The Greatest Story Ever Told

What is the Bible and how do you read it?

What is the Bible?

The Bible is a collection of books written over a period of 1600 years. It is the most popular, powerful and precious book in the world. It is God’s primary way of communicating with us. Through the Bible we get to know Jesus. The Bible is all about Jesus.

Who wrote the Bible?

The Bible is inspired by God, as Christians we would call it God-breathed. It was written by over forty different authors such as Moses, King David, King Solomon, Matthew, John and Paul. The authors were 100% human and 100% inspired by God.

How should I read it?

There are so many ways to read the Bible. One might be to start at the beginning and read it through to the end! Others might start in the New Testament in a book such as John.

There are lots of different reading plans and it’s important to find one that suits you. Here’s some quick and simple tips…

Top tips for using your Bible…

  • Keep a notepad handy to jot down what you are learning.
  • You’ll see two numbers, the big one is for chapter, the small one is for verse.
  • Try memorising encouraging verses, they’ll be a great help.
  • Don’t be afraid to ask for help, there’s a lot to take in.
  • Start by reading small chunks, it’s about quality not quantity.
  • Use the contents page, it’s there to help you navigate.
  • Use a pen/highlighter to make lasting notes in your Bible.
  • Find a reading plan that helps you get into a daily rhythm.

The Bible in One Year

A great way to read the Bible is to set yourself the target of reading through it in one year. An organisation called Alpha provide a free Bible reading app with helpful study notes. It’s available through the app store on all smart phones and tablets or you can access it online and even set up a daily email direct to your inbox.

Life giving words

Thanks to modern technology the Bible has never been more accessible. One great resource that we would recommend is the YouVersion Bible app. This is a free way to access the Bible on your phone, tablet and computer. In using YouVersion you can set up daily reading plans, and even create daily reminders, which is helpful if you have a forgetful mind.

The Bible app for kids

The Bible is just as relevant to children as it is to adults and there are some great resources out there for children. One of our favourites is the Bible App for Kids, a free interactive resource made available by YouVersion. This animated storybook app is available for smart phones and tablets with colourful illustrations and touch-activated animations. It includes games and activities to help children remember what they learn. You can also buy a hardback book copy of this through online shops such as Amazon. Some other great children’s Bibles available are ‘The Jesus Storybook Bible’ (Sally Lloyd-Jones) and ‘The Big Bible Storybook’ (Scripture Union) which are both available to purchase on Amazon.

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