check out A Beginner’s Guide to Reading the Bible.
So the read method really is that simple. Get into God’s Word every single day. If it’s helpful, find a reading plan to guide you through the Bible. Read a single passage, one chapter, or a whole book of the Bible (some books are much shorter than others!).
The goal of reading every day is not to check off a box; the goal is to connect with and learn more about God through His Word. You may not perfectly understand everything you read. There may be some passages, or even entire chapters, that are boring or hard to understand. That’s okay. Don’t be discouraged and don’t give up. Even if you don’t feel particularly changed, even if you don’t walk away from your daily reading very inspired or uplifted, if you’re walking in obedience to God’s commandments and God’s will, you can have complete trust that His Word—which is “alive and powerful…sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword” (Hebrews 4:12 NLT)—is affecting change in your life.
Always start your reading with prayer. Ask God to quiet your mind and heart so you can fully focus your attention on Him. Be open to whatever God wants to share with you or teach you, how He wants to convict you or comfort you through what you read. Let Him, not your feelings, lead this time.
There’s a common saying among Christians, that if you get into God’s Word, God’s Word will get into you. And it’s true! The more you read and reread and reread, the deeper God’s truth will be rooted in your heart.
Psalm 119:11 says, “I have hidden Your Word in my heart, that I might not sin against You” (NLT). When you have the Word hidden in your heart, you’ll find yourself calling to mind specific verses in moments of anxiety or gratitude, you’ll feel the Holy Spirit’s conviction when you’re about to make a choice that doesn’t align with Scripture, and you’ll have the confidence to stand firm in your beliefs in a world that may not always understand them—all because you’ve invested consistent time in reading and familiarizing yourself with the Bible.
