Most of us don’t struggle with wanting to read the Bible.
We struggle to know how.
We may open the document with good intentions, only to find ourselves overwhelmed, confused, or even unsure if we understood it correctly. We may read a passage and walk away thinking about what we just read or how it applies to our lives today.
For a long time, I didn’t think I needed more than a surface level understanding. I believed in God. I read the Bible here and there. I thought I was doing well enough.
However, the moment came when that assumption crumbled.
Life has a way of revealing things we didn’t know we needed. And in a season where I was exhausted and looking for something stable, I found myself reaching the limit of what I could handle.
And I asked God for help right then and there.
What surprised me was his answer.
It wasn’t complicated. It wasn’t a sudden change in circumstances. It was simple and straightforward. It means, “Stand up against my words.”
To be honest, that wasn’t my instinct at the time. I didn’t always have my Bible open. I still didn’t have a deep desire to study it.
But I knew enough to recognize His guidance.
So I answered.
It’s not out of order. Not from deep understanding. But out of surrendered obedience, I went to the Bible. Because God told me to go there.
Then something started to change.
God met me there.
As I continued to show up, he began to answer exactly what I was looking for. Words that had seemed far away gradually began to become more conscious of me. Sentences that once seemed confusing began to make sense.
But more than that, my approach began to change.
I no longer read it because I knew I had to. I read books to hear what God was saying. What once felt foreign now feels personal. What once felt like effort now feels like hunger. And that changed everything. It started to feel like something I didn’t want to miss.
start with the right goal
Before we talk about methods, we need to talk about mindset.
We tend to approach Bible study as something to be accomplished. Tasks to check. The final chapter. Plan for completion.
But the purpose of studying the Bible is not information, but change.
Yes, we deepen our knowledge. Yes, we are starting to understand the context and meaning. But the ultimate purpose of God’s Word is to draw us closer to God.
Jesus said, “You search the Bible because you think it will give you eternal life, but it points to me!” (John 5:39, New Translation of the Bible). That means every page, whether it’s a story, a law, a psalm, or a prophecy, points us back to God.
If you miss it, you may gain knowledge, but you will lose relationships.
So before you begin, stop and pray. Ask God to help you see Him clearly. Ask God to soften your heart. Let God teach you. Because effective Bible study always begins with dependence on the author.
read slowly and with purpose
One of the most effective changes you can make is to slow down.
We live in a world that values speed, but the Bible invites us to stillness. Psalm 46:10 says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be honored among all nations; I will be honored throughout the world” (NLT). Rushing through the Bible will not bring you closer to God. We must slow down and trust that God holds time in His hands.
Don’t rush through the chapters, take your time. Please read the small section and understand it. Notice what stands out. Pay attention to repeated words and phrases.
Ask questions along the way:
What is happening in this passage?
Who is speaking?
What does this reveal about God?
You don’t have to understand everything at once. In reality, this is not the case. But slowing down gives you space to see what’s actually there.
Sometimes the most powerful moments come from that one poem you almost skipped over.
Let the Bible Interpret the Bible
One of the most important truths to understand is:
The Bible explains itself.
When you feel that something is confusing, don’t immediately turn to outside explanations. Instead, keep reading. Look at the scriptures around you. Consider the broader chapter. Then zoom out further. How does this theme appear elsewhere in the Bible?
God’s word is deeply connected. What we read in the Old Testament is often clarified in the New Testament. What seems unclear in one place is often explained in another.
It takes time, but it’s worth it. As you become more familiar with the Bible, you will naturally begin to notice these connections. And when you do, it’s hard to explain how powerful it is.
I still remember the first time I began to truly understand the words of the Bible: “For the word of God is living and powerful; it is sharper than the sharpest double-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joints and marrow; it reveals our deepest thoughts and desires” (Hebrews 4:12, NIV).
And to be honest, I still experience it. It’s like everything suddenly comes to life in real time. Sometimes they get so excited that they open their eyes and pump their fists.
They are moments that remind us that this is more than just a book. This is the living word of God.
Focus on hearing God’s voice instead of imposing meaning on it
It may be tempting to approach the Bible for the “right” lesson. We read a passage and immediately try to identify the main idea or draw out multiple lessons to apply.
But I’ve learned to approach it differently.
Focus on listening instead of deciding what to get out of the text.
I access God’s Word with a simple attitude. “Lord, what are you showing me?”
Just as I first obediently began to open my Bible, I learned that understanding comes not from effort, but from listening.
Sometimes a single phrase stands out. Sometimes it’s a recurring theme. And sometimes something completely unexpected happens.
I’ve learned not to rush the process.
God knows what I need to hear and is faithful to reveal it in His timing. My role is not to force meaning, but to remain open-minded and attentive.
There are days when only one small truth stays with me. That’s enough.
Because when God is leading, what He reveals is always deeper than what I could try to bring out on my own.
Find out what is revealed about God
It’s easy to read the Bible and immediately ask, “What does this say about me?”
However, it is better to start by asking questions such as:
What does this reveal about God?
We know that God is love (1 John 4:8). But God’s love is not separate from who God is. It is revealed through all the attributes of God. God is patient, just, faithful, compassionate, and holy.
As we begin to see God more fully, we gain a clearer and more precise understanding of both His character and the kind of love we are called to have and share.
If you start here, everything else will start to fall into place.
The Bible is first and foremost a revelation of who God is. And when we begin to see the Lord more clearly, something changes within us.
Our trust increases and our perspective changes. Our faith deepens. Not because we tried harder, but because we saw Him more clearly.
Apply what you read
Bible study doesn’t end when you close the page.
In fact, that’s where it really begins.
James reminds us to be doers of the Word, not just hearers (James 1:22). In other words, we don’t just read the Bible, we respond to it.
After reading, please take a moment to ask the following questions:
What is God calling me to do about this?
Maybe your way of thinking will change. A truth to remember. A sin that should be ignored. A step of obedience to follow.
Not all texts have dramatic applications. Sometimes it’s as simple as choosing to trust God more today than you did yesterday.
But over time, these small loyal responses lead to real growth.
Be consistent, not perfect
Let’s be honest: Being consistent can be difficult.
There will be days when you get distracted. There are days when I can’t understand anything I read. Days when I don’t feel anything.
That doesn’t mean it doesn’t work.
Growth in faith is not built on emotion or perfection, but on persistence.
Keep showing up.
Even if it feels quiet. Even when it feels slow. Even when it feels like nothing is happening.
Because something is happening.
God is using His Word to form you, renew your mind, and draw you closer to Him. Often in ways that are not immediately obvious.
You don’t get anything out of appearing.
You are simply creating space for God to work.
don’t be afraid to ask for help
Spending personal time with the Bible is important, but that doesn’t mean you have to do it alone.
God designed us to grow in community.
If you’re having trouble understanding something, it’s okay to ask for advice. Talk to a trusted friend. Participate in a Bible study. Read trusted commentary.
The key is to rely on outside resources to support comprehension, rather than substituting word reading time.
Your relationship with God is personal. And he wants to meet you there.
Remember why it’s important
After all, studying the Bible is not about doing it “right.”
It’s about knowing God.
It’s about learning to recognize God’s voice. To understand his character. With each page I read, I see God’s heart more clearly.
And as you do, your faith will grow. Not because you forced it, but because you are rooted in truth.
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105).
God’s Word does not always show us the entire path ahead. But it gives enough light for the next step.
Not the clarity of the entire journey, just the confidence that God is guiding each step.
Photo credit: Unsplash/KellySikkema
Vanessa Lu is a wife, mother, and faith-based writer. She speaks and writes to encourage believers to truly live with God.
