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.
**We owe a big THANK YOU to Life.Church for providing this list of materials and many of the resources including the YouVersion Bible App.**
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.
Get the Bible App
Access more than 2,400 Bible versions in over 1,600 languages wherever you are.
Read a quick note on different versions.
Still want to know more about different versions? Read this.
2. Pick a time, place, and a 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.
The Bible: Explained
A seven-day Bible Plan by Life.Church that’s great for reading with friends.
Consider a Study Bible
If you prefer paper, or need a technology break, find a paper study Bible to fit your life.
How to Read the Bible
This 19-day Plan by BibleProject will introduce you to the Bible’s unified story.
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.
Download BibleProject’s App
Through videos, podcasts, and articles, you’ll experience the Bible as one unified story that leads to Jesus.
Try Blue Letter Bible
Do-it-yourself access to scholarly tools—like language searches and commentaries. Tap to preview an Interlinear search of Philemon 1:1.
Listen to The BEMA Podcast
Listen to content about the Bible with this walk-through podcast about the context of the Bible, the text, and surrounding history.
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 LifeGroup is a safe place to make friends who'll help you process your questions about the Bible.
Work Through the Weird Stuff
Surprised or confused by something in the Bible? You’re not alone! This article answers some questions while encouraging you to keep asking more.
Process Your Doubts With This Jesus Story
This podcast episode by Life.Church invites you to work through questions and doubts by placing yourself inside a well-known Jesus story.
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.
Guided Prayer in the Bible App
A simple, Scripture-based, daily prayer feature of the Bible App to help centre your heart and mind on God.
Connect the Bible With Prayer
This podcast starts a conversation about the many connections between the spiritual practices of reading the Bible and prayer.