Approaching the Bible for the first time — or restarting a habit you lost long ago — can feel overwhelming. It’s a big library of 66 books filled with ancient history, poetry, letters, and prophecy. But studying Scripture doesn't have to be intimidating. With the right tools and a consistent plan, you can uncover the richness of the Word of God, enrich your relationship with Jesus, and apply the Scriptures to your life today.
Studying Scripture doesn't have to be intimidating.
Here are practical steps to deepen your understanding of God's Word.
Jump to resources:
Editor's Pick
Foundational Guides
Mastering the Basics
Essential Reference Tools
Books of the Bible Studies
Start with a Daily Reading Plan
Consistency is more important than volume. You don't need to read ten chapters a day to grow; you just need to show up.
Start by setting aside 15 minutes each day. Pick a time when your mind is fresh, whether that's early morning with coffee or during your lunch break.
Set the stage: find a quiet spot whether that's in your living room, in your car, in a coffee shop (you might want earbuds in), or sitting out on your porch. Silence your phone, pull out your Bible, and dive in with Jesus!
Using a structured reading plan helps you avoid the "Bible roulette" method, where you just flip open to a random page. Platforms like Bible Gateway offer dozens of free reading plans. You can choose to read through the Bible in a year, focus on the Gospels, or explore thematic studies on hope or anxiety. Having a plan keeps you on track and provides context for what you read.
Go Deeper with Video Studies
You might find that reading isn't enough. Maybe you hit a difficult passage in Leviticus or a confusing prophecy in Revelation and get stuck. This is where video resources shine.
StudyGateway is a fantastic resource for this. It offers video Bible studies from trusted teachers and pastors who can explain the historical and cultural background of the Bible, help you understand individual books of the Bible, and who can explicate the Bible in ways that encourage your soul and enlighten your mind. Watch a 4- to 6-session study today! Video studies are a fantastic tool for learning more about the Word and helping you lean more and more on Jesus.
Focus on One Book at a Time
Instead of jumping between the Old and New Testaments randomly, try a "Book of the Bible" study. Pick a book — like Mark, John, or Romans — and stay there for a few weeks. Read it through multiple times. Go through a book study guide!
Ask three simple questions as you read:
- What does this teach me about Jesus?
- What does this say about God's people?
- How does this inform me how to live?
Equip Yourself with the Right Tools
To truly master Bible study, you need more than just the Bible itself. You need tools to bridge the gap between the ancient world and today.
Bible Dictionaries: These define terms that are no longer in common use or have specific theological meanings. The Essential Bible Dictionary is a great choice!
Atlases: Geography matters. Knowing where Paul traveled or where the Israelites wandered gives you a mental map of the narrative. The Essential Atlas of the Bible has everything you need.
Commentaries: These provide verse-by-verse explanations from scholars who have spent lifetimes studying the original languages. My choice: The NIV Application Commentary on the Bible.
Recommended Resources for Your Library
Ready to build your study library? These books are excellent companions for anyone wanting to take their Bible study to the next level.
Editor's Pick
No More Boring Bible Study by Faith Womack. Learn quick, easy study methods. Get energized by the story of Scripture. Grasp new concepts that bring the Bible to life. Grow closer to God and have fun (yes!) doing close study!
Foundational Guides
The Bible, Simplified by Zach Windahl. In his relatable and easy-to-read style, Zach has simplified Scripture to help you — especially if you’re a new Christian — understand the Bible’s message in a way that’s approachable and life-changing. If you’re feeling lost with Scripture, this book will be your guide. You no longer need to be confused, disconnected, and overwhelmed in your faith. Take the first step to understanding God’s story — and your remarkable role in it. An 8-week study that will show you how all the stories in the Bible tell an interwoven story of God using people to bring his kingdom to the world. You'll dig into historical context, learn about the different genres in the Bible, and discover proven methods of studying the Bible that will help you not only better understand what it means but also how it helps you grasp God's great love for you.
The Bible Simplified Study Guide An 8-week study that will show you how all the stories in the Bible tell an interwoven story of God using people to bring his kingdom to the world. You'll dig into historical context, learn about the different genres in the Bible, and discover proven methods of studying the Bible that will help you not only better understand what it means but also how it helps you grasp God's great love for you.
How to Read the Bible by David Platt. This little book is a gem! Platt's four-step guide to studying God's Word rightly is set up with the acrostic MAPS: Meditate on and memorize God's Word, storing it in your heart and mind so that you walk closer with Jesus each day. Apply the Bible's truths to every layer of your life, allowing the Holy Spirit to transform you and revolutionize your ultimate purpose for living. Pray boldly, confident that God will answer and align your heart with His Word. Share God's Word with others, letting it flow through you to your neighbor as well as to others around the world.
Mastering the Basics
Brief Insights on Mastering Bible Study by Michael S. Heiser. Each of this book's 80 short chapters consist of statements or insights about Bible study done well or poorly and what makes that the case. You'll learn: How to cultivate effective study habits, What the Bible (and, specifically, what your Bible) is, How (and how not) to accurately interpret the Bible, Where to find and how to use effective Bible study tools.
Brief Insights on Mastering the Bible by Michael S. Heiser. Clear comprehension of what's in the Bible and what it means isn't a lost cause. This book provides expert observations so that you can comprehend more of Scripture than you ever have before.
Brief Insights on Mastering Bible Doctrine by Michael S. Heiser. How should we really understand the idea of the Trinity or the concept of Hell? Can unbelievers still please God? Do the first chapters of Genesis allow for more than one interpretation of the creation? What the Bible says requires deep thought in order to come to conclusions about our Heavenly Father. If all you know of Scripture is Bible characters and stories, you're missing its life-changing teachings. But you don't have to become a theologian yourself to participate in mature reflections on its messages.
Essential Reference Tools
The Essential Atlas of the Bible With nearly 200 visually captivating, multidimensional maps and full-color images, this comprehensive atlas will deepen your understanding of biblical lands, history, and spirituality. Leveraging highly accurate mapping technologies, it provides an up-to-date geographical perspective that makes Scripture study both engaging and impactful.
The Essential Bible Companion empowers you with: 1) Background information that uncovers the purpose, key terms, concepts, and teachings about God in each Bible book. 2) A user-friendly timeline featuring key events for each book. 3) A who's-who of essential Biblical figures to know. 4) Must-read verses, illustrative maps, and enlightening historical introductions. Ideal for those seeking greater understanding of the Bible without getting lost in overbearing detail.
The Essential Bible Dictionary is a visual guide to Scripture's people, places and themes that will aid your study with: 1) Comprehensive definitions shedding light on key Bible themes, places, people, and much more. 2) Vibrant full-color images, maps, illustrations, and diagrams throughout - bringing the biblical world vibrantly to life. 3) Thorough book overviews, arranged alphabetically for your convenience, complete with information on authorship, content, historical background, and purpose of each Bible book. 4) Phonetic pronunciation for each entry - never stumble on a biblical name or term again. 5) Crucial cross-references for a more in-depth study.
The NIV Application Commentary on the Bible s a masterful blend of content written by today's top academics in a way that is compelling and easy to understand for anyone--no formal training or seminary degree required. This one-volume commentary is intended both for personal study and for teaching preparation.
Books of the Bible Studies
Romans Bible Study by Kevin G. Harney. Christians in the first century lived in a world ruled by Rome. The vast size of the Roman Empire meant that it incorporated many different people groups who followed many different religions. Christians were thus often confronted with practices mandated by the local authorities where they lived that went against their faith in Jesus. But even more problematic, they were also often confronted with worldviews and systems of belief that went against their faith. This was especially true of the believers who lived in the capital city of Rome. So it was that when Paul decided to visit the city, he first sent them a letter outlining the key principles and "doctrines" of the Christian faith. Paul explained what humans are really like (sinful), what God has done to provide an escape from the consequences of humanity's sin, and what a lifestyle that goes out of a Christian worldview looks like. Today, we need to know the same! We need to have a deep understanding of what we believe so we know how to respond when faced with other beliefs that go against Christ.
Mark Bible Study by Kevin G. Harney. Mark wrote his account of the life and ministry of Jesus during the time that first-century Christians were facing intense persecution because of their faith. The timing is important. Mark, in penning his Gospel, was proclaiming without apology that Jesus was indeed the Messiah and the Son of God—the fulfillment of Israel's hopes who had indeed ushered in God's reign. Although things looked bleak for Christ followers, they could be sure the foundation of their faith was secure. They would receive an eternal reward if they remained faithful to their Lord. Just like Mark's readers, you need to know that your faith is built on a solid foundation. In this twelve-lesson study, you will explore the context of Mark's Gospel and examine what you can glean from what he wrote and—just as importantly—what he didn't write. This is an invitation for you to learn more about Jesus and life in his kingdom as you examine this unique Gospel from the perspectives of a first-century Christian and a twenty-first century Christian.
John Bible Study by Kevin G. Harney. In many ways, John's Gospel functions as both a Gospel and a letter. As a Gospel, it tells the story of Jesus and his role as revealer of God the Father and provider of redemption to all humanity. As a letter, it encouraged first-century Christians in the life they had chosen, revealed how life in Christ was different from Judaism, and corrected false teachings (like those of the Gnostics). But fundamentally, John's Gospel narrates the life of Jesus and reveals that he was truly the Son of God. Jesus had lived in the flesh among the people. John, being one of Jesus' closest disciples, had witnessed Jesus teaching those who followed him, seen the miracles that he had performed, and was there when he was crucified and then raised from the dead. Yet in spite of all the miraculous signs, pointed teachings, and resurrection, there were still questions about Jesus' divinity. So John sought, through his own personal testimony, to reveal why Jesus was fully divine while also being fully human. John made it clear that Jesus would be filled with power from the Holy Spirit and that when Christ left the earth, he made that same power available to all his followers—both in the first century and for followers today.
Coming Soon:
Faithful Then, Faithful Now 40 Day Devotional — Preorder now! With forty profiles, from grieving mothers to bold leaders, this devotional reveals the wide array of people who placed their faith in God and found confidence, purpose, and grace. Each reading offers inspiration for your own journey of faith, demonstrating how these ancient accounts and principles apply in today's world. Find encouragement to navigate life's highs and lows and discover hope in the stories of forty individuals—including Eve, Moses, Daniel, Ruth, Paul, Lydia, and Mary Magdalene—whose God still meets you here today.
Studying the Bible is a lifelong journey. Start small, use good tools, and keep reading! The more you invest in understanding Scripture, the more it will shape your heart and life.