10 Ways to Get the Most Out of Reading the Bible

When I was a child, my parents regularly encouraged me to read my Bible. I won’t sugarcoat it. I didn’t want to read my Bible. It seemed to be full of “dos and don’ts” that I did not want to face or follow. Eight-year-old me thought that was what being a Christian was––avoiding the bad and doing the good. And the Bible held the rules I had to live by to make that possible. 

Unsurprisingly, reading the Bible felt like a burden. I struggled to stay awake during our impromptu family Bible-reading nights (which often interrupted my favorite TV show), so the prospect of reading it voluntarily and on my own did not sound promising. 

Most times, I opened up my Bible to a page at random. Wherever my finger landed, I would start reading. It was a terrible approach that proved fruitless and confusing. There are still days when reading the Bible feels daunting. But over time, I’ve learned how to approach my Bible-reading with planning, purpose and focus to alleviate that overwhelmed feeling. 

I also approach reading my Bible––as with the whole of my Christian walk––relying on the Holy Spirit to guide and teach me. I aim to be more like Christ and deepen my faith through its pages, instead of finding and following rules. I lean on the Lord for Bible-reading strategies and resources that lead to a better reading experience. You can too. 

What is the Best Way to Read the Bible? 

The “best way” to read the Bible is very personal. It’s different for everyone. But in this post, I’ll share 10 ways I believe you can get the most out of reading the Bible. I pray that after reading these tips for reading the Bible, you’ll come away desiring to read it again and again. 

First, we’ll go over the basics of the Bible. You can also jump to the first way to get the most out of your Bible-reading below.  

The Bible: A Quick Overview

Here’s a refresher of what the Bible is and what it contains. The Bible (sometimes called “Holy Scriptures” or “the Scriptures”) is made up of 66 books written by different writers. In terms of its structure, it’s split into two sections or parts, the Old Testament (39 books) and the New Testament (27 books). 

The books of the Bible follow many different genres and styles of writing. To see a list of books of the Bible and learn more about them and their genres, view this Books of the Bible overview from Bible Study Tools. 

The key themes in the Bible are fairly simple: forgiveness, redemption and love. They are woven into many stories across the 66 books, many of which point to Jesus. The Bible Project series, How to Read the Bible does a great job of breaking these down (as well as genres and styles) over the course of several 5-minute videos (start in episode 2). 

For a quick breakdown of the history of the Bible, its writers and how it all came together—from the Jewish Scriptures to the writings of the disciples—you’ll want to check out the video below from Bible Project. You can read up on the history of Bible translation here.

1. Firmly anchor yourself in what the Bible is 

Understanding the Bible’s value and importance is the first step in how to get the most out of reading the Bible. What we believe about the Bible––what it is, what it’s for and who it’s for––will set the stage for how we approach reading it. 

Let’s set the record straight. If we follow Christ and profess to be Christians, then we have to believe the following is true about the Bible:

• It is the divine word of God, inspired by God, so it contains His words for us. It’s not a product of human ideas. He is the author (2 Timothy 3:16-17). 
• It’s inerrant (meaning without errors) and infallible, which means it’s never wrong. It’s incapable of being wrong, in fact (Proverbs 30:5-6).
• The Bible is our standard for faith. It’s our source of truth and the standard by which we measure any claims about Christianity (John 17:17). 
• It’s meant to teach, correct and train us, but for the purpose of equipping us for life, not proving we are doing the right things (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
• We gain our understanding about who God is, His will for us, what He has done and will do from the Bible (John 6:40, 1 Thessalonians. 4:1-3). The Bible is the authority on God and establishes His authority, which is why we do what it says (James 1:22). 
• The Bible is alive and active (Hebrews 4:12), effective (Isaiah 55:10-11), our guide (Psalm 119:105) and our treasure (Psalm 119:72).

As Christians, we believe the Bible is like no other book on earth. It’s the book of our faith, the cornerstone text for our lives. So if we believe everything the Bible says about itself, then we know that what we can expect to gain from it is divine and incomparable to anything we might learn from any book or person.  

We know we can trust it. That should help our hearts be open and receptive. But we also know we need it to stay clear on what we believe. We need it to understand God and His love, and to know how to obey Him. We won’t find that innately in ourselves. 

If we don’t believe the truths above to be true, then the Bible is just another book we read for entertainment or to gain useful tips about life. We’ll get very little from it.

In appreciating its eternal, unmistakable value, we also worship its author—God. My recognizing the worth of the Bible often sets me in a posture of worship toward God––and we are called to worship Him (Psalm 29:2, Matthew 4:10). That alone brings about good fruit from reading it.

You can find more foundational Christian truths about the Bible in Why We Believe the Bible by Pastor John Piper, and in 8 Things Your Bible Says About Itself from The Gospel Coalition.

2. Recognize and remember the benefits of reading the Bible

Why read the Bible? Research shows that reading the Bible four days or more every week can have a positive impact. Consistent Bible reading results in reduced anxiety, more peace, less porn usage, sharing the gospel more often and more, according to research by the Center for Bible Engagement. 

Here’s what the Bible says about itself regarding its benefits:

• The Bible is where you and I encounter joy, hope, strength and life (Psalm 130:5, Psalm 119:28, John 15:11). 
• It’s where we see and hear of His promises to us (Romans 8:28, 1 Peter 1:3-5). 
• In it, we are reminded of Christ’s grace and redemptive power through His death and resurrection (Ephesians 1:7). 
• The Bible is where you and I find the keys to wisdom, peace, healing and truth (James 3:17, John 14:27, John 17:17). 
• Last but not least, the Bible allows us to grow in faith, which draws us near to God as we’re reminded of who He is to us (Hebrews 11:6).

Despite these treasurable truths (Psalm 119:162), we often hesitate to read the Bible. Why? I’m convinced we forget about its benefits. We forget it’s like a soothing balm for our souls (Psalm 107:20). 

We need to be reminded of the benefits of reading the Bible to get the most from it because our hearts are prone to wander from it and from God. We naturally do what we don’t want to do, Paul says in Romans 7:14-20. The Psalmist urges himself in Psalms 103:1-5 not to forget God’s benefits!

It does us well to approach Bible reading as a need over a requirement or a responsibility. 

In short, because of our human nature we tend to forget God’s goodness and have a habit of chasing after our own desires instead of spending time in His word. It does us well to approach Bible reading as a need over a requirement or a responsibility. 

We desperately need to reflect on the Bible’s words—as desperately as we need salvation through Jesus Christ. The primary benefit of reading my Bible is being steered right back to Jesus and His place on the throne of my life. When I seek that, I’ll get the most from it.

3. Approach your reading with purpose

You might be asking, “Ok, but how should I read the Bible? And where do I start?” These are valid questions. My answer is simple: Read the Bible with a plan and a purpose, no matter what you choose and where you start.

Don’t be like 8-year-old me. Instead of picking a page in the Bible or a book of the Bible at random, make your Bible reading intentional. This means you are making conscious choices about what you read and why you read it before you start. 

You shouldn’t be reading aimlessly, hoping knowledge will spontaneously drop into your heart and mind. Approach the Bible with questions. In your reading, you should actively be seeking something, and know what that is (knowledge, wisdom, peace, etc.). As the adage goes: If you know where you’re going, you’re bound to get there.

In your reading, you should actively be seeking something, and know what that is.

Here are some helpful questions to think through before starting your Bible reading. It may be helpful to get a dedicated notebook you can use to write your answers before you read.

• What do I need to be reminded of about myself, God or my faith in this season?
• What do I hope to gain from reading what I choose?
• What do I already know about the book I’m considering?
• What research can I do to get myself familiar with the book and its writer?

This approach may come off a little dry, as if Bible reading is homework. But you can plan and research and still approach Bible reading with wonder, expectation and curiosity. 

Have you ever looked into the history of the Bible? The way it was first printed on the Gutenberg press, the way it has reached every corner of the world and continues to be the best-selling book in the world is truly impressive. 

In the same way, the story behind each book of the Bible is fascinating. But looking into that background also gives you the proper context for reading and will help you know if it’s the book or set of passages you want to read at present. Once you’ve answered your questions around purpose, it should help narrow down what you’re reading and why. 

Obviously, pray about your plan and purpose, asking God to lead you in your decision-making.

Where to start reading the Bible

If you’re wondering where to start and want to be pointed in a particular direction, here’s a quick tip. Many advise starting in a Gospel book (Matthew, Mark, Luke or John), in the book of Genesis or in one of the epistles (letters) written by Paul to the churches. 

• Genesis allows you to start at the beginning and read the Scriptures in chronological order, for the most part.
• The Gospels allow you to start with Jesus. You’ll be reminded of His teachings and who He is, cemented in the truth of a perfect Savior. 
• The epistles are typically short and provide helpful instructions for Christians today. This will make it easy to apply what you read daily.

And if you’re nervous about how to choose the right translation, know that there is no right or wrong translation version. 

The translations (New International Version, English Standard Version, etc.) simply approach translation of the Bible from its original Greek and Hebrew to English differently—some are more literal (word-for-word) while others translate less literally (thought-for-thought). Imagine each translation on a range scale, from most literal to least literal. 

Choose according to your preference. But you should make a habit of reading many different translations. Learn more in this short video.

4. Make a plan, create a habit and stay focused

1. Make a plan. Choosing a concrete book, passage or section to read for the month or next several months will help keep you anchored on the days you feel less inclined to read. You’ve got plenty of options:

2. Create a habit. Spend time in God’s Word every day if you can. Whether it’s one verse or a whole passage, approach Bible reading as part of your regular rhythm, like brushing your teeth or taking a shower. Your reading environment should also be consistent and comfortable. Ideally, your reading spot is comfortable enough so your study doesn’t feel like work or school, but not so much that you’re tempted to fall asleep.

3. Stay focused. For some, this may be easier said than done. But don’t worry. The idea of staying focused is to simply not deviate from the plan, no matter how attractive another book of the Bible starts to look, if the content starts to lag or is repetitive or boring. Don’t change the plan. Find ways to meet your very simple goal—to read through the book of the Bible or sections of Scripture you set out to read. Push through!

4. (BONUS) Set a timeline and a reward. This one is optional as it may not work for everyone. Start at 15 minutes a day, then work your way to 30 minutes and so on. Determine what you get to enjoy or do as a reward for sticking to your daily goal. Maybe it’s a new pen or highlighter for your note-taking, or a fancy coffee from a nearby coffee shop if you tend to make your coffee at home.

Above all, your goals for Bible reading should be realistic. Do whatever it takes to stick to your plan, but don’t be too hard on yourself. 

You may not feel like reading a full chapter of Deuteronomy on a rough day, when you’re feeling sick or haven’t slept. That’s ok. Read half the chapter in the morning and the rest in the evening. 

If you know that for you daily Bible reading is a long shot, start with 2-3 times a week.

5. Pray before and after reading

We’ve established that the primary reason we read our Bibles is to allow what we read to transform us. We’re looking for it to reach us, not just intellectually (filling us with knowledge about God and His ways), but spiritually. For that, we’ll need the Holy Spirit’s help.

Before and after reading each day, ask God to help you understand. This applies no matter how long you’ve been a Christian and how many times you’ve read or heard a Bible passage.

Pray for God to help you apply what you’re reading through the Holy Spirit within you, because putting the words of the Bible into practice is essential. Practicing what I read steadies me in my walk with Christ, blesses me and helps me avoid being deceived. It’s so important that both Jesus and James mention it in Matthew 7:24-25 and James 1:22-25.

Understanding the Bible depends on my willingness to surrender to what I need from it today. This means I need to be ready to learn something new as well as do what it says. Prayer prepares my heart for both. 

To that end, we want to pray for humility, clarity and openness (Psalm 119:18). 

To be clear, the Bible doesn’t only challenge and transform me (through the Holy Spirit). The Bible is designed to encourage me as well, pointing me to how I’m pleasing the Lord and doing His will. It’s not all correction and rebuke. God also longs to remind us of His love and care for us in His word! That’s why we should pray to get the most out of what He has for us personally that day.

David Platt from Radical provides encouraging tips about how to read the Bible correctly and re-learn how to love reading it in difficult seasons. 

6. Build in reflection and meditation time

Whether you make a plan to read one chapter in the morning or whatever you can fit in 15 minutes, be sure to carve out time to reflect on what you’ve read as well. This additional time after your Bible reading allows you to read and re-read the passage in different ways to get the most out of time in God’s Word.

• Read the passage in context, as a whole (not just the one verse). You’ll want to read at least from the start of the chapter, if possible, so you can understand the Scripture in its correct context.
• Look back at previous chapters and what has led to this point. 
• Journal and take notes while reading.
• Most importantly, make sure you’ve included time to meditate on Scripture (Joshua 1:8, Philippians 4:8). Try the SOAP method!

7. Share what you’re reading with someone

You should communicate your Bible-reading goals with a friend. Ask that they keep you accountable. A good friend could check in with you a few times a week to see if you’ve read and how much you’ve read. Maybe you could launch a Bible study group between the two of you and read together once a week.

You could also work on memory verses with your kids.

One of the best ways to understand the Bible is to tell someone else about the Bible. The exercise of talking about what you’ve read and “re-playing” the passage with each retelling will help solidify concepts and ideas even after your reflection time. 

Share what you’re reading with someone who doesn’t know the Lord. It’s an easy way to talk about the gospel by simply sharing what you’re learning. How has it changed your life? How did what you encountered in your Bible reading change the course of your day? 

Don’t be afraid to ask someone else for help. The other person, if they’re a believer, may help you further understand what you’ve read. One person who would gladly help is a church pastor or elder. It’s what they are there for!

8. Use Bible-reading resources and take your time

Many people struggle with how to understand the Bible when reading it. I find the best way to read the Bible for better understanding is to make use of study Bibles, encyclopedias and commentaries.  

Many are free. In fact, Bible Gateway offers many free resources. I find that they help me understand difficult passages, and I often use more than one per passage. Thanks to the internet, these resources are available to all of us! Using encyclopedias and study Bibles is not only for the preacher or the pastor. Logos now offers an online subscription for their Bible software for a low monthly price.

You can also supplement your reading with resources like audio Bibles, Bible podcasts and YouTube videos. You can use Bible study books that cover a particular book of the Bible. 

Build in time to study using these external resources. The best way to understand the Bible is to spend time “in it” every day. Yes, in it! That means more than just reading the Bible passage at hand. It means venturing deeper to find what words and phrases mean using other resources. 

Take a look at Logos’ handy resource 12 Tips: How to Read the Bible Better for more helpful reading strategies you can use to understand what you’re reading during your reflection time. 

9. Participate in a reading plan

Reading plans provide the what and the how of your Bible reading, essentially doing the planning for you. This type of guided Bible reading is often topical or covers a theme, with the plan leading you through parts or books of the Bible that cover that specific topic. 

They’re often paired with a brief devotional message from the author to get your thoughts centered on the content.

Some reading plans include small passages to read each day, while others cover multiple chapters per day. If you’re new to reading plans, I would start with a short, 3-5 day reading plan and then work your way up to 7 days. 

This will help you get a sense for what you like, and if reading plans are a good fit for you. The days simply mark how long the plan could take. There’s no pressure to read everything in that timeframe.

I highly recommend Jesus Film Project’s and Cru’s reading plans on YouVersion’s Bible app. These are two of our latest (30-day plans):  

• Our newest reading plan, called Impulses for the Way: 30 Days on the Camino de Santiago, takes you on a faith-filled journey on the Camino de Santiago in Northern Spain. Through powerful videos, daily reflections and guided prayer, you’ll walk alongside the apostle James and explore what it means to follow Jesus. 
• Cru’s Win. Build. Send reading plan features stories to encourage you to grow in your faith and join God’s mission. Each day offers insight, encouragement and reflection questions. Whether you’re discovering your faith, growing deeper in it, or are ready to share it with others, this journey will inspire you to join God’s mission of multiplying disciples everywhere.

To access these reading plans and more, download the YouVersion app on your phone. Search “Jesus Film Project” for a full list of our reading plans or type in the topic or book of the Bible you’d like to work through in the search bar. 

10. Try a Bible-reading Challenge

Shake things up by challenging yourself to read more than you usually would––or explore books of the Bible you’ve previously skipped or put off. 

In Bible-reading challenges, your goal is to complete all the reading set out by the plan in the determined time, marking off your progress as you go. As you strive for success, you ultimately read more than you would otherwise. 

But the biggest win is that the more you read in your Bible, the fuller picture you have of God’s redemption story as you see it over and over across its pages. It’s further established in your heart and mind.

Bible scholars say that when repetition is implemented in the Bible––like “His love endures forever” in Psalm 136)––it means the writer is emphasizing its importance. Every time I discover Jesus showing up in the Old Testament (Genesis 28:16; Isaiah 7:14 are just two places out of many), I’m reminded of the magnitude of God’s love and care for me. There it is again—God always planned to redeem me through Jesus!

Final Thoughts

As always, the best advice I could give regarding anything in the Christian walk is this: Don’t do it alone. If you find you’re not making progress in getting the most out of your Bible reading, join a Bible study group in your church. If you’re already in one, be open about your struggles to understand.

If you’re far from a Bible study group run through your church, these days you can join a Bible study group online through organizations like Bible Study Fellowship. Check out their studies and try to find a group in your area! 

As a child, Bible reading was a burden, something I felt I had to do if I professed to be a Christian. Today I know better. My hope is that implementing these approaches will help make Bible-reading more appealing for you––less like a task you “have to do” and more like a life-giving activity we are privileged to do that draws us closer to the Father. It makes all the difference.

I pray you’re reminded of that every time you open your Bible and are able to get the most out of your reading. Can I challenge you this month to try one or two of the strategies in this post?