Reading the Bible

WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO READ THE BIBLE?

Try different methods like memorizing, reading, in depth studying, outlining the sentences or the books, etc. Try everything you think of and go with whatever works for you.

WHICH BIBLE SHOULD I USE?

Try different versions and find the one you like. For a good variety, try out blb.org.

ARE THERE ANY GOOD WEBSITES TO STUDY THE BIBLE?

Blb.org (also known as blueletterbible.org) is unbeatable. It takes a little time to learn the site, but it is worth all the time you put into it.

WHAT IF THE BIBLE IS CONFUSING?

The Bible was written 2,000 to 3,000 years ago and it was written in a different culture. It can be at times confusing because there are several obstacles to hurdle. Nevertheless, there is enough in the Bible that you will understand to keep you busy. If you don't understand what you're reading, then make a note somewhere about it and move on. The more you read the Bible the more the confusion disappears. When you go back to those confusing parts on another day perhaps months later, you will find that many of them are no longer confusing. Why? Because the more you read the Bible the more it makes sense and the better you understand the world in which it was written.

WHAT ABOUT DEVOTIONS?

There are many devotions that are very helpful, but should not replace reading the Bible entirely. Some may spend 10 minutes in a devotion and 10 minutes reading the Bible. That works.

HOW TO READ?

This may seem like a dumb question, but many if not most people do not read the Bible properly. The Bible is a book of smaller books and letters all gathered together into one binding. To understand it the best read an entire book, not just verses or chapters. For example, everybody knows John 3:16 - "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son..." But do people know the rest of the book of John? No.

John 3:16 has a context, an entire book that was written by the Apostle for the purpose of bringing people to faith through telling the story of Jesus.

Every verse has a context, passages surrounding them and those all within a book or a letter written with a purpose.