How to read the Bible
The Bible is the Word of God. It tells of God’s truth and love, and He reveals Himself through His Word.
This brief guide will introduce you to this book.
How did the Bible come together?
The Bible is not just a book that you sit down and read cover to cover like a novel. So who is the author? “All scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable” (2Timothy 3v16). It came together because “holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost” (2Peter 1v21).
How is the Bible made up?
The Bible contains 66 books: 39 in the Old Testament, and 27 in the New Testament. These books are divided into chapters and verses to make it easy to navigate. At the beginning of this Bible you will be able to find the names and page numbers of all the books in the Bible.
The layout of the Bible
Before you read
Before you start to read, ask God to help you to understand what you read. He always listens to our prayers, and helps us to understand the truth.
Recommended Reading
While you may start reading anywhere in the Bible, a recommended start would be the Gospel of John (this is on page 1063). It tells you Who the Lord Jesus is, and what He said and did. For example, in John 14v6, “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” No matter where you start reading, God can help you to trust and know Him more.
Read For Five Minutes a Day
If you’re not currently reading the Bible, start by reading for just five minutes a day. And if you miss a day, no worries! Pick right up where you left off. Don’t read the Bible as if it was something to check off on your to-do list. Instead, read it as a way to find out about and trust in God.
Reflect on What You’ve Read
We all struggle, at times, with forgetting something we just read! Take your time while reading. You may even want to go back and reread the passage slowly. Are there any verses that stand out to you? Write them in a notebook. God can speak to us directly through His Word.
Find a Good Bible Study Group
While you don’t have to go to a Bible believing study group to read the Bible, it can certainly help you learn more about, God and His salvation. There are a lot of Bible studies out there, but not all believe that the Bible is the Word of God. Whoever you are, God’s Word caters for you and you’re welcome to study the Bible with us.
The Bible in Action!
If you think that just reading the Bible is all you need to do then think again! God has taken all the necessary action to satisfy our needs arising from our sin. If the truth be told, you can’t just only read the Bible, but you need to trust in God’s Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ. Through Him you will receive God’s amazing spiritual blessings e.g. the total forgiveness of sins, peace in your life with God, eternal life and God’s help to change your life for the better. If you need any help please contact us. James 1v22 puts it best “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.”