Where to Begin

When you first decide to study the Bible, it can be overwhelming. I think many of us at one time or another have sat down with a Bible in our hands, randomly flipping through the pages (and there are a lot of them!), wondering, Where in the world do I begin?

Well, the answer is you can begin reading wherever you like—there aren’t any rules. However, if you’re reading the Bible for the first time, I recommend you begin with the gospel of John or spend some time reading through the book of Psalms. Why? These books are easy to read and full of God’s messages of love and encouragement.

I’ve also found it helpful to read and study the Bible with a specific need in mind. For instance, if I’m having a hard time forgiving someone and letting go of anger, then I will look up all of the scriptures I can find on those subjects and allow God’s Word to help me walk through it.

To get started, I recommend using a few basic study tools:  

• A Bible. I personally love the Amplified Bible (AMP) and was greatly helped by the expansion it gives of the original languages in the Bible. In fact, I have put together The Everyday Life Bible, which is an Amplified Bible (AMP) that also contains my personal notes and teaching articles. 

      More than anything, take some time to research a Bible translation that works for you. 

• A Concordance. Many Bibles have a concordance printed in the back. You can also buy a concordance at the bookstore. Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance has traditionally been my favorite. A concordance will help you to find every specific location that a word or phrase is used. So, if you are studying about God’s mercy, you would simply look up the word “mercy” in your concordance to discover where to look for it in the Bible.  
• A Dictionary. I’ve found that having a dictionary handy—whether a physical dictionary or an online version—is also tremendously helpful. I’ll be honest, during my first few years of reading and studying the Bible, I wasn’t even sure what a lot of words meant. 

      But in addition to this, when we look at the definitions, we receive the full meaning of the word. I can’t tell you how many times the Lord has taught me a great lesson this way. 

      I personally love the 1828 Webster’s Dictionary because it shares what the words originally meant, and many of the definitions are based on Scripture. I also recommend Vine’s Greek Dictionary of Old and New Testament words. 

• Notepad or computer for taking notes.Taking notes as you read and study is a great way to remember the lessons you are learning. You can also go back again and again to reference those things that stand out you.

Today, Bible software packages and online search tools have made studying the Bible easier than ever. We can instantly find scriptures on any topic. In this case, I could individually enter in the words “anger” and “forgiveness” to find any related verses. 

As we read scriptures over and over and allow them to really sink into our hearts, they have the power to change us from the inside out. When I teach, I call that kind of transformative change “revelation”—and with God’s help and a willing heart, we will receive it!

Start by taking some time to talk with God in prayer and read and study His Word—even if it’s just five or 10 minutes. As you take these baby steps and commit to regularly seeking God and spending time in His Word, I believe you’ll feel like I do—that it’s one of the greatest investments you have ever made.

Pray: “God, I am so excited to begin studying Your Word! As I begin, I ask You to guide me through this process and lead me to the right chapters and verses. Help me to develop a system that works best for me and allows me to take in everything You want to show me. I commit this whole process to You! In Jesus’ name, amen.”