The Bible is a complex and multifaceted book. If you are new to reading the Bible, you may be a confused beginner and could use a little guidance. There are many ways to introduce the Bible, here are a few suggestions:

• Read it for spiritual growth. The Bible is a rich source of wisdom and guidance and reading it can help you grow in your faith and understanding of God. You can read it devotionally – one passage or verse at a time, or you can read it systematically – one book or chapter at a time.

• Apply it to your daily life. The Bible is not just a book to be read or studied; it is a book to be lived. As you read and study the Bible, look for ways to apply it to your own life. How can you adhere to  God’s commands? How can you live out His principles? How can you share His love with others?

• Study it to learn more about God and His plans. The Bible is full of history, theology, and prophecy. Studying it can help you understand God’s character, His will for your life, and His plans for your future. You can study the Bible individually or in a group, and there are many resources available to help you, such as study Bibles, commentaries, and online courses.

While all three are important for the growth of Yahweh’s children, our focus for you – the person who is new to the Bible – are the first two areas:

• Reading for Spiritual Growth
• Applying it to you daily life

As you learn more, the third area – Studying to learn more about God and His plan – will become clearer to you.

Here are some specific tips for using the Bible:

• Start by praying. Ask God to open your mind and heart to His Word.
• Choose a translation that you are comfortable with. There are many different translations of the Bible available, so choose one that is easy for you to read and understand. The New International Version (NIV), American Standard Version (ASV), and the New Living Translation (NLT) are popular version for those new to the Bible.  The Message (MSG) is an increasingly popular translation that provides the bible in modern paraphrased language and is formatted like a novel.
• Find a quiet place where you can focus on your reading. Avoid distractions such as TV, music, and social media.
• Read slowly and carefully. Don’t be afraid to re-read passages that you don’t understand.
• Start with small passages. Don’t try to read long sections. Instead start with one or two verses in a book such as Proverbs or a small chapter in Psalms. Another good place to start is the Gospel of John. This book tells the story of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection.  This book is in the New Testament (the second half of the Bible) and is the fourth book after Matthew.
• Journal your thoughts. Keep a physical or digital journal about your readings. Always start by logging the address of what you read. The common format to log a Bible segment is: Book, Chapter#: verse.  Example: Proverbs 3:1-3 translates to Book of Proverbs, Chapter 3, versus 1 to 3.  Once you log the verse in your journal, write what it means to you and any questions you have about it.  Read it again slowly, and then think about the verse.
• Meditate on what you are read and journal your thoughts. Think about how it applies to your own life and what God wants you to learn from it. Write that in your journal as well. If you believe it doesn’t apply read the next verse or go to another section of the Bible and start again.  Repeat this until you find something that resonates with you.
• Pray about what you have read. Ask God to help you apply His Word to your life and to change you for the better.

You may also want to consider using a study Bible or Bible commentary to help you understand the Bible better.

No matter how you choose to use the Bible, the most important thing is to be open to what God has to say to you through His Word. Don’t give up and take your time.