Reading the Bible is an important milestone in any reader’s life, especially for all the Christians out there. The importance of this Holy Book is undeniable and we cannot argue the fact that it plays an important role in the development of each and every one of us. Just as true is the fact that it can be a challenge. Learning how to start reading the Bible for beginners and respecting the process can make a huge difference.
Here at Basmo, we support your reading habits regardless of the topic you are interested in. And more than anything, we want you to have all the proper tools for your reading experience to be an enlightening and efficient one. Here’s what you should know about the best way to start reading the Bible.
I Want to Start Reading the Bible, How Do I Start?
Starting to read the Bible can be intimidating. While it represents a hugely important part of the Christian religion, it also comes as a collection of text written over the course of several centuries, with the earliest parts being authored by Moses some 3,500 years ago.
That means you are quite likely to not be completely familiar with the language used or the phrasing, and you might not be able to relate to the texts right away. There are a couple of things you can do to make things easier for you though.
1. Start by Understanding Your Motivation
Like with everything else, your motivation is of utmost importance. Knowing why you are doing something and what benefits you can get once you meet your goals is as important as the work you are about to put into it.
Ask yourself questions and try to find the answers through weighty introspection. Why are you reading the Bible? What are you hoping to achieve through reading it? Why now? Answering all these questions and having a good level of self-awareness throughout the process will make the whole experience a lot more mindful and wholesome.
2. Create a Schedule and a Plan
Since reading the Bible is quite an ordeal, your chances of making this a pleasant and efficient experience will increase if you approach the activity in a structured manner. Plan your reading sessions, try to create a reading schedule, and stick to the plans you make.
Dedicate some time every day for Bible study, and adjust it according to how you feel. One important aspect you need to understand and prepare for is that you won’t be able to read the Bible leisurely as you would with a fiction novel. Reading the Bible is going to be closer to studying than reading fiction.
Start with short sessions every day and read actively. Set yourself up for success with realistic expectations. Adjust the length of your sessions as you go and find the right balance.
A good way to create this plan and stick to it is to use Basmo.
With our reading tracking app, you can create a reading schedule, you can time your sessions, and even keep track of your emotions after each reading session. Simply choose the days of the week and the time you want to dedicate to reading the Bible, and the app will remind you of the upcoming scheduled sessions.
On top of this, you can keep track of your reading performance by analyzing your stats in the app. See how long your reading sessions are, how much you manage to read in that time and try to adjust your reading speed to favor mindfulness, wholesomeness, and overall comprehension over speed. Reading the Bible is not a race to finish, it is an experience.
Keeping track of your emotions is easy. All you need to do is select the emoji that best represents how you feel after each session, and the app will use that data to create a weekly report you can use to adjust the way you approach reading the Bible.
3. Choose the Right Place
Like any piece of reading material that requires some effort to go through, the Bible should be read in a place where distractions are at a minimum. In order to be able to actually comprehend and absorb the teachings from the Bible, you should keep in mind that your reading nook should allow you to properly focus.
On top of the actual comprehension of the texts, you should also remember that reading the Bible is an introspective process. It will require deep reflection, asking and answering important questions, and finding the proper balance between logical thinking and self-exploration through spirituality.
Just like the best place for prayer is a quiet church, the best place for reading the Bible should be one where you can actually get in touch with yourself, adjust your comprehension of divinity, and properly reflect on what you read and how the teachings apply to your life.
4. Use the Right Bible
As you know, there are several versions and translations of the Bible. Since it represents a compilation of religious texts partially written thousands of years ago, the book has been translated and adapted several times throughout history.
There are several things you should keep in mind when choosing the right version for your goals. One would be the ease of reading. Finding the version that hits the sweet spot between a translation that stays true to the original while also being translated in a way that is easy to understand is quite important.
Another essential thing to take into account is that you can choose a study Bible. These versions contain side notes, additional explanations, illustrations, diagrams, key lessons, and other insights. They can provide a much better way to understand the Bible than reading the bare original.
And of course, last but not least, if you choose to study a physical copy of the Bible, you should pay attention to the quality of the print. While reading a very old Bible that has clearly seen some history can be satisfying in its own way, as a beginner, it is best to use a more modern Bible for the first read. That way your eyes won’t get tired trying to make out what the print reads, and you won’t have to worry about pages tearing.
That being said, here are the top 3 Bible versions for beginners:
5. Be Patient
Patience is a virtue in many aspects of our lives and that is definitely just as true when it comes to reading the Bible. Be realistic when managing your expectations in regard to how long it will take you to read and understand the Bible and be kind to yourself.
The process is not going to be an easy one and you don’t stand to gain anything by rushing it. Take breaks as often as you feel necessary, and take some time to reflect on what you read rather than power through the reading without paying attention.
You should know that uncovering all the lessons from the Bible can take ages. Each re-read will feel different as time passes and circumstances in your life change. Studying the Bible is more than just reading it and understanding the words. Grasping what the meaning of those words is and how the teachings can be applied in real life is a lot more important.
How Can I Make Reading the Bible Easier and More Effective?
So, what is the best way to start reading the Bible? On top of the tips and tricks I mentioned above, it is important to take advantage of all the right tools. One of these tools is, without a doubt, Basmo, the reading tracking app you know and love.
You can use Basmo while reading the Bible to take notes, keep a reading journal where you can jot down your thoughts and feelings, or even save your favorite quotes from the Bible.
But if you really want to make reading the Bible a truly enlightening experience, we also recommend you try the Bible Chat App.
Probably the most important thing you should know is that the Bible Chat App is entirely AI-powered. Through the use of artificial intelligence, you can take studying the Bible to a completely different level. The app allows you to chat with an AI-powered bot that can assist you throughout the process in surprising ways.
For example, you can ask the bot anything. Not only about the Bible but literally anything. In the context of studying the Bible though, it’s important to know that the AI chatbot is going to gladly answer any questions you have about the Bible. Whether you need more historical context for certain parts, or if you need additional explanations about a particular book, the chatbot literally has all the answers.
On top of this, you will also gain access to some of the most popular and relevant Bible versions and unlimited knowledge. Through the power of AI, you can dive a lot deeper into the teachings of the Bible and uncover its most complex secrets.
You can use the Bible Chat app as your personal guide through exploring Christianity and you can also ask it for advice in difficult situations. It will always advise you taking all the Bible’s teachings into account and can even generate personalized prayers for your particular issues or needs.
Where Do I Start Reading the Bible?
As I mentioned above, the Bible is a compilation of books and texts written by various prophets and personalities throughout centuries. That means that they were not written with a clear intention for them to be read in a particular order.
There are a total of 66 books that compile the Bible we know today. They are split between the Old Testament and the New Testament, and the order you read them in can make a huge difference. So, where to start reading the Bible?
According to specialists and theology experts, the best way for a beginner to start reading the Bible is this:
- Genesis
- Exodus
- Joshua
- 1 Samuel
- 2 Samuel
- 1 Kings
- 2 Kings
- Ezra
- Nehemiah
- Habakkuk
- Proverbs
- Luke
- Acts
- Ephesians
- Revelation
These books contain enough information for a beginner to be able to grasp what the entire Bible is about and are filled with the most important lessons and terminology. The rest of the books can be read in any order you prefer.
This particular order will take you through the most important parts of the religious meaning, it will allow you to better understand the context and will provide you with enough insight for you to be able to read the rest of the books efficiently.
Final Thoughts on Getting Started With Reading the Bible
How to start reading the Bible for beginners can be a challenge. With the right mindset and the proper tools, you can make things a lot easier and more efficient. Try Basmo and the Bible Chat App and see for yourself what a wholesome and meaningful experience reading the Bible can be.
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