Are you struggling to read your Bible? Have you attempted to read it and failed, because you just don’t know where to begin?  Does the Bible seem overwhelming to you? Well, don’t worry. You are not alone.  I’ve listed 5 tips that may help you when reading your word.

1. Before I read my Bible, I always make sure to pray.  I pray that God gives me an understanding of his word, and I also pray hear his voice.  Praying before reading, helps me to truly focus in on the message that is being relayed through the word.

2. I read from a study bible.  I find that it’s a little overwhelming to read the bible when the language is unfamiliar.  Reading from a study bible can help, because it breaks down each verse and provides another perspective on the word.  I also like reading from a study bible, because there’s usually background information that’s provided before each of the books, and it helps me paint of picture of what to expect within the book that I’m reading.

3. Find a bible version that is right for you.  Growing up, I was told that the KJV (King James Version) was the best version to read.  When I started reading on my own, I found that the KJV was great, but it wasn’t right for me.  It took me a while to find the version that made the most sense to me, but when I did, I found that it helped me understand each verse and book a lot more.  The study bible that I currently use is the NIV (New International Version).

4. Find a reading plan.  There’s a lot of reading plans that can be purchased, or for free.  I love reading from a plan, because it’s based on a specific topic, and the verses are related to that topic.  I also like plans, because there’s exercises that are helpful, or thoughts that I can think about for the remainder of the week. Plans are great, because the topics are endless, and they cause you to think and ponder on the word longer.

5. Read in portions and take notes.  I like to read my Bible by the chapter. I find that once I start reading a verse, I can’t stop and I want to read more. The Bible is huge and can be intimidating to some, so I suggest reading it in portions (by verse or chapter).  I like to read each chapter, take notes, and reflect on what I just read.  Taking notes is important, because it allows you to reflect and retain the information longer.  I love taking notes, because it helps me to remember the lesson, and think about it for the week.

I know that reading the Bible can be somewhat overwhelming and intimidating, but I encourage you to take your time (it’s not a race), and find a method that works best for you.  Remember to always pray, and trust that God will lead the way.

Xo, Ikea Alexis

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