Reading the Bible can be daunting. Your Bible is made up of 66 separate books composed by dozens of authors over the span of thousands of years. There are different literary styles, historical influences and other aspects that can leave you feeling like you don’t even know where to start. If we’re being honest, all believers started their walk with Christ by wondering how they should go about trying to read the Bible.
Do you start at the beginning and just read straight through? Do you read the book in the order they were written chronologically or in the order that they are found in the Bible? Is the New Testament better than the Old Testament? Many people feel like they need to determine that before they try to determine what Scriptures are symbolic, which ones should be taken as fact and what historical context should be applied to which Scriptures. Trying to determine the best way to read a book as historically prevalent as the Bible can feel intimidating. That’s not God’s plan, though. He wants His people to read and understand His Word.
Before we get into the nuts and bolts of how to effectively read your Bible, it’s important to understand that neither the Old nor New Testament is superior to the other. The entire Bible is God’s inspired Word (1 Timothy 3:16) that He has preserved so His people can have a written copy of His will for their lives. So, how do you start reading the Bible?
Embrace its Eternal Value
Psalm 119:89 (ESV)
Forever, O Lord, your word is firmly fixed in the heavens.
Unbelievers and scoffers point to the Bible’s age as a means of disputing its authenticity. If you allow yourself to be sucked into a debate about the validity of Scripture, especially as a new believer, it can often leave you with more questions than answers. As Christians, we have put our faith in God. In turn, we have put our faith in His Word. In believing His Word, we also have to believer what His Word says about itself.
In this verse from Psalms, David points to the fact that God’s Word has been “firmly fixed” in the heavens. What does that mean for us? It means that God’s Word is as valid, authentic and powerful today as it was when it was originally written.
There is symbolism in God’s Word (more on that in a moment). However, it’s easy to fall into the trap of trying to interpret every verse that you read. While there is nothing wrong with deep study of God’s Word and asking the Holy Spirit for revelation about what the verses mean, it’s important to note what true Biblical interpretation is about. It’s not about trying to find something about a Scripture that no one else has ever discovered. Instead, it’s about asking God to reveal the basic truths of His Word to you so you can hide it in your heart to avoid sinning against Him (Psalm 119:11).
Consulting Other Sources
Proverbs 19:20 (TPT)
Listen well to wise counsel and be willing to learn from correction so that by the end of your life you’ll be known for your wisdom.
As is the case with many Scripture-based topics, there is sadly some debate about whether or not believers should rely on outside sources to help them gain a better understanding of the Bible. If you go to your local Christian bookstore or visit Amazon (or any other online marketplace), you can find hundreds, if not thousands of Bible dictionaries and commentaries.
These books are meant to be used as study aids, not as a replacement for Scripture. However, they are an integral part of any believer’s library. According to the book of Proverbs, believers should “listen well to wise counsel.” The men and women who have compiled the information in these Bible commentaries and dictionaries are among the most trusted names in the field of theology.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with consulting a good commentary or Bible dictionary to help you gain a better understanding of Scripture. When you read the Bible and supplement your personal study with the historical, cultural and language expertise of trusted theologians, it can open up even more truths of Scripture in a way that you can easily understand.
Contrary to what some well-meaning individuals may say, God is not against His people using outside sources to supplement their personal study and devotional times. Instead, His Word encourages us to seek and to heed Godly counsel.
Choosing a Good Translation
Psalm 119:18-19 (TPT)
Open my eyes to see the miracle-wonders hidden in your word. My life on earth is so brief, so tutor me in the ways of your wisdom.
Different Biblical translations are at the center of countless theological debates. Again, these debates are often held by well-meaning individuals who believe that one translation is superior to the other and they are vehement about sharing their beliefs with others. Many new believers begin their quest for a new Bible to use in their personal study with a question (or a Google search) that revolves around the idea of “which translation is best.”
Before we dive into how to choose the right translation, let’s clear up one misconception. None of the English translations that we have are spiritually superior to the others. The original text of Scripture is composed in three languages: Hebrew (which makes up most of the Old Testament), Aramaic (50% of Daniel and two passages in Ezra) and Greek (the entire New Testament). All of the Scriptures that we have access to today are translations.
Christ did not speak in 1600s-era English, nor did He speak in the same language that you will find in the NIV, NASB or other translations. If you want to read Scripture in its original state, you will need to learn how to read Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek. That’s certainly a noble task, but it’s not necessary to enjoy the powerful truths of Scripture.
So, which translation is the right translation? The answer to that question is simply: the one that you can read, understand and apply to your life. There are resources where you can find statistical data about which translations are more “historically accurate,” but God has preserved His Word through thousands of years, countless translations and more to ensure that His people can understand His will for their lives.
When you are looking for a good translation to read, find one that you can understand. The point of reading your Bible is to grow closer to God through the truths of Scripture in your never-ending quest to be more Christlike. God is not concerned about which translation you choose. Instead, He wants you to read His Word, understand His Word and apply His Word to every aspect of your life.
Finally, simply as a point of practical advice, we generally encourage new believers to begin their Bible reading in one of the Gospel accounts. Of the Gospels (the first four books of the New Testament), John and Mark are widely considered the easiest reads. John, penned by the disciple who was closest to Jesus paints a beautiful picture of Jesus’ role as the Messiah and focuses heavily on His time in public ministry. Mark is a short Gospel account and focuses heavily on Christ’s miracles, presenting them in an easy-to-read language. Both of these books provide a great launching pad for your quest to understand God’s Word more deeply.
A Closing Prayer:
God, thank You for preserving and providing a written copy of Your Word for me. Please, give me a hunger and a thirst for the truths contained in Scripture and reveal opportunities to me to spend daily time reading Your Word. Help me to understand Your Word so I can better apply it to my life. Help me to find the right translation for me, the right study aids for my personal study style and reveal the truth of Scripture to me. Much like David, I will look for ways to hide Your Word in my heart so that I may not sin against You. I ask all of these things in Christ’s name, Amen.