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How To Read + Understand The Bible
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Hey everyone,
I figured I would post a list of helpful suggestions for those looking to understand the Bible and Christianity better. These suggestions are widely believed among many Christian denominations and churches.
1.) Understand that Christians believe the entire Bible is God's very words. This means that if we believe in Jesus, we can also trust that the entire Bible is what he gave to us to understand who God is, the history of God's people, and what God expects of us now. The Holy Spirit guided people to write and put together the Bible over many centuries, and it has been completed for over a thousand years. That means the Bible you read today was read by people over a thousand years ago.
2.) We believe 'God the Father', 'Jesus' and the 'Holy Spirit' are all God. This is called "the Trinity". While the Trinity can be difficult to understand, the reality is that the Bible teaches it in many places. So we as Christians believe it, knowing that some things are beyond our understanding, because we believe God and the Bible.
3.) Jesus' words are the most important part of the Bible, and thus are the place where people should start. While the entire Bible is God's words, someone new to Christianity or exploring Christianity should start reading the Bible with Jesus words, because Jesus is what the entire Bible is pointing to and was looking forward to. Jesus alone is Saviour. In some Bibles Jesus' words are in red in order to show people this truth. In some cases God may lead people to other parts of the Bible to start, but this is still a good general rule.
4.) Jesus often spoke in something called 'parables'. These are illustrated lessons taught in order to teach people deeper truths. Some of them can be difficult to understand, but they are very rich in meaning once understood. It is good not to expect to understand everything immediately. There are also times where Jesus spoke literally. It takes time, wisdom and patience to be able to tell the difference. You can ask God at any time to lead you into truth, or try on your own to understand to the best of your ability. God knows our hearts and thoughts and he will lead.
5.) There are many different translations of the Bible, but the differences between the most common ones is very little and does not take away from it being God's truth. In fact, the Bible has the most early manuscripts than any other book in existence, and we can compare the Bibles we have with the early manuscripts and see clearly that they line up. It is important you choose a Bible translation that you can understand and that you don't struggle to read.
6.) While looking online and on your own is good, Christianity is a religion that highly values community. Pastors and leaders in local churches can help guide you to understand the Bible from their many years of experience and knowledge. It is important to find a good, Bible-teaching church, which I will go into detail in the next paragraph.
7.) When looking for a church to attend, if you decide on that step, it is best to research churches that most align with what the Bible teaches. Google can help with this, or sites that have useful Christian information and answers. Many churches also now have online services so you can actually listen to a service prior to attending in person. There are many different church denominations out there, but don't let that discourage or confuse you, just take your time and do some solid research.
And finally, it is important to know what the Bible and Christianity is all about:
In the beginning of creation, in a place called the Garden of Eden, God's first created people - Adam and Eve, chose to rebel against God. Rebelling against what God wants for us is called sin. Sin can seem appealing, but in the end it always leaves us feeling empty and our lives messier. This is because God created us and knows what is best for us. Since that time all humans have sinned throughout their lives and passed on our sinful tendencies.
Because God is holy, he can't ignore sin. We cannot enter Heaven still living willfully in sin, because then Heaven would be full of people hurting one another. Jesus came to save us from this. Jesus was born miraculously of the virgin Mary, did many miracles and amazing things throughout his life, never sinned, and taught people about God. He was crucified on a cross by his enemies, died, but then three days later he rose again to prove he holds the victory over death.
If we admit to God we are sinful, that we are imperfect people, and we trust that Jesus died and rose again to forgive us and free us from our sins, we will receive the free gift of eternal life and an everlasting relationship with God as his children. Those who believe in Jesus have the guarantee of Heaven, and will escape God's eternal anger. We are not perfect after believing, just saved, forgiven and transformed. Salvation is a completely free gift by God's grace and God desires all humanity receive it because he loves us more than anything. But we must receive it by faith.
May God bless you on your journey.
John 3:14-16(ESV):
"And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life."
I figured I would post a list of helpful suggestions for those looking to understand the Bible and Christianity better. These suggestions are widely believed among many Christian denominations and churches.
1.) Understand that Christians believe the entire Bible is God's very words. This means that if we believe in Jesus, we can also trust that the entire Bible is what he gave to us to understand who God is, the history of God's people, and what God expects of us now. The Holy Spirit guided people to write and put together the Bible over many centuries, and it has been completed for over a thousand years. That means the Bible you read today was read by people over a thousand years ago.
2.) We believe 'God the Father', 'Jesus' and the 'Holy Spirit' are all God. This is called "the Trinity". While the Trinity can be difficult to understand, the reality is that the Bible teaches it in many places. So we as Christians believe it, knowing that some things are beyond our understanding, because we believe God and the Bible.
3.) Jesus' words are the most important part of the Bible, and thus are the place where people should start. While the entire Bible is God's words, someone new to Christianity or exploring Christianity should start reading the Bible with Jesus words, because Jesus is what the entire Bible is pointing to and was looking forward to. Jesus alone is Saviour. In some Bibles Jesus' words are in red in order to show people this truth. In some cases God may lead people to other parts of the Bible to start, but this is still a good general rule.
4.) Jesus often spoke in something called 'parables'. These are illustrated lessons taught in order to teach people deeper truths. Some of them can be difficult to understand, but they are very rich in meaning once understood. It is good not to expect to understand everything immediately. There are also times where Jesus spoke literally. It takes time, wisdom and patience to be able to tell the difference. You can ask God at any time to lead you into truth, or try on your own to understand to the best of your ability. God knows our hearts and thoughts and he will lead.
5.) There are many different translations of the Bible, but the differences between the most common ones is very little and does not take away from it being God's truth. In fact, the Bible has the most early manuscripts than any other book in existence, and we can compare the Bibles we have with the early manuscripts and see clearly that they line up. It is important you choose a Bible translation that you can understand and that you don't struggle to read.
6.) While looking online and on your own is good, Christianity is a religion that highly values community. Pastors and leaders in local churches can help guide you to understand the Bible from their many years of experience and knowledge. It is important to find a good, Bible-teaching church, which I will go into detail in the next paragraph.
7.) When looking for a church to attend, if you decide on that step, it is best to research churches that most align with what the Bible teaches. Google can help with this, or sites that have useful Christian information and answers. Many churches also now have online services so you can actually listen to a service prior to attending in person. There are many different church denominations out there, but don't let that discourage or confuse you, just take your time and do some solid research.
And finally, it is important to know what the Bible and Christianity is all about:
In the beginning of creation, in a place called the Garden of Eden, God's first created people - Adam and Eve, chose to rebel against God. Rebelling against what God wants for us is called sin. Sin can seem appealing, but in the end it always leaves us feeling empty and our lives messier. This is because God created us and knows what is best for us. Since that time all humans have sinned throughout their lives and passed on our sinful tendencies.
Because God is holy, he can't ignore sin. We cannot enter Heaven still living willfully in sin, because then Heaven would be full of people hurting one another. Jesus came to save us from this. Jesus was born miraculously of the virgin Mary, did many miracles and amazing things throughout his life, never sinned, and taught people about God. He was crucified on a cross by his enemies, died, but then three days later he rose again to prove he holds the victory over death.
If we admit to God we are sinful, that we are imperfect people, and we trust that Jesus died and rose again to forgive us and free us from our sins, we will receive the free gift of eternal life and an everlasting relationship with God as his children. Those who believe in Jesus have the guarantee of Heaven, and will escape God's eternal anger. We are not perfect after believing, just saved, forgiven and transformed. Salvation is a completely free gift by God's grace and God desires all humanity receive it because he loves us more than anything. But we must receive it by faith.
May God bless you on your journey.
John 3:14-16(ESV):
"And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life."
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2026-07-20