The Bible is a collection of narratives, poems, letters, proverbs, visions and laws. New readers might be overwhelmed by the diverse genres. But don’t worry! You can read the Bible, enjoy it and learn from it. Here are a few tips to help you start reading the Bible:
1. Don’t worry, the Bible isn’t all about laws
Some people imagine the Bible is a book of laws – in reality that’s a small portion. Half of the Bible is narrative – stories about God changing lives. About 30% is poetry – powerful emotional responses to suffering, love, faith and God. You can jump straight in and understand a lot (although not all) of what you read on your first time. Reading from cover to cover is a pretty big achievement (66 books!), so you might want to start with one book – the best place to start is one of the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke or John).
2. The Bible is literature that takes time to fully appreciate
Expect to come across passages that are hard to understand. The Bible is ‘meditation literature’ – it is a collection of books that requires patience, thoughtfulness and rereading to fully appreciate. Don’t expect to solve every puzzle or master all its wisdom quickly. Expect to spend your life digging deeper. Our culture prioritises convenience and entertainment, reading the Bible cultivates patience and points us to greater rewards than the instant dopamine hits of TikTok.
3. You can read the Bible fast or slow!
Reading fast helps you get the big picture, reading slow helps you understand the details. Either is great! If you want to read slow, pick a book and read a chapter a day, asking yourself:
- What does this teach me about God?
- Or the struggles humans experience?
- Why do we need a saviour?
- and (if you’ve read enough to get the big picture) how does Jesus save us?
4. Read the Bible with other people
Today, most of us read silently, sitting alone. When the Bible was written, reading was outloud, together. Reading the Bible in community (as well as on your own) will enhance your experience. Conversations will be provoked and you will learn more together than you would alone. Many churches run bible reading groups. If you want to have the full Bible reading experience, make sure you visit a church and get involved. They’ll be glad to see you and happy to help you explore the Bible.
5. The point of the Bible is a person
Don’t miss the point of the Bible! A lot of people do. Jesus said “You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me” John 5:39. Jesus says the Bible points to him. Although the Bible is a collection of many books and poems, it tells one story. A story about the God who made our world and will rescue it, who loves us and can save us from the harm we have done to ourselves. Jesus is the beating heart of the story. Read and find out.
