Regular Bible reading is one of the best ways to learn about God and grow in your faith. Check out these pointers on how to get started.
First Steps
- Get a good Bible (see below for recommendations) and open to the gospel of Mark.
- Pray. Ask God’s Spirit to teach you his word.
- Grab a pen or pencil, and use one of our favorite Bible reading hack, “the Swedish method,” as you read. The name is goofy, but it’s a super simple way to get started.
- If you’d like extra guidance to get started, buy one of the devotional books under “Beginner.”
- If you’re looking for something more challenging, check out our “Intermediate” and “Advanced” options.
Get a Good Bible
Reading the Bible using an archaic translation with “thee” and “thou” is nearly impossible. We recommend buying a Bible translated into modern English, which includes helpful study notes to explain what you’re reading.
NIV — Biblical Theology Study Bible
Don’t let the big name scare you. The NIV is one of the most readable, reliable translations available. The notes are written in everyday English by sensible Bible scholars.
This translation is a bit less readable than the NIV because it tries to stay closer to the original languages, but it is still a readable translation, jam-packed with high-quality notes.
This isn’t a Bible. The Bible Project makes spectacular video introductions to every book in the Bible online for free. Before you read any book, watch the Bible project video on it, and we promise it will make much more sense.
Beginner
If you’re newer to reading the Bible and want more guidance on what something means, then this is the place to start. These devotions all take 10 minutes or less per day.
This year-long daily devotional takes you through the book of Psalms, an Old Testament collection of songs that Jesus sang from his earliest days.
God’s Wisdom for Navigating Life, Tim Keller
This year-long daily devotional takes you through the book of Proverbs, an ancient collection of sayings and songs designed to make the reader wise.
Luke for Everyone, N.T. Wright
Read through the entire story of Jesus in the gospel of Luke. These devotions are a bit longer than Keller’s, but include lots of illustration and application.
Intermediate
These studies are great if you want to move past pre-written devotions but still want guidance on how to interpret and apply the Bible. They will train you to read your Bible on your own.
The Crossing Bible Guide: Mark, The Crossing
This free guide takes you through the story of Jesus in the gospel of Mark in 12 weeks. Each week has three twenty-minute studies designed to help you observe, interpret, and apply the Bible to your life. We recommend printing it off, so you can write your answers to questions.
Abide: A Study of 1, 2, 3 John, Jen Wilkin
This 11-week study takes you through the apostle John’s letters to the early church. It requires at least 30 minutes per day. Jen Wilkin also offers a free 40-50 minute-long audio session for each week.
Advanced
If you want to tackle even deeper study, then these reading plans are for you.
God’s Story is Our Story: From Genesis to Jesus, The Crossing
This nine-month reading plan walks you through a highlight reel of the Old Testament and the Gospels. It is designed to help you understand the whole story of the Bible and fit your everyday life within it. It includes weekly devotions and Bible Project videos.
God of Creation: Genesis 1-11, Jen Wilkin
The Bible is front-loaded. This means that Genesis really matters, and understanding it has the power to make sense of your life.
Numbers, Christopher Wright and Elizabeth McQuoid
This 30-day devotional takes you through one of the Old Testament’s least read books. Numbers challenges us to take God’s provision and authority seriously, even in the face of adversity.
How-To Guides
One of the biggest roadblocks to becoming a Bible reader is learning how to read the Bible. The best place to start is to reach out to a pastor or small group leader who reads the Bible and ask them to teach you. On top of that check out some of the following resources:
Women of the World, Jen Wilkin
Part of what makes reading the Bible difficult is that we often start with a bad strategy. This book provides a clear, concise plan of approach that you can use over and over again. (Pro tip: It’s not just for women.)
The Joy of Discovery, Oletta Wald
If you can ignore terrible book covers, and want the best, short, practical guide to Bible reading skills out there, then check this out.
How to Read the Bible Videos and Podcasts
The Bible Project team has put together a whole series of videos explaining the different genres in the Bible and how to read them. They have videos on podcasts on each topic.
Want more direction on how to read your Bible? Crossing pastor Patrick Miller shares about how to grow in your hunger for Jesus and for the Bible.
