My new friend looked visibly relieved when I asked if she’d like help choosing a Bible. Next read Philippians, Ephesians and Colossians, which provide practical encouragement and instruction for living the Christian life. Is this God speaking to man or man speaking to God? As one of Jesus’ closest disciples, John’s account is both riveting and informative. Bible Study Resources - Tips, Online Bible Search, Devotions, 3 Reasons the 'Christmas Star' of 2020 Is Bringing So Much Hope. For example, if you are reading verses that describe the details and events of Jesus’ birth in the book of Luke, you would be looking at prose. Psalms is filled with heartfelt prayers that offer encouragement for every season of life. You may also pull out the verses regularly so you can read them and try to understand them better. First, I encourage you to start, even on a modified and very small level. Be intentional about getting God’s Word into your thoughts and you’ll soon see your relationship with God thrive and your life change. Many people read their Bible first thing in the morning, choosing to spend time with God before daily distractions get in the way. This will help keep you focused and motivated. (For example, see UCG Bible Reading Program (OT only, soon to be expanded to include NT.) You can also bring the verses to a Bible study group so you can share them with others and reflect on them together. My mind naturally thinks of “love” as affectionate or romantic, but that’s not what this verse means. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. You can also scan the Bible for verses that contain terms like “hope,” “love,” “healing,” or “fear.”. For example, I may read “For God so loved the world” in John 3:16. The Bible was never meant to merely inform us; the Bible was meant to transform us. There are many plans available to help with reading the Bible in a year, where passages are assigned for each day of the year. Jeremiah 29:13 says, “You will seek me and find Me, if you seek Me with all your heart.” God loves to reveal himself to those who seek Him. For example, if you want to study John 3, look it up using Bible Gateway's search feature. Analyzing the Verses Read the Bible verses aloud. “When thinking about the original audience,” Hunter and Wellum explain, “we should distinguish the original characters in the story from the original readers, those who were reading Scripture about those characters” (47). Good News Translation. You need to understand the genre, the tone, the purpose for which it was written, and at least have a general comprehension of what the passage means. Maybe, even now, you’re shaking your head in agreement, thinking, Yes. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. 5) The fifth suggestion is to use a Bible reading plan. Pause before you open your Bible and ask God to speak to you. Let’s look at a couple of examples: Look at Matthew 13 v 1 to 9 In this chapter we are presented with the parable of the sower. For example, in the concordance of the NIV Study Bible, below the word warrior are the references Exodus 15:3; 1 Chronicles 28:3; and Proverbs 16:32. John’s purpose in writing is to help us believe, making it the ideal place to start. Scores of people feel overwhelmed when it comes to reading the Bible. It’s been years since I encountered the gal at Barnes and Noble but when I think of her, I smile. Another example of the Bible explaining it self is found in the prophecy of Isaiah. Read the Bible 2. Subsequent citations do not require the translation unless that changes. She stood frozen, open-mouthed in front of the rows of Bibles in the religion section at Barnes and Noble. Once you have been assigned a pas… For example, if you are struggling with feelings of fear or doubt, you may read and reflect on verses that address these topics. Ask God use His Word to teach you, to direct you and even to re-direct you, when necessary. Pause to let the message sink in because these words are God’s words to you. If you’re new to the Bible, the best place to start is the Gospel of John. She wanted to read the Bible; she hadn’t known there would be so many options. Translation names should not be abbreviated (e.g., write out King James Version instead of using KJV). You can try audio version of the Bible or maintain a diary or write and remember the chapters and verse correctly. The entire Bible revolves around Jesus as mankind's access to God. If you are reading verses that use poetic language and short phrases, you are likely reading poetry. Add the version of the Bible … They are strictly there to make locating particular verses easier. There are 15 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. Once you have done a close reading of the verses, apply them to your daily life to deepen your spirituality. Analyze the verses by reading them aloud and identify any questions or ideas raised. Looking up a Verse by Number Identify the book of the verse. wikiHow's. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/f9\/Read-Bible-Verses-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Read-Bible-Verses-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/f9\/Read-Bible-Verses-Step-1.jpg\/aid9490644-v4-728px-Read-Bible-Verses-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"