Bible 101: Tips for Reading and Living the Word

By: Molly Kreikemeier, Madi Dunning, Lila Lowery, Gracie Brennan, and Poppy Varley

Have you been struggling to find faith in your life, dreaming to be saved, seeking to understand the word of God, or simply just don’t know where to start? Don’t worry, we’ve got you. Life can be difficult and choices are hard, but oftentimes turning to the Bible and God for guidance can be the solution we need. Here are some quick tips and tricks to get our journey to faith going.

“3 Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of the prophecy, and blessed are those who hear and who keep what is written in it; for the time is near” (Revelation 1:3). This verse from Revelation reminds us of the importance and urgency of engaging with God’s word. It emphasizes that blessings come not just from reading, but from truly hearing and keeping the teachings. 

1. Don’t Read Just Verses, But Whole Passages: We find that when we are reading just a single verse, we lack the context needed to fully understand what message God is trying to send us. Reading entire passages helps us see the bigger picture and grasp the full meaning.

2. Use Commentaries and Footnotes to Our Advantage: Just as when we are struggling to understand a chapter in a book or the plot of a musical we are seeing, sometimes reading a synopsis can help us better understand the message that was intended to be conveyed. By reading commentaries done by scholars who have studied theology, we are more likely to better understand and convey the message that is being sent.

3. Listen to a Podcast: Sometimes I find it hard to sit and read for long periods of time, so I find listening to a podcast to be a simple solution. Listening to the podcast can also ensure we are engaging with the Bible often because we can complete other tasks while listening. For instance, Father Mike Schmitz’s “Bible in a Year” is a great podcast to start our journey.

4. Find a Christian Community: Having a Christian community can be helpful to encourage reading the Bible and allow other insights to be heard about the same Bible verse. The Christian community makes reading more engaging and provides support and different perspectives, which can deepen our understanding and commitment.

5. Use Highlighters or Colored Pens: Highlighting or underlining key verses can help you remember important messages and make it easier to find them later. You can even use different colors for themes or topics!

6.  Make Sticky Notes: A lot of times when I feel there is a message that I really need to hear, I will write it down on a sticky note and stick it to my mirror as a constant reminder of what God says.

7. Take Notes: Writing down your thoughts, questions, or reflections while you read can really help deepen your understanding. It can often make you feel like you are having a conversation with God. 

8. Set a Regular Reading Schedule: Consistency is key! Whether it’s daily or a few times a week, setting aside time to read can help make it a habit.

9. Ask Questions: Don’t be afraid to ask questions about what you’re reading. It can be helpful to discuss these with someone in your community or look them up.

10.  Pray Before and After Reading: Starting and ending your reading time with prayer can help center your thoughts and make the experience more meaningful.

11.  Apply What You Read: After reading a passage, think about how you can apply its teachings to your daily life. For example, if you read about kindness, look for ways to be kind to others throughout your day.

These steps can help you integrate the Bible's teachings into your everyday actions and decisions. We can’t wait to see others pick up their Bible’s and follow God! We challenge you today to read at least one passage of scripture using our tips.