Read the Bible

Tips for Reading Your Bible.

Start with prayer. Ask the Lord to speak to you through His Word and give you understanding.
You don't have to read from start to finish.
Consider the genre of what you're reading (poetry, narrative, history, etc).
If it’s poetry, don’t try to read massive amounts.  Combine it with stories that read faster.
Start with an easy-to-read translation, like the CSB.

  • Start with prayer. Ask God to speak to you through His word, to give you understanding and to deepen your desire to spend time in it.
  • Read a little bit at a time. Pace yourself. Reading the Bible is meant to be a life-long pursuit and journey. Regular time in God’s word matters more than how much you read at once.
  • While reading the Bible from start to finish can be a meaningful goal, it’s not the only way to engage with it. Some people start with their questions or curiosity about God, while others begin in places that interest them most—like finding encouragement in the Psalms or Jesus’ teachings in the Sermon on the Mount.
  • Understand the type of writing. Consider the genre of what you’re reading (poetry, narrative, history, etc.). Understanding the genre helps you better grasp what the passage means and how to apply it.
  • Start with an easy-to-read translation such as the Christian Standard Bible (CSB). There are many versions of the Bible, try other translations to see what makes the most sense to you.
  • Engage with scripture within community. Join a Small Group [link to groups page], a Midsize group [link to browse midsize groups] or a Bible Study [link to studies and classes page] We have people who would love to walk alongside you as you begin your journey, get a mentor.

Join one of HNW’s Find a reading plan to follow. HNW's reading plans are (offered several times a year) or find a reading plan online and to follow it

The Bible was originally written in Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek, so translations exist to bring those writing into clear, understandable English. Different translations aim to do that in different ways—some focus on being word-for-word accurate, while others prioritize clarity and readability in modern language.

• Word-for-word (more literal): stays close to the original wording and structure such as King James Version (KJV), English Standard Version (ESV), and New American Standard Bible (NASB).  

• Thought-for-thought (balance of accuracy and readability): focuses on conveying the meaning in natural language such as Christian Standard Bible (CSB), New International Version (NIV), and New Living Translation (NLT)  

• Paraphrase (more conversational): rewords the ideas in a very conversational way such as The Message (MSG) and The Living Bible (TLB) 

If you do not own a Bible, we would love to gift you one. Stop by one of our Connections Booths on Sunday to pick one up from us.

Helpful Questions When Reading Scripture

oWhat is happening in this passage?
oWho is speaking, and who is the audience?
oWhat stands out to me?

oWhat does this show me about who God is?
oWhat is God doing or saying here?

oWhat does this reveal about people, including me?
oIs there something to believe, change, or respond to?

oHow can I apply this to my life today?
oIs there a step of obedience or trust I can take?

Bible Reading Plans

Experts believe that daily Bible reading is the number one factor in spiritual growth and development. With that in mind, we want to see you engaged in a daily relationship with God through His Word. Here are a few options to consider: one if you're just getting started and one for a long-term reading plan.

The Bible Project

The Bible Project and the Bible App partnered together to offer a fantastic, free, one-year reading plan, showing how the whole story of Scripture is ultimately about Jesus.
Go to Plan

The Bible Recap

The Bible Recap with Tara Leigh Cobble is a 365-day chronological Bible reading journey paired with daily, casual, easy-to-understand recaps from Tara Leigh Cobble in podcast, video, or text form.
Go to Plan

Community or Solo Reading

He Reads Truth and She Reads Truth are great options for participating in an online Bible reading community with other men or women. Sometimes the studies are topical, and other times they take you through a book of the Bible. Individual plans are also available.

He reads truthShe reads truth
Series

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