How to Start Reading the Bible

The Bible, commonly referred to as God’s Word or Scripture, is our guidebook as Christ followers and is a key component to help us walk closer with Jesus. While it doesn’t answer all of our questions, it does provide direction to us about who God is, how to be in relationship with others, how to live with purpose, and how to receive eternal life.

One of the most daunting things we can be told is that we should read it more. But we can learn some powerful truths about the Bible, and that will encourage us to make it a part of our daily routine.

How to Start Reading the Bible – YouTube

How to Start Reading the Bible – Bible Plan

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I just got Verse of the Day. Now what?

Person using Verse of the Day on phone

God has breathed life into all of Scripture. It is useful for teaching us what is true. It is useful for correcting our mistakes. It is useful for making our lives whole again. It is useful for training us to do what is right.

2 TIMOTHY 3:16

Many of us at YouVersion approach our daily devotional time with the Bible in three simple steps:

1. Receive.

Prepare your mind to understand what God wants for you, and open your heart to welcome His instruction. Try praying something like this:

Father, thank you for your Word. Please help me hear what your Spirit wants to say to me through it. And please show me where I can apply it in my life. Thank you, Lord. Amen.

2. Reflect.

Don’t just skim over the passage and move on. Really read it, carefully. Need help understanding? Just tap the verse to open it in the Bible App, where you’ll be able to:

Compare this verse in different Bible versions.

Read it in the context of its full chapter.

Listen to it in audio.

Even share it with others and get their thoughts.

3. Respond.

Once you’ve really listened to God’s Word, next let it speak to you. Think about what it means to your life. What should you do differently? Is there something you should stop? Maybe there’s something you could start. This is where life transformation happens.

Obey God’s message! Don’t fool yourselves by just listening to it. If you hear the message and don’t obey it, you are like people who stare at themselves in a mirror and forget what they look like as soon as they leave.

JAMES 1:22-24


4. Bonus! Start a Plan.

Verse of the Day is a terrific way to connect with God’s word. For your next step, consider a Bible Plan.

Plans give you a manageable portion of Scripture to read each day, along with devotional content that helps you reflect on what it means in your everyday life. We have Plans for almost every season of life, on almost any topic you might be interested in.

Discover Plans

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Your best self starts now.

2019

Want to see your life transformed in 2019? It takes just one tiny habit. Start doing this one small thing, consistently, once a day.

Start one of these Plans, right now.

Bible in One Year 2019

Start a Plan and read the first day. Then off and on today, reflect on what today’s reading means to you.

The New You

That’s all it takes to start.

Help Me Grow My Leadership Capacity

Take each day’s reading one day at a time. Over time, those few minutes a day will add up.

Start Here | First Steps With Jesus

You might miss a day here and there.

GOD + GOALS: How To Set Goals As A Christian

That’s okay. The next day, just pick up wherever you left off. We’ll be there, every day.

God, Where Are You?!

Seriously, start now.

Go Do Say Give: The Freedom Of Surrender To Jesus

See More Plans


Streaks

Put God’s Word first.

Streaks help you build a habit, by showing you how many days in a row you use the Bible App. And if it looks like you might miss a day, the Bible App can send you a reminder. Streaks even reward you with special mini celebrations when you achieve new milestones.

“I love Streaks! My goal is to read the Bible every day… This impacts every aspect of my life: how I parent, how I run my business, and how I serve my church! Everything changes when He is my first!”

BIBI S.

Look for Streaks in your Home Feed, and start building your daily Bible habit this year!

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“Ok Google…” 💬 “Alexa…”

Family of Devices

For your family of devices…

Are you reading this on a new device you just got for Christmas? Tap below to install the apps that will help you get the most from it: Bible App, Bible Lens, and Bible App for Kids! Start a conversation about faith with your friends or family: Ask if they’d like you to install a YouVersion app for them!

Bible App logo

The Bible App offers more than 1,800 Bible versions in over 1,200 languages, along with content and tools designed to help you explore the Bible daily.

Bible Lens

Bible Lens finds biblical themes in your pictures, then overlays matching verses that you can customize and share.

Bible App for Kids Jesus

Bible App for Kids helps children engage with 41 Bible stories through fun animation and activities. Now available in 42 languages!


Bible for Voice

Did you know you can experience the Bible App on your Google or Amazon device? Just start with the same “Ok Google” or “Alexa…” that you use to play music, answer questions, or add to your grocery list.

And now your kids can listen to over 40 Bible stories on Amazon devices! Just say, “Alexa, enable YouVersion Kids Bible.”

Learn More



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Considering an end of year gift?

You can help people connect with God’s Word every day, all over the world. Let’s partner together in this movement of God.

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Let’s celebrate the gift of Jesus!

Verse Image - Isaiah 9:6

God is with us!

From all of us at YouVersion, we wish you joy and peace this Christmas day. And, as you celebrate the gift of our Lord and Savior, we hope you’ll take many opportunities to share his love.

…if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it. But do this in a gentle and respectful way.

1 PETER 3:15-16

The Bible calls Jesus, “Immanuel: God with us.” What great news! Share by tapping the image above, or create your own Verse Image in the Bible App or in Bible Lens. And may you have a very merry Christmas!

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