How to Read the Bible Daily (and Understand It)

No matter where you are on your journey as a Christian, reading the Bible daily is a habit that can only enhance your faith. If you’re unsure how to start or are struggling to find the time, this post is for you.

I’ll share some tips on prioritizing Bible reading and suggest different translations and methods that may work for you. Get ready to grow your understanding of God’s Word and strengthen your relationship with Him.

Why is Reading the Bible So Challenging?

Let’s face it; the Bible is a big book. It can be intimidating to read it cover to cover, especially when you’re busy with work, family, and other obligations. And even if you do find the time to sit down and read, it’s not always easy to understand what you’re reading.

The Bible was written in a different time and culture, and it can seem complicated to apply its lessons to our modern lives.

Remember, “while all of the Bible is truth we can apply to our lives, some of the Bible was not originally written to us.” You can learn more about this by reading How can we know what parts of the Bible apply to us today?

But despite all these challenges, the Bible is absolutely worth reading. It is a gift from God the Father. It’s a source of comfort and wisdom, and it has the power to transform our lives.

So if you’re struggling to read the Bible daily, don’t give up. Take it one step at a time, and be patient with yourself. The rewards will be well worth the effort.

1. Start with a Prayer

Before I read my Bible, I always start with a prayer. I ask God to help me understand what I’m reading and to show me how I can apply it to my life. This has been a huge help for me because it takes the pressure off of trying to figure everything out on my own.

2. Make a Schedule and Stick to It

This one was big for me. The first few times I tried to read the Bible, I would read a few chapters here and there with no actual schedule.

It was easy to fall off on my readings by doing things this way. Once I set a schedule for myself, I found it much easier to stick to my goals.

I recommend finding a time of day that works best for you and reading at least one chapter a day. If you read just one chapter daily, you’ll have read the entire Bible in three years.

For some, this may seem like a long time, but I’d rather spend three years reading the Bible than zero days.

There’s also the option to read the Bible in a year. Most Bibles typically include a one-year reading plan to start you on your journey.

Regardless of how much you decide to read each day, the important thing is to be consistent with your readings.

3. Find a Translation That Works for You

This was another big one for me. When I first started reading the Bible, I tried reading the King James Version. But after struggling with it for a few weeks, I decided to switch to the English Standard Version (ESV). This made a world of difference for me, and I was finally able to start making progress.

The ESV is now my go-to Bible translation, but plenty of other options are available.

Since reading the English Standard Version of the Bible, I have also read the King James Version on audio, which made it much easier for me to understand the Word. This brings me to my next tip.

4. Listen to the Bible as an Audiobook

Listening to the Bible as an audiobook can be a great way to help you understand and engage with the text. If you’re struggling to read the Bible on your own, try listening to it instead.

There are plenty of great audiobook versions of the Bible available, so there’s sure to be one that’s a good fit for you.

If you’re an Audible subscriber, they have a free Kings James version that you can listen to. This is the audiobook I chose, and I thoroughly enjoyed the narration.

There’s also the YouVersion Bible App, which offers a wide variety of audiobooks, including the NIV, ESV, and NKJV versions, and many more (all for free).

Finally, on YouTube, there’s a popular KJV Dramatized Audio covering the entire King James Bible.

Whether you’re looking for a new way to engage with the Bible or you’re trying to find a way to understand it better, listening to the Bible as an audiobook can be a great option.

I know that when I am having trouble getting into reading the Bible, listening to it instead can make all the difference.

5. Watch Explanation (Overview) Videos After Each Book

Whenever I would finish a book in the Bible, I would search for videos on YouTube that explained the book. This was great for me because it helped either cement my understanding of the book or explain things I didn’t understand.

One channel that I found myself returning to is the BibleProject. They have a lot of videos explaining books of the Bible. I recommend starting with the Old Testament series.

I also really enjoyed watching videos from Pastor Landon. He has created a Full Bible Walkthrough series. This series gives an overview of the Books on the Bible in 10 minutes or less. I like how he presents the martial in a really unique and exciting way.

6. Find a Bible Study Group

I don’t know about you, but reading the Bible makes me want to talk about God and the Bible! And what better way to do that than to find a group of people who also love God.

You can talk about the things you’re learning and help each other out when you don’t understand something. If you don’t have any friends who are reading the Bible, try joining an online group, or start one yourself.

Another option is to find a local Bible study group. You can look online, or if you attend church, there’s a good chance that they have an active Bible study group for you to attend.

Make sure you find a group of people who will support you in your journey to understanding the Bible. It’s not always easy to find the right people, but it’s so worth it to have friends who are on the same path as you.

Final Words on Reading the Bible Daily

There is no better way to get to know God than by reading the Bible. It’s the story of God, and it’s the most important story you will ever read. If you have the desire to read your Bible every day, use these simple and actionable tips to read the Word daily.

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