The Bible is the most important book you will ever read. It is the inspired Word of God, meant to teach, correct, guide, and equip every believer (2 Timothy 3:16-17). More valuable than riches or wisdom, the Bible reveals who God is, what He has done, and what He calls us to believe and do. Psalm 119:96 says, “I have seen an end of all perfection: but thy commandment is exceeding broad.” This guide will help you take your first steps in reading the Bible confidently, regularly, and effectively.

Step 1: Learn How to Navigate the Bible

1. Understand Chapters and Verses:
The Bible is divided into books, chapters, and verses. These divisions were added for convenience and make it easier to find specific passages.

2. Know the Structure:

• The Bible contains 66 books: 39 in the Old Testament and 27 in the New Testament.

• The Old Testament is about 75% of the Bible; the New Testament about 25%.

• Books are grouped by type: Law, History, Wisdom, Prophets, Gospels, Epistles, and more.

3. Practice Finding Scriptures:
Get familiar with turning to different books and verses.

• Follow along in your Bible during sermons.

• Look up all verses given in Bible studies.

• Memorize the order of the books and practice finding them quickly.

Step 2: Build Strong Daily Reading Habits

1. Read Every Day:
Like the Israelites gathered manna daily in the wilderness (Exodus 16:4), so should we gather spiritual nourishment daily through God’s Word. Do not skip days. God speaks daily through His Word.

2. Read in the Morning:
The best time to read is early in the day, when your mind is fresh (Exodus 16:21). Make Bible reading one of the first things you do after waking up.

3. Read a Set Amount:
Set a goal based on how often you want to read the Bible each year.
Example:

• One time per year: about 3-4 chapters or 15 minutes daily.

• Three times per year: about 10 pages per day (based on your Bible's page count).
  Use this formula:
  (Total pages in Bible × times through per year) ÷ 365 = pages per day

Step 3: Use Practical Reading Tools

1. Read to Read:
Don’t get stuck trying to understand every detail. Read continuously, even through difficult parts. Focus on becoming familiar with the flow and content. Understanding comes more clearly over time.

2. Take Notes as You Read:
Underline, highlight, write comments, or add question marks next to verses. Keep a notebook for verses that stand out or questions you want to ask at church (Jeremiah 23:18).

3. Read Out Loud:
Reading aloud helps with memory, pronunciation, and focus (Psalm 119:13). Try reading along with an audio Bible, especially a KJV version, to improve your pace and accuracy.

Starting your Bible reading journey may seem overwhelming at first, but with prayer, discipline, and patience, it will become the most meaningful part of your daily life. Keep going. God honors every effort to seek Him in His Word. Whether you understand everything or not, the Word of God will not return void.