How to Start Reading the Bible

Read

Study objective: Understand the Bible as a collection of books written over many centuries, and what it says about its own purpose.

Reading: Luke 1:1–4 · 2 Timothy 3:14–17

Background and context

The Bible is a library rather than a single book: 66 books in most Protestant Bibles, and more in Catholic and Orthodox Bibles, which include the Deuterocanonical books. It was written over many centuries, mostly in Hebrew and Greek, with some Aramaic, and it is divided into the Old Testament (before Jesus) and the New Testament (about Jesus and the first churches). It contains stories, laws, poems, proverbs, prophecies, letters and more.

Observe

• Luke says he carefully investigated everything and wrote an orderly account (Luke 1:3).
• Luke names the person he is writing for and the reason: so that he may know the certainty of what he was taught (Luke 1:4).
• Paul reminds Timothy that he has known the Scriptures since childhood (2 Timothy 3:15).
• Paul says Scripture is useful for teaching, correction and training in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

Words, people and events to notice

Testament

An old word for covenant. The Old Testament is the Scripture of Israel; the New Testament tells of Jesus and the early church and speaks of a new covenant. Jeremiah 31:31 · Luke 22:20

Canon

The list of books a church accepts as Scripture. Traditions agree on most books and differ on the Deuterocanonical books.

Understand

1. According to 2 Timothy 3:15, what are the Scriptures able to do?
2. Why does Luke write his Gospel (Luke 1:4)?
3. What does it change to think of the Bible as a library of different kinds of writing?

Connect

• John 20:30–31

  John states why he wrote his Gospel: that you may believe and have life.

• Psalm 119:105

  A psalm describing God’s word as a lamp and a light.

Reflect

1. What are you hoping to find as you read?
2. What has made Bible reading hard for you in the past?

Key takeaways

Editorial summary, not Scripture.

• The Bible is a collection of many kinds of writing from many centuries.
• Its writers say why they wrote: to teach, to give certainty, and to lead people to faith and life.

Read

Study objective: Choose a good starting point and understand why a Gospel is a common first choice.

Reading: Mark 1:1–15

Background and context

You do not have to read the Bible from the first page to the last. Many people begin with one of the four Gospels, which tell the story of Jesus; Mark is the shortest. Others begin with Genesis for the beginning of the story, or with the Psalms for prayer. A short plan can help you start without feeling lost.

Observe

• Mark’s first sentence tells you what the book is about: “the Good News of Jesus Christ, the Son of God” (Mark 1:1).
• John the Baptist prepares the way, quoting the prophets (Mark 1:2-8).
• Jesus is baptised and hears a voice from heaven (Mark 1:9-11).
• Jesus’ first message is about the Kingdom of God, repentance and belief (Mark 1:14-15).

Words, people and events to notice

Gospel

In English, “gospel” means good news. It names both the message about Jesus and the four books that tell his story. Mark 1:1

Understand

1. What does Mark 1:1 tell the reader to expect?
2. How does Mark connect Jesus with the Old Testament prophets (Mark 1:2-3)?
3. What does Jesus ask of people in Mark 1:15?

Connect

• John 1:1–18

  Another Gospel’s very different opening: the Word who became flesh.

• Psalm 1:1–3

  The first psalm describes a person who delights in God’s law.

Reflect

1. Which starting point appeals to you most, and why?
2. How much could you realistically read each day?

Key takeaways

Editorial summary, not Scripture.

• A Gospel such as Mark is a good place to start.
• Starting small and steadily is better than starting big and stopping.

Read

Study objective: Learn a few simple questions that help you understand any passage in its setting.

Reading: Luke 10:25–37 · Acts 8:26–35

Background and context

Chapter and verse numbers are a help for finding places, but they were added long after the books were written: chapters in the thirteenth century and verses in the sixteenth. Read whole paragraphs and stories, not single verses on their own. The Ethiopian official in Acts 8 is reading Isaiah and needs help understanding it; asking questions is part of reading.

Observe

• In Luke 10, a question (“Who is my neighbour?”) prompts a story, and the story ends with Jesus’ own question.
• Notice who is speaking, to whom, and why: the lawyer wants to justify himself (Luke 10:29).
• Philip asks the official, “Do you understand what you are reading?” (Acts 8:30).
• The official answers, “How can I, unless someone explains it to me?” (Acts 8:31).

Words, people and events to notice

Context

What surrounds a passage: the verses before and after, who wrote it, to whom, and in what situation. Context guards against making a verse say what it does not.

Understand

1. Use four questions on Luke 10:25-37: Who is involved? What happens? Where does it happen? Why is the story told?
2. How does the setting (the lawyer’s question) shape the meaning of the parable?
3. What helped the official understand Isaiah?

Connect

• Nehemiah 8:8

  The law is read and its meaning explained so the people can understand.

• Acts 17:11

  The Bereans examined the Scriptures daily to see whether what they heard was true.

Reflect

1. Which of the four questions do you usually skip?
2. Who could you read with and ask questions?

Key takeaways

Editorial summary, not Scripture.

• Read whole passages, not isolated verses.
• Ask who, what, where and why; then ask what it means for you.
• Asking for help is part of reading well.

Read

Study objective: Plan a reading rhythm you can keep, and find others to read with.

Reading: Psalm 1:1–6 · Acts 17:10–12

Background and context

Psalm 1 pictures a person who meditates on God’s law day and night and is like a tree planted by water. The Bereans received the message eagerly and examined the Scriptures daily. Steady reading, even a few verses, shapes a life over time. A reading plan, a regular time and place, and a friend to read with all help.

Observe

• The person in Psalm 1 delights in God’s law and meditates on it (Psalm 1:2).
• The picture is of slow growth: a tree that yields fruit in its season (Psalm 1:3).
• The Bereans examined the Scriptures daily (Acts 17:11).
• Many believed as a result, both women and men (Acts 17:12).

Words, people and events to notice

Meditate

To think over and repeat, turning words over slowly, rather than reading quickly and moving on. Psalm 1:2 · Joshua 1:8

Understand

1. What does Psalm 1 compare a person who delights in God’s law to, and why?
2. What two attitudes do the Bereans show (Acts 17:11)?
3. What might “day and night” look like in an ordinary life?

Connect

• Deuteronomy 6:6–7

  God’s words are to be talked about at home, on the road, when lying down and rising up.

• Colossians 3:16

  Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and encourage one another.

Reflect

1. When and where could you read each day?
2. Which reading plan will you start with?
3. Who could you invite to read with you?

Key takeaways

Editorial summary, not Scripture.

• A little every day is better than a lot now and then.
• Choose a time, a place, a plan and a companion.
• If you miss days, simply begin again.