Reading the Bible is good, but it can be challenging for a first-timer. Do you want to know how to read the Bible for the first time?
As Christians, the Bible is God’s word that reveals God and shows us how to live a life that glorifies God. But if you’re new to the Bible, it can be a bit difficult for you to get along. So, how can you read the Bible for the first time?
How To Read The Bible For The First Time
To read the Bible for the first time, you need to find a starting place, a plan, and tools to help you understand what you read. Don’t feel like you have to read it cover-to-cover on a spot.
Focus on developing a consistent Bible reading habit and let the Holy Spirit guide your understanding. The Bible is God’s living word, and you need guidance. Here are 9 strategies on how to read the Bible for the first time.
1. Start With A Quiet Place Where You Can Focus
God’s word can transform our lives, but starting something new, such as reading the Bible, can be hard. God wants you to know Him through His Word, and there are helpful ways to help you read the Bible as a newcomer.
One of the ways on how to read the Bible for the first time is to start with a quiet place where you can focus. Beginning with a quiet place is like giving God a unique invitation to your day.
It shows that you want to grow closer to Him. You want to be able to open up the Bible and have your complete attention turn towards God and His words.
You can’t always control what’s happening around you, but finding a spot where you’re less likely to be interrupted is essential. But where’s a good “quiet place”? It can be anywhere.
It could be your bedroom, a corner in your backyard, or a park on a quiet day. The most important thing is to find somewhere you won’t be interrupted and can concentrate.
Sometimes, even in a calm place, our minds still race. If that happens, take a few deep breaths. Tell God what’s on your heart, then focus on His Word. You can even play soft worship music to make it easier to flow.
Jesus sometimes went to quiet places to pray and connect with His Father. One example is in Mark 1:35: “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.”
If Jesus needed that quiet time, we do need it, too. So, how can you read the Bible in a calm place where you can focus? Here are two ways on how to read the Bible for the first time in a quiet place;
I. Wake up a little earlier than everyone else. The world is still asleep, and it’s much easier to be quiet. It could be the first thing in the morning or right before bed. Pick a time when you’re less likely to be distracted.
II. Start with a few minutes at first. It’s better to be consistent with short sessions than overwhelmed with extensive sessions. Even 5 minutes can make a difference. Turn off notifications and dedicate that time to just you and God.
Don’t worry about how long you read or if you understand everything. Just be consistent. A few minutes every day will change your life.
2. Pray Before You Begin Reading
Have you felt the nudge to read the Bible more? Maybe you just became a Christian, or perhaps this desire to understand God’s Word better has been in your heart for a while.
God wants to speak to you through His Word, and there are simple steps to make your reading time meaningful and clear. One of the ways on how to read the Bible for the first time is to pray before you begin reading.
Praying before reading helps you quiet your thoughts and worries, allowing you to focus on God’s word. It helps prepare your heart and mind to understand what God wants to say to you.
The Bible says in Jeremiah 29:13, “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Prayer is a way of showing God how serious you are about understanding Him and His teachings.
By praying, you invite the Holy Spirit to guide you as you read. So, how do you pray before you begin reading? Here are two ways on how to read the Bible for the first time by praying;
I. Ask God for understanding as you’re about to read His word. You can say a prayer like, “Dear God, please help me understand your Word. Open my eyes to see the truth you have for me.”
II. Pray for guidance because it’s necessary. It’s one thing to read, and it’s another to understand what you’re reading. You can pray, “Holy Spirit, please guide my reading today. Show me what you want me to learn and how to apply it to my life.”
Taking a few minutes to pray before reading the Bible can make a big difference in how you connect with God’s Word. It transforms your Bible reading time from learning information to conversing with God.
3. Get A Journal And A Pen
Have you felt a little directionless when trying to read the Bible? Like, where do you even start? The Bible is big; there are many stories and names, and sometimes it feels confusing.
I’ve been there! But I’ve also learned a few tricks that have made reading the Bible much easier. One of the ways on how to read the Bible for the first time is to get a journal and a pen.
A journal helps you track your spiritual growth; it’s like a place where you document everything about your spiritual life, progress made so far, the challenges you face, how you can overcome them, and what to do next time.
A journal is like a notebook where you record your relationship with God. As you read the Bible, write it down if something jumps out at you. Maybe a Bible verse looks powerful, or a story reminds you of something in your life. Pen it down for more study.
Writing these things down will help you remember them and think about them later. Your journal isn’t only for writing down Bible verses. Use it for prayers or to ask God questions about your reading. Maybe you don’t understand why something happened in a Bible story.
Write down your questions. It’s an excellent way to keep track of things you want to understand better. So, how to read the Bible for the first time with a journal and pen? Here’s how to start:
I. Find a journal you love and a pen that feels good to write with.
II. Don’t try to read the whole Bible in one sitting. It’s great to start with a chapter at a time.
Having a journal while reading your Bible will change everything. It will help you slow down, meditate on God’s Word, and remember some key points you might miss.
4. Use A Study Bible
Reading the Bible can help you to grow spiritually as a new starter, but with so many verses, stories, and timelines, you need expert guidance. One of the ways on how to read the Bible for the first time is to use a study Bible.
A study Bible is a more comprehensive guide designed to enrich your reading experience and help you learn more than the direct passage you read in the Bible.
It always includes explanatory notes, cross-references, maps, charts, and articles to provide context and insight into the text. Examples of popular study Bibles include the ESV Study Bible, the NIV Study Bible, and the Life Application Study Bible.
A study Bible helps you understand some historical context, what certain words meant back then, and how they connect.
It also has maps that bring Bible stories to life, showing where they happened and in what order. You can read experts’ comments and insights on different topics and verses with a study Bible.
Let’s say you’re reading a passage about King David in the Psalms. A study Bible will give you clues on the background information on David’s life, historical context about the period, and insights into the meaning of specific verses.
These additional resources can help you get some confusing passages and deepen your understanding of the text you’re reading. Here’s how to read the Bible for the first time using a study Bible:
I. Pick a book of the Bible to start with. An excellent place to begin is with one of the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John), which tells the story of Jesus.
II. Read with your study Bible open. Check out the notes and other features, and write down what you learned as you go.
Study Bibles also include supplementary materials like concordances, dictionaries, and reading plans that can add more beauty to your study.
These tools can be invaluable for beginners and seasoned believers, providing guidance and structure as you read the Bible.
5. Start With The New Testament
One of the ways on how to read the Bible for the first time is to start with the New Testament. The New Testament is the story of Jesus Christ.
It’s where you learn who He is, how much He loves you, His teachings, and the plan of salvation He brought. This foundation is essential for spiritual growth and understanding since you’re reading the Bible for the first time.
Reading the New Testament helps you understand who Jesus is and what it means to follow him. You might wonder, “If I read the New Testament first, won’t I miss some important things in the Old Testament?” Not at all.
The Old Testament and the New Testament are connected, like two-story parts. Reading the New Testament sets you up to understand the Old Testament even better later.
The New Testament is a great place to start because it contains stories and lessons you can apply to your life immediately.
It’s like an instruction manual for how to live a life like a disciple of Jesus Christ. How to read the Bible for the first time? Here are two ways to start with the New Testament;
I. Start with the gospels. Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John tell the story of Jesus’ life and ministry from slightly different perspectives. You can choose one like John, known for its clear explanation of who Jesus is, and read it from beginning to end.
II. Find a reading plan online and stick to it to guide you. Some walk you through the New Testament over a month or a year.
The goal is not to become a Bible expert overnight. It’s about opening your heart to hear from God and letting His words transform you.
As you get familiar with the New Testament, you will be excited to look into the Old Testament and see how it all fits together.
6. Use A Bible Translation
One of the ways on how to read the Bible for the first time is to use a Bible translation that makes sense to you. Reading the Bible in a way you can quickly get would make exploring God’s Word much more enjoyable and understandable.
Just like a map can be in English, French, or Spanish, the Bible was originally written in ancient languages and has been translated into a modern one.
Some Bible translations focus on being accurate to the original languages the Bible was written in (like Greek and Hebrew). Other translations concentrate on getting the message across.
Both ways are good, but choosing what’s best for you as a beginner and easier to understand is good since it’s your first time reading God’s word.
We have many excellent Bible translations, each with its own style, like the King James version (the most popular version), Amplified Bible version, New International Version, New King James Version, Revised standard version, etc.
Some make things more straightforward, some have a bit of colour, and others magnify the details and break them down into smaller text.
So, how do you read the Bible for the first time using a translation? Here’s how to read the Bible for the first time using a Bible translation;
I. Look for different translations online or in a bookstore. You can ask for recommendations. Talk to your pastor, Christian friends, or a knowledgeable librarian for ideas.
II. Use two or three of any translation to understand different perspectives from the versions and better understand a particular subject or passage. The more knowledge you have, the more you grow.
Don’t be afraid to experiment with different Bible translations. Finding one that makes sense or speaks to you better will make reading the Bible a joy instead of a chore and help you draw closer to your relationship with God.
7. Pay Attention To The Stories And Lessons In The Bible
One of the ways on how to read the Bible for the first time is to pay attention to the stories and lessons in the Bible. These stories are more than just entertainment.
They teach us about God, ourselves, and how to live the way He wants. The Bible has different kinds of writing, not just stories. You have poetry, history, letters from early Christians, and even prophecies about the future.
All of these tell us about God and how much He loves us. As you read, think about the writing it is, who wrote it, and what lessons we can learn. For example, look at the story of David and Goliath (1 Samuel 17).
It’s not just about a boy defeating a giant. It shows us that God can use anyone, even someone small, to do big things if they trust Him.
So, how do you read the Bible for the first time and pay attention to the stories and lessons in the Bible? Here’s how to read the Bible for the first time:
I. Read With A Purpose And Take Note Of The Passage You Read. Write down thoughts, questions, or things that stand out to you.
II. Ask Yourself Some Questions Like: What happened in this passage? Why did this person do that? What does this story teach me about God? How does it apply to my life? There are no silly questions when it comes to the Bible.
Some Bible stories might seem complicated to understand since they were written long ago in a different culture. But the lessons in them are still true and essential for us today.
8. Follow A Reading Plan
We talked briefly about this earlier, but it is important to note it. One of the ways on how to read the Bible for the first time is to follow a reading plan.
Reading the bible time might make you not know what to do next, where to read next, and how to go about your reading method.
However, with a reading plan, you can approach it systematically as planned for you in the reading plans. These plans are good for first-timers because they provide structure and direction, helping you stay focused and engaged as you study God’s Word.
Following a reading plan, you can explore different Bible themes, books, or topics in your timeframe.
Whether you’re interested in studying the life of Jesus, knowing the wisdom of Proverbs, or tracing the history of Israel, there’s a reading plan tailored to your interests and needs.
So, where do you find a reading plan? Many Bible apps have plans built right in! You can also find some online. Choose one that suits you, and if you miss a day, don’t worry. Just pick up where you left off.
Not only does a reading plan provide structure, but it also helps cultivate consistency in your reading habits. By committing to a plan, you establish a routine of spending time in God’s Word daily.
9. Focus On One Verse Or Story And Meditate On It
The last but not most minor point on how to read the Bible for the first time is focusing on one verse or story and meditating on it.
We are in a world full of distractions, but taking the time to ponder and reflect on a single passage can be a powerful way to connect with God’s Word. To meditate on a verse, read it multiple times.
Break the verse down word by word. Think about concepts like “love,” “sacrifice,” and “everlasting life.” What do those things mean to you? How does this verse make you feel?
Please write down what you gain and say it out loud. Pray about it. Ask God to help you understand what it means for your own life.
Focusing on one verse or story at a time and meditating on it can change your life and help you grow spiritually. So, make it a habit, and you will see that the word of God you read will transform your thoughts, words, and actions.
What Order Should I Read The Bible For The First Time?
Reading the Bible for the first time can be exciting and, at the same time, confusing for those embarking on their first journey through the Bible. Choosing the right order of reading can provide more clarity and context.
So, what order should I read the Bible for the first time? Start with the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) in the New Testament. These books provide a direct introduction to the life and teachings of Jesus Christ, the central figure of Christianity.
You should start with the gospel because the gospel helps you to know who Jesus is and gives you a foundation for understanding the core beliefs and principles of Christianity.
Once you have a grounding in Jesus’s ministry, you can expand your reading to other parts of the Bible for additional context and deeper understanding.
What Is The First Step In Reading The Bible?
It’s good to read the Bible, but there are some steps to follow before you read it. So, what is the first step in reading the Bible? The first step in reading the Bible is to pray to God and ask for the guidance of the Holy Spirit to help you understand the Bible more deeply. Ask for wisdom and discernment as you begin to read.
As the inspired Word of God, the Bible is best understood with the illumination of the Holy Spirit. So, praying for understanding and clarity make things work for you in your Bible study.
How Should A Beginner Read The Bible?
Reading the Bible can be intimidating for a beginner. However, with the right approach, the Bible can be a transformation for a beginner. So, How should a beginner read the Bible?
Beginners should start by reading the Gospels in the New Testament to develop a foundational understanding of Jesus. The Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) provide an excellent starting point because they tell the story of Jesus Christ’s life, ministry, death, and resurrection.
Best Order To Read The Bible For The First Time
The order you choose when reading the Bible for the first time can significantly impact how you understand its message. The best order to read the Bible for the first time is to start with the Gospel of John, followed by the book of Acts and the Epistles.
Then, you can alternate between an Old Testament book and poetic books like Proverbs and Psalms. You can choose a translation you understand.
Easier-to-read versions like the New Living Translation (NLT) or Amplified can make the Bible more interesting to read for you. You can also follow a Bible reading plan because it provides helpful guidance and structure.
Where Should I Start Reading The Bible For The First Time?
When beginning the journey of reading the Bible for the first time, the question of where to physically start reading can be important. So, where should I start reading the Bible for the first time?
Find a quiet and comfortable space where you can read without distractions, such as a peaceful corner in your home, a quiet park bench, or a warm cafe.
Choosing the right Bible reading location can enhance your experience and focus. Look for a place where you feel relaxed and at ease, away from noise and interruptions.
This could be a designated reading nook in your home, a serene outdoor setting, or a quiet corner in a cafe where you can enjoy coffee or tea alongside your reading.
Conclusion
In summary, I’m confident that if you follow these strategies in this post, reading the Bible for the first time would be interesting to you, and you would be encouraged to be committed to reading more of God’s words.
Don’t be in a rush to finish the Bible at once or in days. Consistency is more important than tackling everything at once.
