As a born-again Christian, a believer, and a child of God, I’ve come to realize that reading the Bible though essential can sometimes feel like a struggle. There are days when we genuinely want to draw closer to God, yet we find it hard to open His Word. Life gets busy. Our minds wander. We don’t know where to start. And sometimes, if we’re honest, we just don’t feel that connection.
It’s easy to forget that the Bible is not just another religious book or a collection of old stories. It is alive. It is the voice of God, speaking into our present lives. These are the very words that God has given us to know Him better, to understand His heart, and to walk in His truth.
Jesus Himself said in John 5:39 that the Scriptures point to Him and as believers, this should stir something within us.
But let’s also be real: sometimes, opening the Bible feels like a task rather than a delight. That’s why it’s so important to return to the heart of it all. Reading the Bible should not be a duty driven by guilt or pressure. It should be a response to a deep and sincere desire to seek God to know His voice, His will, and His ways.
This is for anyone who’s ever felt overwhelmed by the idea of reading the Bible or unsure of how to begin. Whether you’ve tried and stopped, or you’re picking it up for the first time, I want you to know that you’re not alone. We all start somewhere. The most important thing is that we start with an open heart and a willingness to grow.
So now that your heart is open and you’re ready to begin, the question is how? How do you actually start reading the Bible in a way that’s meaningful, not just mechanical?
Here are 7 gentle and honest guide on how to start reading the Bible
Open Your Heart to Learn
Psalm 119:18 (NIV)
“Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.”
Proverbs 1:7 (NIV)
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”
Before opening the Bible, position your heart to be teachable. Ask God to help you see what He wants to show you.
Start by Studying About Jesus
John 1:1 (NIV)
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”
John 5:39 (NIV)
“You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me.”
The life and teachings of Jesus are central to the Bible. Starting with the Gospels helps you know the heart of God through His Son.
Tell the Holy Spirit to Help You Understand
“But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.”
John 14:26 (NIV)
“When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth.”
John 16:13 (ESV)
We need the Holy Spirit to help us understand, remember, and apply the Word of God.
Take a Few Points and Jot Them Down
Habakkuk 2:2 (NIV)
“Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it.
Luke 2:19 (NIV)
“But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.”
Writing helps you process what God is saying. Treasuring His Word helps you hold onto it longer.
Allow Everything to Sink In,Don’t Be in a Rush
Psalm 1:1–2 (NIV)
“Blessed is the one… whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night.”
Psalm 46:10 (NIV)
“Be still, and know that I am God.”
Slowing down allows the Word to go deep. Meditation leads to transformation, not just information.
Study with the Mindset That You Want to Know God
Jeremiah 29:13 (NIV)
“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”
John 17:3 (NIV)
“Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.”
The Bible is God’s invitation to know Him. That should be your deepest reason for reading it.
End with a Closing Prayer
James 1:22 (NIV)
“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.”
Psalm 19:14 (ESV)
“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.”
Prayer after reading helps seal what God has shown you. It turns reading into communion with Him.
Words of advice
The Holy Spirit is always ready to help you understand the Word of God because the Word is meant to bear fruit in your daily life.
Galatians 5:22–23 (NIV)
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control…”
He doesn’t just want you to read and forget. He wants you to grow. When you invite Him in, He brings the Word alive in ways that change your thoughts, your choices, and even your character.
Conclusion
You study the Bible with the deep understanding that you are made in the image of God. This truth changes everything.
When you open the Word, you’re not just reading stories, you’re discovering your identity, your purpose, and your place in God’s heart. The more you study the Bible, the more you begin to see God clearly and the more you begin to see yourself the way He sees you. So don’t hold back. Open your heart, open your Bible, and step into the truth that you were created to reflect His image.
