First Things First Sample

How to Read the Bible 

The Bible is a big book and can seem overwhelming. Often times, we don’t know where to start reading the Bible. But the Bible isn’t a book that is meant to overwhelm and confuse us. It is a tool that we get to use to learn more about God. 

To gain the most insight from the Bible, be smart about how you read it. Here is some strategy to help you get started: 

1. Pick a version of the Bible that is easy for you to understand. There are many different versions of the Bible (such as King James version, New King James version, New International version, The Message version, and many more). In these versions, the text is translated in various ways so that the reader can understand what is written in different ways. Find a version that you understand and will read. 


2. Know that you don’t have to start at page one of the Bible. Because there are different types of literary work in the Bible (poetry, narrative, story-telling, etc), it is possible to pick up the Bible and read from any part.


3. Pick a book of the Bible or a Bible reading plan (like this one!) and work your way through it. The key is to stick to reading it. 


4. Read a little each day. Choose a time and a place that is convenient for you, and focus on reading something from the Bible every day. 


5. Pray before you read. Ask God to speak to you through the scripture that you are reading. 


6. Write down what you read and how it can apply to your life. Ask yourself what you learned from the scripture that you read. Try using the S.O.A.P. (scripture, observation, application, and prayer) method to collect your thoughts.