Page Title: Your Guide to understanding the Bible

The five steps in this guide will help you learn how to read and understand the Bible more so you can grow closer to God.

1. Find a translation you understand.

The Bible was written in three ancient languages. Each translation to your language represents years of work to help you process the Bible in a way that makes sense.

Link to a blog post about different Bible versions

2. Pick a time, place, and plan.

Are you a morning person or night owl? Do you like quiet places or bustling coffee shops? Do you learn by watching, listening, or reading? Do you sometimes read paper and other times digital?

Once you decide on a routine that works for you, start one of these Bible Plans or consider finding a paper Study Bible.

2. Pick a time, place, and plan.

Are you a morning person or night owl? Do you like quiet places or bustling coffee shops? Do you learn by watching, listening, or reading? Do you sometimes read paper and other times digital?

Once you decide on a routine that works for you, start one of these Bible Plans or consider finding a paper Study Bible.

3. Uncover the context.

Think like a detective and discover the story behind the story.

The Bible is a collection of 66 different books, written in three languages, across three continents, over a 1,500-year period by 40 different authors. Use tools like these to learn who the text was written to, when, where, and why.

Link to Blue Letter Bible resource website

Link to the BEMA Podcast for a walk-through of the Bible in podcast form

Link to an article that answers some of the confusing questions about the Bible

Link to a podcast episode by Life.Church to help process doubts and questions

4. Read slowly and ask questions.

There’s no need to rush. Take your time and get curious.

After studying the context, what questions do you still have? Use your questions as tools to help you dig deeper through prayer, study, and conversations with friends.

A Connect Group is a safe place to make friends who'll help you process your questions about the Bible.

Ask Questions in a Connect Group

4. Read slowly and ask questions.

There’s no need to rush. Take your time and get curious.

After studying the context, what questions do you still have? Use your questions as tools to help you dig deeper through prayer, study, and conversations with friends.

A Connect Group is a safe place to make friends who'll help you process your questions about the Bible.

Ask Questions in a Connect Group

5. Pray and apply what you learn.

The Bible is meant to transform us, not just inform us. The more we apply what we learn from God’s Word, the more we become like Jesus.

Ask God what He wants you to learn about Him and yourself.

Link to a podcast by Life.Church that helps makes connections between the spiritual practices of reading the Bible and prayer

← Return to Bible Reading page