4 Simple Bible Reading Tips For Beginners
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Are you confused and wondering where you should start reading in the Bible?
- You feel overwhelmed when trying to decide where to read
- You get bogged down in the first five books and give up
Reading your Bible isn’t as hard as you’d think.
All you really need are some Bible reading tips to help you get started and soon you’ll realize that the Bible isn’t as overwhelming as it seems.
![person sitting outside in fall reading with cup of coffee](https://rosilindjukic.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/4-Simple-Bible-Reading-Tips-For-Beginners_2-624x1024.png)
The natural tendency is to start reading your Bible at Genesis and work through until you get to Revelation.
After all, we’re taught to read books starting from the first page to the last page. Right?
But the Bible isn’t like other books. It’s more like a library of books. In fact, the Bible isn’t even necessarily in chronological order.
While the timeline for many of the books overlap, it is not necessary to read the books of the Bible in the order that they are laid out in the Bible.
As a matter of fact, it can get discouraging for new Christians to do this, especially when you hit mid-Exodus, because its hard to understand the feasts and ceremonial laws without a good foundation for understanding their purpose.
4 Bible Reading Tips for Beginners
Reading the Bible is vitally important for Christians, because it’s God’s primary way of communicating with us about who He is, what He expects, and how much He loves us.
Truly, the Bible is the foundation for our entire faith.
Everything we believe, our worldview, our convictions, our lifestyle, and our decisions should be centered around and based upon the Bible.
1. Start Small
Don’t set out to read a whole book or even a whole chapter in one sitting. Instead, read until 3 things stand out to you; even if that means you only read one verse.
Once three things have stood out to you, write them down.
You can write them down in your journal or on a slip of paper that you carry around in your pocket to remind yourself of what you read.
Meditate on these three things all day long.
Reading the Bible isn’t a race from Genesis to Revelation.
While many mature Christians make it a goal to read through the entire Bible in a year, it is important for new Christians to start with small steps and allow the Bible to change their lives from the inside out.
2. Start in the Gospels
As a new Christian, you need to get to know Jesus.
- Who was He?
- How did He live?
- What was His mission on earth?
- What does He want from you, as His follower?
These questions and more are answered in the first 4 books of the New Testament: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.
There is no better way to get to know Jesus than by reading the Gospels. And there are four of them because four men wrote about Jesus’ life from four different perspectives.
3. Get some tools
You want to do more than just sit and read the Bible as you would your favorite novel.
We don’t read the Bible for information, we read it for transformation! If we want the Bible to transform our lives, we must study it. We must think about it throughout the day. We must meditate on it.
We must let it change who we are, what we do, and how we think about the world around us.
When reading the Bible, it helps to have the following:
A pen
A notebook or journal
Highliters
Note cards to write down your favorite verses and thoughts
4. Ask questions
You will likely have a lot of questions about God’s Word at first.
Don’t be afraid to ask them! There is no stupid question when it comes to reading the Bible.
Ask your pastor’s wife or small group leader
Join me here on my social media and feel free to ask questions.
Feel free email me with any questions you may have.
Bible reading doesn’t have to be intimidating or overwhelming, if you know how and where to start.
Get these Quiet Time Journal printables immediately when you type your email in the form below:
There are two sets – each set has different verses and questions in them, so feel free to grab both if you’d like!
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NKJV, New Spirit-Filled Life Bible, Hardcover: Kingdom Equipping Through the Power of the WordESV Study Bible
Accu-Gel Bible Highlighter Study Kit (Pack of 6)
Sakura 30062 6-Piece Pigma Micron Ink Pen Set, Black
Five Star Spiral Notebooks, 1 Subject, 100 College Ruled Sheets, Assorted Basic Colors, 6-Pack (38052)
Post-it Notes, 1 3/8 in x 1 7/8 in, Cape Town Collection, 18 Pads/Pack, 100 Sheets/Pad (653-18AU)
As a growing student of God’s word, this is a beautiful article for the new Christians. I have been reminded by your words what to seek for in Bible Studying.
” We don’t read the Bible for information, we read it for TRANSFORMATION !
If we want the Bible to transform our lives, we must study it. We must think about it throughout the day. We must meditate on it.
We must let it change who we are, what we do, and how we think about the world around us.”
Thank you Rosilind. ?
Yes – study of the Word is so vital! I am so blessed that this article spoke to you!! I pray you will continue to grow in Christ as you dig deep in the Word.
Hi! I loved your article. I was wondering if I could have your permission to print this and use it in a new Christian package after they get baptized?
Hi Laura – I would be honored to have you use this. Thank you for asking!