5 Simple Ways to Read the Bible that will Bless You
I was supposed to read the Bible from cover to cover in college while taking the required Old Testament 1 & 2 and New Testament … I have to be honest with you and say it was a daunting task I never quite accomplished.
I’ve spent most of my adult life attending church and participating in Bible Study. Of course I have … I’m a preacher’s wife.
And I have to admit that during those busiest years most of my personal time spent in the Bible happened on the nights when stress and anxiety kept me awake in the middle of the night. During the day … it felt impossible to find time for personal anything.
But a little over a dozen years ago, a series of hard years culminated with a devastating loss and as I cried out to God … He drew me to His Word.
So I grabbed hold and read every verse from Genesis to Revelation in just three months. God used His Word to soothe my soul and heal my heart.
And I fell in love with the Bible.
So, I thought I’d share some of the ways I’ve read the Bible that
5 Simple Ways to Read the Bible that will Bless You
1. Choose an understandable translation.
One that you will actually read!
Over the past 15 years, I’ve read the New International Version, the Amplified Bible, God’s Word Translation, the Holman Christian Standard Bible, The Message, the Chronological Bible, and the New Living Translation.
I believe the two Bibles that have blessed me most are the Chronological Bible and The Life Application Bible – New Living Translation.
I really liked the Chronological Bible as it helped me understand the Old Testament better by putting the words of the prophets into the appropriate times in history.
But I love the LAB – NLT! Last year, I read the text and all the notes. The translation is easier to understand (it’s the one I use most often in posts) and the notes help me think about the ways God wants me to apply all what I’m learning to my life.
2. Pray for the Spirit’s help to understand.
Proverbs 2 says…
Cry out for insight, and ask for understanding. Search for them as you would for silver; seek them like hidden treasures. Then you will understand what it means to fear the Lord, and you will gain knowledge of God.
Proverbs 2:3–6
For the Lord grants wisdom!
From His mouth come knowledge and understanding.
And Jesus’ brother, James wrote…
If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.
James 1:5
I truly believe that when you and I sincerely ask God to give us the wisdom to understand the truths found in His Word … that is a prayer He is happy to answer positively!
3. Start where you’ll read.
If you’ve never read the Bible before, I don’t recommend you begin in Genesis and read through the Old Testament. I know too many of us have gotten discouraged in Numbers, Leviticus, 1 and 2 Chronicles, and Lamentations.
My favorite book is the Book of John.
The Life Application Notes include the following words in the introduction to John…
Eternal, infinite, unlimited—He was, is and always will be the Maker and Lord of all that exists.
He is the Word; HE is Jesus, the Messiah.
John loved Jesus and describes himself as the “disciple Jesus loved.” His words are about
After John, I recommend reading Romans, 1,2,3 John, and Proverbs. Then go to Genesis and read. Or if you prefer … there is a very easy to follow Bible Reading Plan at the Back of the LAB – NLT just before the indexes.
4. Look for Jesus in both the Old and New Testatments.
Billy Graham wrote…
The message of Jesus Christ, our Savior, is the story of the Bible … it is the story of salvation, it tis the story of the Gospel, it is the story of life, peace, eternity, and heaven.
Although, I believe there is value in beginning with the books of John and Romans if you have never read the Bible before. I also believe we need to read it all from creation through Revelation’s promise.
There is a powerful quote from Roy Gustafson in this month’s Decision Magazine…
The New Testament is contained in the Old Testament.
The Old Testament is explained in the New Testament.
The New Testament is concealed in the Old Testament.
The Old Testament is revealed in the New Testament.
The Old Testament anticipates the New Testament.
The New Testament authenticates the Old Testament.
In the Old
Testament the New Testament lies hidden.In the New
Testament the Old Testament lies open.The Old Testament predicts a Person.
The New Testament presents that Person.
God promised Jesus in the Garden immediately after sin entered the world.
“I will cause hostility between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring. He will strike your head, and you will strike His heel.”
Genesis 3:15
And throughout the pages of the Old Testament prophets, priest, and kings repeated the promise that God would send a Messiah to save us.
5. Ask questions and take notes.
I keep a highlighter, pen, and notebook with my Bible. I write verses and notes that speak to my heart and I write prayers inspired by the words I’ve read.
You can also ask the following questions:
- What does this teach me about God?
- What does it teach me about life?
- What does it teach me about other people?
- Is there a command to obey or an example to follow?
- Is this a promise I can claim?
- How can I apply this to my life?
Friend, I believe…
For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword,it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
Hebrews 4:12
If you were sitting across the table from me right now, I would tell you with tears in eyes how I have fallen in love with the Triune God of the universe through the pages of Scripture. I can’t wait for Him to speak to me each day through His Story.
His promises have transformed my life.
Oh, how He loves you. Read His love letter to you and find out just how much!
Always enjoy your blogs so encouraging and make reading the Bible so easy and interesting.
Thank you so much, Jenny! I so appreciate your kind encouragement! God bless you!
Deb, this is stellar advice for getting started on (or continuing to) reading the Bible from beginning to the end. I am now in my fourth year of reading the entire Bible, and yes, I do get bogged down in some of the books you mentioned here, but overall, there is no experience more rewarding than getting to really know God through His mighty Word.
Blessings, my friend!
Thank you, Martha! The more I read His Word, the more I love it and love Him! I can’t imagine starting my day any other way! Blessings and hugs, my friend!
Happy Monday, Deb! You are a consistent blessing and encouragement in my life and so many others. Thank you for your thoughts to live daily in His word.
With Jesus JOY,
Carol
Oh, thank you, Carol! Your comment is a huge Monday blessing for me! I’m asking God to bless you with a beautiful day!
Thank u for the blessings sent to me through ur channel. God bless all the work u do for this world and me. I do read my Bible …but sometimes it is slightly hard to understand as I don’t know whether these verses will calm me down. But ur prayers and verses has done that. Pls continue to keep me and my family in ur prayers. Thank u once again.
Sheela, I learn something new every time I pick up my Bible. I’ve had times when a verse I struggled with becomes clearer. I continue to pray and ask God to give me wisdom and understanding through His Spirit. I am so thankful this blessed you. Thank you for taking the time to let me know. God bless you!
Such excellent suggestions put together in this post.
Thanks for writing.
I will be sharing in a few places today!
Thanks so much, Lynn! I really appreciate your kind encouragement. God bless you!
This is wonderful, Deb. Thank you for some great suggestions. Pinning for future reference.
Thanks, Wendy! I’m so blessed by your kind encouragement!
I do need to do this. I have read so many passages in the Bible but never the Book in its entirety. I even started again within the last few months and gave up. I never considered using a different version. Thank you for these tips!
Hi Brittany, I think you’ll fall in love with reading it all when you find a translation you love. You can go to BibleGateway.com and see how the different verses are translated in each of the verses. That might help you decide on the one you’d like to read. Thanks for stopping by. God bless!
Number 4 is a great point! Very few believers take the time to find Christ in the OT!
You’re right, Summer. Yet, everything … from Genesis through Revelation points to Him. Thanks and God bless!
Thank you for your words. I am reading the Bible right now for the first time and am at 12%. My plan lets me know what percent I am at and I get excited when I move up a %. Kind of silly! I am going to add some of your questions in when I am reading. I especially liked the one about thinking what it teaches me about others. That is not something I think about to often when I am reading. Thank you!
Camden
Yay, for reading through the Bible this year, Camden! I think anything that inspires us to keep going, even percentages, are great and not silly at all. I’m so glad the questions helped. Thanks for much for stopping by and for taking the time to join the conversation. God bless you!
Exactly the topic I have been looking for! Thank you so much for this. Saving this in my ‘Faith to Keep’ folder to look back and read on whenever I feel I need help with scripture.
Shari, I’m so very glad this blessed you! Thanks so much for stopping to let me know! God bless you!
I read a post on Facebook from a fellow blogger friend who said she was shamed at a Bible study for asking questions of Scripture. I love that you included this in your list because I can’t remember a time where I didn’t ask questions! So important to reflect and investigate context and meaning as we navigate God’s Word. Love you friend. Great post 🙂
Thanks, Nicki! I so appreciate you! Hope you’re having a beautiful day!
From start to finish in 3 months?!?! Seriously impressive! There’s no telling what we can achieve when we are desperate enough! Great post, as usual Deb. I especially like the part about asking the Holy Spirit to give us understanding. He loves to answer this prayer!
Oh, Rachel, I was in a place of grief and by God’s grace, He pulled me into His Word. I spent hours every day reading my Bible and God used it to begin my healing and start a blessed transformation. It was the worst time of my life and God used it for good! He does love to answer that prayer! Amen!
Great points, Deb. I like them all, but especially to ask questions and take notes. AND ask the Holy Spirit for understanding. I tell the ladies this often I do Bible Study with. That’s one of the functions of the Spirit to impart wisdom and insight.
Thanks for these reminders.
Amen, Karen! I am always humbled and amazed how the Lord uses His Word to teach me something new every day … even through words that I’ve read countless times before. Thanks so much for visiting and joining the conversation! God bless you!
Deb,thanks very much for this,reading this has taught me a lot. Mostly when I take my bible to read I lose interest because I didn’t use to understand the word or didn’t like the place I’m reading but thanks for teaching me about asking the holy spirit for understanding
I am a Christian a long time,but I have that problem to begin end finish a reading plan for halve or one.year
I found your testimony interesting.
It again wake me up.
God bless you.
I’m so glad it inspired you. His Word is a beautiful love letter to the world and His promises are our hope for the future. May You be blessed as you SEEK Him through His Word and prayer.