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If you are like many people, you pick up the Bible to read every once in a while, but you don’t seem to get much out of it. You have trouble understanding HUGE sections of it, but you just can’t take the time to go to Bible college. Are you stuck in a cycle of trying to do the right thing by reading, but continually not understanding it? No way! In this article I will share some helpful tips that will allow you to begin reading the Bible with understanding instead of confusion.

First, remember that there are different rules for each type of literature found in the Bible. For instance, you wouldn’t read the New York Times the same way you would read a love poem by your spouse would you? This is exactly how it works with the Bible. As an example, the Psalms are songs of ancient praise to God. They are like song or poetry. They are meant to be read with emotion. However, the book of I Kings is a book about the historical kingdom of the ancient Israelites. Read the former like a love poem and the later like history. It’s really that simple. Everything in Scripture is true, but the way it is written can differ drastically.

Now, make sure that you read everything in the right context. Don’t just pick a verse here or there. If you read consistently, the Bible answers most of the questions it asks or prompts in the reader. This is true especially of the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. If you get confused, just keep reading. A solution or clue is usually right around the corner in the next chapter or section.

Make absolutely sure that you have a modern translation of the Bible to read. It is essential that you not get caught up dealing with words that you have trouble understanding. the NLT, New Living Translation, or NIV, New International Version, are both great versions that provide up to date, readable translations of the scriptures.

Ok, now begin to read. Pick one of the Gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke or John, it doesn’t really matter which one. As you begin to read it, ask yourself these simple questions.

1) What is God communicating to the people in the story?

2) How are the people in the story responding to God?

3) How does God react or respond to the people based on their reaction to him?

4) Now apply it to yourself. Ask yourself, “Am I like or dislike the people in the story and is that a good or a bad thing?”

As you consider your answers, have a journal or pad of paper to write on and a pen handy. Write down your thoughts, questions and comments about these questions. When you do this, you will find yourself digging into the story in brand new ways. This will lead you to thinking about your life situation and whether you are obeying God.

After you are done with this, to give you some variety, turn to the middle of your Bible and open to the book of Proverbs. Read one Proverb a day, corresponding to the day of the month. For instance, if the date is the 15th of the month, read Proverbs chapter 15. The Proverbs provide countless gems of wisdom for modern believers. However, always remember that the Proverbs were not written to be specific promises that we can rely on 100 percent of the time, but rather general life statements that usually turn out to be true, all things being equal. If you see the general wisdom of each Proverb, you will grow in your understanding of that type of wisdom literature in the Bible.

As you begin to impliment these steps, you will quickly begin to understand much larger portions of the Bible. Try this for thirty days and see what happens.

Countless people pick up their Bible because they know they are supposed to read it, but they just don’t get much out of it. You may be one of them. Are there large portions of the Bible that you just don’t seem to understand, or just aren’t interesting to you? Do you try to read the Bible but get stuck or bored? Are you in an endless cycle of trying to begin reading the Bible consistently, but failing over and over? Don’t worry. In this article I am going to provide you with a few simple tips that will allow you to read the Bible with understanding instead of frustration.

First, remember that each section of the Bible has different rules for reading based on the differing types of literature in it. You would never read a love poem like you do the Wall Street Journal. It’s the same with the Bible. The Psalms are ancient songs of praise to God. You don’t read them like you read the book of I Samuel, which is a historical book about ancient Isreal. So for starters, if it’s history, read it like a historical account. But if it is poetry or “wisdom writings” (like the Proverbs) then treat it accordingly. Everything in the Bible is true, but the writing style can differ drastically.

Next, make sure that you read everything in context. the Bible often answers a lot of its own questions for you. Especially in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark Luke and John. If something confuses you, just keep reading. A solution or clue will usually be mentioned by the author of the book within the same chapter or section.

Always make absolutely certain that you have a readable translation of the Bible. It is very important that you don’t get tripped up dealing with words that are hard to understand. Two very readable modern translations are the NLT, New Living Translation, and the NIV, New International Version. These both provide great, reliable modern translations.

Ok, now, go ahead and pick a Gospel, it doesn’t matter which one you choose. Begin to read it while asking yourself these few questions.

1) What is God saying or communicating to the people?

2) How are the people receiving what God is doing?

3) How is God responding to how the are reacting toward him?

4) Now ask yourself, Am I like or dislike the people in the passage and is that a good or a bad thing?

As you ask yourself these questions, be ready with paper and something to write with to journal your thoughts, questions and comments about the passage. You will find yourself looking deeper into the text as you discover what God is saying and how the passage portrays the reaction people give to God. Then, you can chart your own thoughts about your current life situation and how your relationship with God is doing.

After you are done with this, to give you some variety, turn to the middle of your Bible and open to the book of Proverbs. Read one Proverb a day, corresponding to the day of the month. For instance, if the date is the 15th of the month, read Proverbs chapter 15. The Proverbs provide countless gems of wisdom for modern believers. However, always remember that the Proverbs were not written to be specific promises that we can rely on 100 percent of the time, but rather general life statements that usually turn out to be true, all things being equal. If you see the general wisdom of each Proverb, you will grow in your understanding of that type of wisdom literature in the Bible.

As you begin to impliment these steps, you will quickly begin to understand much larger portions of the Bible. Try this for thirty days and see what happens.

Countless people pick up their Bible because they know they are supposed to read it, but they just don’t get much out of it. You may be one of them. Are there large portions of the Bible that you just don’t seem to understand, or just aren’t interesting to you? Do you try to read the Bible but get stuck or bored? Are you in an endless cycle of trying to begin reading the Bible consistently, but failing over and over? Don’t worry. In this article I am going to provide you with a few simple tips that will allow you to read the Bible with understanding instead of frustration.

First, remember that there are different rules for each type of literature found in the Bible. For instance, you wouldn’t read the New York Times the same way you would read a love poem by your spouse would you? This is exactly how it works with the Bible. As an example, the Psalms are songs of ancient praise to God. They are like song or poetry. They are meant to be read with emotion. However, the book of I Kings is a book about the historical kingdom of the ancient Israelites. Read the former like a love poem and the later like history. It’s really that simple. Everything in Scripture is true, but the way it is written can differ drastically.

Next, make sure that you read everything in context. the Bible often answers a lot of its own questions for you. Especially in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark Luke and John. If something confuses you, just keep reading. A solution or clue will usually be mentioned by the author of the book within the same chapter or section.

Always make absolutely certain that you have a readable translation of the Bible. It is very important that you don’t get tripped up dealing with words that are hard to understand. Two very readable modern translations are the NLT, New Living Translation, and the NIV, New International Version. These both provide great, reliable modern translations.

Ok, now begin to read. Pick one of the Gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke or John, it doesn’t really matter which one. As you begin to read it, ask yourself these simple questions.

1) What is God saying to the people?

2) How are the people responding to him?

3) How does God treat the people based on their reaction to him?

4) Now apply it to yourself. Ask yourself, “Am I like or dislike the people in the story and is that a good or a bad thing?”

As you ask yourself these questions, be ready with paper and something to write with to journal your thoughts, questions and comments about the passage. You will find yourself looking deeper into the text as you discover what God is saying and how the passage portrays the reaction people give to God. Then, you can chart your own thoughts about your current life situation and how your relationship with God is doing.

Once you have accomplished this, in order to mix it up a bit, turn to the book of Proverbs, near the middle of your Bible. Begin to read just one chapter of Proverbs a day, whatever chapter corresponds to that day of the month. As an example, if the day is the 16th of the month, read Proverbs chapter 16. Each Proverb gives us many nuggets of great wisdom for today. But be careful, the Proverbs weren’t written to give us specific life promises that must come true for us. They were written as general life wisdom that usually turns out to be right under equal circumstances. If you see the general truth and wisdom of each specific Proverb, you will start to grow in your own wisdom.

As you begin to impliment these steps, you will quickly begin to understand much larger portions of the Bible. Try this for thirty days and see what happens.