how to read bible verse example

The entire Bible revolves around Jesus as mankind's access to God. Sometimes I keep the verse with me throughout the day. That’s me. Try reading one book of the Bible in one sitting or over the period of several days, as they were designed to be read all at once. It will give you a track to follow. We all begin somewhere in our relationship with God. The table shows on what page number the first chapter of John lies. Helpful tips for reading the Bible: Use a translation that is easy to read. Translation names should not be abbreviated (e.g., write out King James Version instead of using KJV). Over 25 percent of the New Testament was written by the apostle Paul, and all of his letters fit into the narrative Luke provides in Acts. The Bible was originally written in Hebrew and Greek. These are my top suggestions for those wondering how to start reading the Bible. Many people read their Bible first thing in the morning, choosing to spend time with God before daily distractions get in the way. You may also pull out the verses regularly so you can read them and try to understand them better. This will help keep you focused and motivated. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. 40 Day Bible Reading Plan – easy way to get started. There are several different Bible reading plans available. % of people told us that this article helped them. Sometimes less is more, especially when reading less means you’ll actually remember more. She stood frozen, open-mouthed in front of the rows of Bibles in the religion section at Barnes and Noble. Be intentional about getting God’s Word into your thoughts and you’ll soon see your relationship with God thrive and your life change. In the morning, read through the five psalms with your verse in mind and let it be the theme of your meditation that day. Start small—five or 10 minutes is better than none. Getting God’s Word into your life doesn’t have to take long. For exa… Is this a poetic, meditative passage reflecting on pain and persecution? This can also broaden your faith and deepen your understanding of the Bible as a text. This book (the fourth book in the New Testament) is John’s eyewitness account of the life of Jesus. Look for Biblical types of Jesus in the Old Testament like Adam, Moses, and Joseph. The 27 books of the New Testament pick up the story beginning with the birth of Jesus. Genesis explains how everything began. She wanted to read the Bible; she hadn’t known there would be so many options. In the original Greek, “love” in this verse is agapaō which means good-will, to be fond of. Looking up a Verse by Number Identify the book of the verse. Reference the verse, then cite the book, chapter and verse number in the first in-text reference to the Bible. They make some big mistakes (sometimes on purpose). Some translations focus on being more precise and are best for Bible study, while others focus on readability and are great for devotions. These are great tools for beginners and veterans alike. For example, you may focus on a specific phrase like “I will fear no evil, for you are with me” to determine the key idea in the verses. Remember, the Bible is God’s Word; it is God’s love letter written to His people, which includes you. Notice any words … You may find it useful to pray often on the verses as you read the Bible. Chose a time and place that’s convenient for you. Most full-Bible reading plans focus on a year, which is a very reasonable amount of time to read through the Bible. It can be difficult to memorise the Bible. For example, if you are struggling with feelings of fear or doubt, you may read and reflect on verses that address these topics. That you read God’s Word is more important than when you read God’s Word. This is possible by locating the Bible's table of contents, usually found in the Bible's first pages. May I reach across the computer screen and help you, too? The Bible study resources are available across all Bible versions, so it doesn't matter which Bible version you select. When a verse resonates with you, stop and write it down, word for word. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Let’s look at a couple of examples: Look at Matthew 13 v 1 to 9 In this chapter we are presented with the parable of the sower. One of the earliest translations to English was the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible, but today we have a variety of versions to choose from. Another example of the Bible explaining it self is found in the prophecy of Isaiah. If you’re new to the Bible, the best place to start is the Gospel of John. Observation. For example, if you are reading verses that describe the details and events of Jesus’ birth in the book of Luke, you would be looking at prose. Jeremiah 29:13 says, “You will seek me and find Me, if you seek Me with all your heart.” God loves to reveal himself to those who seek Him. The Bible includes a lot of poetry, for example, and in order to understand a poem we must have a basic awareness of how poetry communicates. This may be useful if you are new to reading the Bible and would like to make understanding the sequence of events in the text easier. The 39 books of the Old Testament are the story of God and his people before the coming of the Messiah—Jesus. As you read … The Bible does have some heroes in it, but (as you’ll soon find out) most of the people in the Bible aren’t heroes at all. You can also bring the verses to a Bible study group so you can share them with others and reflect on them together. On the radio I use this simple rule to help me answer the majority of Bible questions I’m asked, even when I’m not familiar with the particular passage. It is my prayer that this beginner's guide to reading the Bible will encourage you and help you reach your goals! Pause to let the message sink in because these words are God’s words to you. The NLT version of the Bible is most readable while still being literal in its translation; the Study Bibles contain footnotes that explain difficult to understand passages of Scripture. You can try audio version of the Bible or maintain a diary or write and remember the chapters and verse correctly. There are 15 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. First, I encourage you to start, even on a modified and very small level. Unless the context seems to require it, it is not necessary to use an ellipsis (…) before or after a quoted portion of a Scripture verse. Let us know in the comments below how you've been able to begin reading the Bible and what is has done for you! return to earth. Good News Translation. The whole Bible is arranged into 365 daily readings, including an Old Testament passage, a New Testament passage, and a Psalm or Proverb for each day. Her facial expression said it all: I have no idea where to start reading the Bible. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Maybe they speak to an issue you’ve been grappling with; maybe they answer a long held question; maybe they give you comfort or encouragement; maybe they provide an example to follow or avoid. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. For example, I may read “For God so loved the world” in John 3:16. No, the Bible isn’t a book of rules, or a book of heroes. Bible Verses About Forgiveness - Read passages that offer biblical guidance on forgiveness and how important it is to forgive others as we have been forgiven by the blood of Christ. This can deepen your spiritual practice and make you feel closer to God as you read. Listening to audio recordings may deepen your understanding of the verses and experience them as they were originally intended. How to read the Bible: Read a little every day! Article Images Copyright ©, How to Read the Bible: The Beginner's Guide to Reading the Bible, 'Better Is One Day in Your Courts' Hopeful Meaning Behind the Verse in Psalm 84:10, California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. After few days, I forget though. Psalms is filled with heartfelt prayers that offer encouragement for every season of life. References. What does this teach me about how I should live. Reading Paul’s epistles as we read alongside his missionary journeys can give us a new appreciation for his relationship to these churches and their backstory. Psalm 119:103-105 “ How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! At times they are downright mean. Abbreviate the name of the book and add a period if it is long – for example, abbreviate “Ezekiel” to “Ezek.” Add the chapter number, followed by a colon, and verse number. Then close your Bible, and be sure to make that your last waking thought. Don’t take scripture verses out of context. Add the version of the Bible … Read Multiple Translations. Sometimes I memorize it. I always recommend starting with a translation that is more literal (word … For example, if you want to study John 3, look it up using Bible Gateway's search feature. No doubt, as you read you’ll find one or two verses that seem to leap off the page. Reading the Epistles with Acts. Here are some interesting facts about the Bible: • The Bible contains 66 books: 39 in the Old Testament and 27 in the New Testament. Though I’d grown up in the church and had earned my share of Scripture memory badges in Sunday School, I was an adult before I realized I didn’t actually understand much of the Bible. Is this a story or a letter? Sometimes, simply reading and praying on the verses can be a big help. Instead of reading single verses, read the entire chapter so that you can know what the verse means in context. The Bible contains 66 separate books compiled into one book. Once you have been assigned a pas… And we all need someone to show us how. It’s been years since I encountered the gal at Barnes and Noble but when I think of her, I smile. All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published, This article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. “When thinking about the original audience,” Hunter and Wellum explain, “we should distinguish the original characters in the story from the original readers, those who were reading Scripture about those characters” (47). Analyze the verses by reading them aloud and identify any questions or ideas raised. She looked even more relieved when I showed her where and how to start reading the Bible. Pause before you open your Bible and ask God to speak to you. Maybe, even now, you’re shaking your head in agreement, thinking, Yes. When Bible verses are listed, the first … Getting God’s Word into your life doesn’t have to take … Meditate on the Bible. 5) The fifth suggestion is to use a Bible reading plan. Will I Still Be Married to My Spouse in Heaven? John’s purpose in writing is to help us believe, making it the ideal place to start. My mind naturally thinks of “love” as affectionate or romantic, but that’s not what this verse means. You can also select verses to study based on your interests. Already installed on over 450 million unique devices all over the world, the Bible App offers a free Bible experience for smartphones, tablets, and online at Bible.com. There are many plans available to help with reading the Bible in a year, where passages are assigned for each day of the year. Did you know: Originally, the Bible was written in … Listen to how the verses sound. For example, if you are trying to find Proverbs 31:25-27, you would look in the book of Proverbs for chapter 31, verse 25-27. Work your way through one book at a time, and you’ll never find yourself fumbling for where to read again. This daily Bible reading plan will give you all the benefits of a steady diet of God's Word as you read through Scripture in a year. For example, locating John 3:16 requires the reader to first find the book of John in the Bible. You may then ask questions about the phrase, such as “Who is the ‘you’ and the ‘me’ in the phrase?” “What does this phrase say about my relationship to God?” “What evils do I fear or worry about in my life?”. Bible Engager’s Blog. Read the Bible 2. In order to read a passage well, you first need to understand it. “These things were written to help you believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name” (John 20:31). I rounded the corner and saw her. Instead, always read a paragraph—at least. For example, (John 3:16, New International Version). For example, historical books of the Bible clearly are meant to be taken literally as real, accurate history. Analyzing the Verses Read the Bible verses aloud. There are four steps to mastering the Bible so well that the Bible masters you: 1. They get afraid and run away. Jesus Christ can be seen in every book of the Bible. So get a good Catholic Bible with great indexed footnotes. Learn more... Reading verses in the Bible is a great way to enrich your spiritual practice and learn more about the teachings of God and Jesus. This site is a proud member of the Salem Web Network, a subsidiary of, Copyright © 2020, Crosswalk.com. Next to each reference is a short phrase from the verse containing the word. Concept #2: The Biblical literature contains a wide spectrum of literary styles that should be taken into account when trying to read and understand it. Scared of messing up your first relationship? Many books in the Bible, such as the Letters from Paul, were originally read aloud to a congregation, rather than written down. This article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. You may try picking Bible verses at random to read and analyze once a day so you can spend more time with the Bible. If you wake up during the night, think about the verse. Look at Isaiah 14 v 12 Sometimes I meditate on the Bible verse. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. For example, in the concordance of the NIV Study Bible, below the word warrior are the references Exodus 15:3; 1 Chronicles 28:3; and Proverbs 16:32. If you keep on reading, starting at verse 18, you ˜nd that you are giv en a complete explanation of the parable. A popular Bible version for children and those who are still trying to learn … Ask Him to use His Word to help you know Him and love Him. Citations in the APA style add the translation of the Bible after the verse. Romans 3:23; 10:9; Ephesians 2:8,10). This article has been viewed 17,032 times. And if studying the Bible doesn’t make you a more loving, kind, and gentle person, then you are doing something wrong. The Bible was never meant to merely inform us; the Bible was meant to transform us. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/f9\/Read-Bible-Verses-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Read-Bible-Verses-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/f9\/Read-Bible-Verses-Step-1.jpg\/aid9490644-v4-728px-Read-Bible-Verses-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"