How to start reading the Bible
Like anything new in life that seems a bit daunting, the best way to start reading the Bible is to begin. Open the book and get stuck in.
Here’s four steps to help you get started.
1. Meet Jesus
I’d recommend starting in one of the accounts of the life Jesus as this is the central story that the rest of the Bible revolves around. This might seem odd if you’re used to reading stories from beginning to end and letting the climax reveal itself as you go along. You can read the Bible like this, but you’ll find the Old Testament much more accessible if you already understand the point it is working towards. The Bible isn’t laid out in the same way most modern books are. Think of it as a tapestry, it is made up of lots of different genres and styles of books that are all woven together by a larger narrative thread. Jesus is the the centre of this thread so thats why it’s best to start with Him and work out from there.
Jesus’ life on earth is written about in four books called the Gospels. These are Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. They tell the same story but all have their own style. Mark’s the shortest (and scholars believe it to be the earliest written) and will give you the most concise account of events. John gives the most explicit theological detail about Jesus’ identity as fully God and fully man. Pick one of those two books and start reading there. Some good Bible translations in easy to understand language are ESV, NKJV, NIV, NLT or Good News.
2. Familiarise yourself with the narrative thread
After reading the Gospels, it’s up to you where you go next. But it’s best to have an idea of the overall narrative so you can see which book fits in to the wider story. Here is a great video by The Bible Project that summarises the story of the Bible, they have loads of similar resources that can help you with this step: https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/the-story-of-the-bible/
3. Don’t go alone
Jesus set up his Church so people who follow him are not left out on their own but journey together in following him in community. Part of this is studying scripture together. Try to find a group in a Church that studies the Bible together, or if you can’t find one, start your own. Regularly meet another Christian friend or two, pick a book, and read and discuss it together. You could do this at a coffee shop, in someone’s kitchen or even at the beach.
When you become a Christian you are also now part of a global family of believers, so use them! There are members of the family who have spent hours and hours studying the Bible and write books and have made resources available to help you out with it. I have a podcast episode where I go through some of my favourite resources that I use to help me in my own study. It’s called 4 Bible Resources I Love, use this link to listen on your preferred platform: https://linktr.ee/biblewithmegan
4. Use your greatest Helper
In John 14, Jesus says: “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you…These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” (John 14: 16-17, 23-26 ESV)
If you have repented and are following Jesus as Lord, the Holy Spirit now lives in you! Be sure to pray whilst studying the Bible and ask Him for guidance and to help you understand. Always read prayerfully with the Holy Spirit.
Enjoy your Bible journey! The Bible is such a beautiful gift given to us by God. On Bible With Megan, I make resources to aid you in your study. Have an explore of this website and follow me on instagram or join the Facebook group to stay up to date with new resources.
God bless,
Megan