Bible Guide / July 18, 2024 / 2 min read
How To Read Your Bible
A Guide for New Believers
Elevated Church Team
Ready to read the Bible for the first time? Start with a small, repeatable practice. You do not need to understand every book before you can begin learning about Jesus.
A simple way to begin
- Choose a readable translation. The New Living Translation (NLT) is one accessible starting point. Our translation guide explains other options.
- Choose a Bible you can use regularly. A printed Bible or an app such as YouVersion can help you keep the text close at hand. Begin with the Bible passage itself before turning to study notes or devotional commentary.
- Start with one Gospel. Try Mark or John. Read a short section each day rather than jumping between all four Gospels. Notice what Jesus says, does, and asks of the people around Him.
- Choose a regular time and place. Set aside a manageable amount of time, perhaps ten minutes. If you miss a day, return the next day without trying to punish yourself by catching up all at once.
- Pray for understanding. Ask God to help you understand the passage in its setting and respond to what you learn.
- Reflect and apply. Write down one thing the passage shows you about God, one question, and one way you could respond. Read the surrounding verses before drawing a conclusion from a single sentence.
- Read with others. Bring your questions to a trusted believer or connect with a church group. Learning together can help you notice what you missed and avoid conclusions based only on your first impression.
Keep returning
Understanding grows over time. Some passages will be immediately clear; others will require patience and help. Stay curious, read carefully, and give yourself room to learn. The purpose is to know God and live in response to His word, one faithful step at a time.