Most people don’t avoid reading the Bible because they’re not interested.
They avoid it because they don’t know how.
Maybe you’ve opened your Bible and felt confused within minutes. Some of you may have tried reading the plan but just couldn’t keep up with it. Perhaps you’ve heard people talk about “studying the Bible” and wondered what that means.
If that’s you, you’re not alone.
I’ve been there too.
For a long time, I believed the Bible was important, but I didn’t know how to actually engage with it in a meaningful way. They try to read, get overwhelmed (or bored), lose focus, and eventually give up.
What I didn’t realize then was that the Bible is not meant to be read quickly or mastered all at once. It is something that I have come to understand over time as my relationship with the Lord has deepened.
And that starts with learning how to approach it.
If you’re new to Bible study, here are some simple, practical steps to help you get started.
start with the right goal
Before you open your Bible, it’s worth asking yourself a simple question. “Why are you reading this?”
Many of us approach the Bible to accomplish something, whether it’s to follow through on a plan, find an answer quickly, or check a box.
However, the Bible was not given to us to complete.
It is given to us so that we may know God.
Instead of asking, “How much did I read today?” start asking, “What did I learn about God?”
This change changes everything. Studying the Bible is about relationships, not grades.
Jesus said:
“And this is the way to obtain eternal life: to know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You sent to the earth” (John 17:3, NIV).
The goal is to know God.
Start small and stay consistent
One of the biggest mistakes beginners make is trying to read too much at once.
You don’t need to read five chapters every day to grow. In fact, you will gain more by understanding verse 5 than by rushing through chapter 5.
Start small. Be consistent.
Growth doesn’t come from speed. It comes from returning to God’s Word over and over again, one sip at a time.
Choose where to start
If you don’t know where to start, that’s completely normal.
The Bible is one story, but it is made up of many books written in different eras and styles. Amazingly, these stories are connected through the centuries. It’s truly incredible.
If you need a starting point, here are some good places to start:
● The Gospel of John to understand who Jesus is
● Genesis sees the beginning of God’s story
● Psalms for connecting emotionally with God
● Proverbs for practical wisdom
There’s no perfect place to start. Let’s get started.
I think each of these books is life-giving in its own way. You really can’t go wrong.
Read to understand, not to finish
This is where Bible study really begins.
Please take your time when reading. Please be careful. Ask a simple question:
What is going on here? Who is speaking? What does this reveal about God?
No theology degree required. It takes a willingness to stop and think.
It’s okay if something doesn’t make sense. You don’t have to understand everything at once.
Understanding comes over time.
Many times I found one sentence clear while reading another. There’s nothing like the moment when things start to connect.
Let the Bible Interpret the Bible
One of the most helpful truths to understand is that the Bible itself explains it.
If you feel any confusion, please continue reading. Look at the scriptures around you. Notice the recurring themes. Compare what you are reading to other parts of the Bible.
Instead of immediately turning to outside opinions, try to understand the text first. At first, it may feel like you don’t have time to read the text, but trust me, you will.
Over time, as you become more familiar with God’s Word, you will begin to see how deeply connected everything is.
I can honestly say that. From there, the Bible became alive for me.
I love the moment when you open your eyes and take your breath away for just a moment. It’s so much fun to intentionally spend time in God’s Word.
Ask God for Understanding
Please pray a little before reading.
“God, help me to understand your word.”
It doesn’t have to be long or formal. Please be honest.
For a long time I struggled to understand the Bible. I didn’t feel like anything stuck while reading it. But when I finally asked God for help in understanding, and when I really asked for it, things started to change.
Not all at once, but gradually.
Connections began to form. The words of the Bible began to have meaning. What once felt far away began to feel alive.
James writes:
“If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you, and he will not rebuke you for asking” (James 1:5, NIV).
God wants you to understand His Word. And if you seek God with all your heart, He will help you.
don’t be discouraged
There may be parts of the Bible that are confusing, unfamiliar, or frustrating.
That’s normal.
You are not expected to understand everything right away.
Think of studying the Bible as learning a language. It feels slow and difficult at first. But over time, with consistent exposure, things will start to fall into place.
Don’t give in to confusion. Please make me want to keep going.
God does not hide truth from those who earnestly seek Him. He teaches it to those who will see it.
Focus on depth, not volume
You don’t have to cover most of the Bible to grow.
Instead, focus on gaining a deeper understanding of what you read.
If a verse stands out to you, listen to it. Please pray about it. Let’s take another look.
listen:
Why is this important? What does this show us about God? What challenges does this pose to my way of life?
Change begins here.
Because Paul writes:
“May God transform you into a new person, not by imitating the actions and habits of this world, but by changing the way you think, so that you may know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect” (Romans 12:2, NIV).
Truth change happens when truth changes the way we think.
apply what you learned
Studying the Bible is not just about gaining knowledge, it’s about allowing God’s truth to shape your life.
Keep an open mind while reading.
Sometimes a passage can prompt you to change something. Sometimes it will remind you to trust. Other times it simply reveals something about who God is.
And yes, sometimes you read something like a family tree and don’t know what to do with it.
That’s okay too.
God’s word is not just for understanding, it is for living.
please come back
There will be days when you don’t feel like reading a book. Days of distraction. Days that you can’t understand just by reading.
That doesn’t mean you’re a failure. It means you are human.
The key is simplicity. It’s about keeping coming back.
Growth doesn’t happen in one perfect study session. It happens over time with consistency, honesty, and a willingness to keep showing up.
final encouragement
If you’re just starting out, don’t overcomplicate this. It doesn’t require a perfect plan, a perfect schedule, or a perfect understanding.
You need to start.
Please open your Bible. Please read a little. Ask God for help. Stay curious and open.
Over time, things that once felt confusing begin to make sense.
More importantly, it’s not just about learning about the Bible.
You will begin to know the God who wrote it. And knowing God is a gift we were created to hunger and thirst for.
Photo credit: Unsplash/Kelly Sikkema
