You’ve probably heard from other Christians that reading your Bible is one of the best things you can do. I always hear that phrase in a Southern-Billy-Graham-ish kind of accent for some reason. Regardless of the accent you’ve heard, whoever said it was right. God reveals Himself through His Word in ways nothing else can match. The question most guys actually have, though, is not whether they should read the Bible. It’s how to read the Bible in a way that actually sticks.
You know it’s a good thing. You know it’s one of the best ways to get to know God. What you want is something practical you can actually use.
Key Takeaways
- Start with Prayer: Ask God to open your mind and heart before you read a single verse.
- Pick the Right Translation: Choose a Bible translation that reads naturally to you so the language does not become a barrier.
- Start with Stories: Genesis, Exodus, and the Gospels are solid entry points for men who are just getting started.
- Write Things Down: Taking notes moves you from passively reading the Bible to actually studying it.
- Build a Habit: Consistency over time matters more than reading length, and mornings tend to protect the habit better than evenings.
Why Reading the Bible Matters
God reveals Himself through Scripture in a way He does not through anything else. The Bible is not just another book. Hebrews 4:12 describes it as living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword. That is not a metaphor for something mildly helpful. That is a description of something that changes men. And the kind of change it produces in a man shows up in how he leads, how he handles pressure, and what kind of man he becomes.
How to Read the Bible in 5 Steps
1. Start with Prayer
Surprise, prayer is involved. Okay, not a surprise. You already know this. But do you actually do it? Do you pause before you start reading and ask God to explain His Word to you?
Like most kids around ages two or three, mine enjoyed coloring and drawing pictures with crayons. Also, like most kids that age, mine lacked the skill level of drawing distinguishable shapes. My daughter would hand me a page full of scribbles and say, “Look, Daddy.” Unless she only drew tornadoes or explosions, I usually had no idea what I was looking at. So I would use that sly parenting move: “Tell me about your picture.” After she explained her squiggly scratch, I could kind of see what she was talking about.
Because she created it, only she had the authority to give me insight into her work. Reading the Bible works the same way. Every time you open it, ask God to open your eyes, ears, mind, and heart to what He wants to tell you.
2. Pick a Translation That Fits You
Maybe you’re into Shakespearean dialogue. Not me. I like easy words. When you start to read the Bible, choose a translation that makes sense to you. No reason to make things harder than they need to be.
There are plenty of solid options, and choosing a Bible translation comes down to finding one that is both accurate and readable for you personally. Once you find it, stick with it long enough to get familiar with it.
3. Start with Stories
There is plenty of history, prophecy, and doctrine in the Bible. But stories are always easier to read, and that is a perfectly good place to start. Genesis, Exodus, and Judges are full of stories about God calling and establishing His people. Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John tell firsthand accounts of Jesus. Acts tells the story of how the church spread across the known world. Pick one and start there.
Do not take on too much at one time. Scripture is dense. A whole chapter is often too much to absorb in one sitting. Sticking with the passage between subheadings, usually ten to fifteen verses, and trying to absorb as much as possible works well. Sometimes reading the same small passage all week is the right move because there is that much to learn from it.
4. Use Paper and Pen
When I say, “read the Bible,” I mean study the Bible. It is a living book, which means you cannot just skim it the way you would a magazine. Keeping notes will move you from reading the Bible to actually studying it. It helps you focus and think more carefully about what is in front of you instead of drifting through chapters on autopilot.
Write down anything that stands out, any questions you have, things you learned about God, and things you learned from the people in the stories. This is God using His Word to speak directly to you, so write it down. It does not have to be an essay. A sentence or two is enough. A solid Bible study approach does not need to be complicated to be effective.
5. Create a Habit
Like anything else, the more you do it, the better you will get at it. The more you read the Bible, the more natural it begins to feel, like sitting down with an old friend or recognizing a familiar voice. That level of comfort only comes from shared time together.
If possible, pick the same time every day. Mornings tend to work better than evenings for most men. The day has not had a chance to fill up yet, and there is less competition from the unpredictability of whatever comes up after dinner. That said, the best time to read the Bible is whatever time you will actually do it.
Do not worry about how much you should read or how long a session is “supposed to” last. You probably do not measure conversations with other people by how long they are supposed to be. Do not do it with God either. It will last as long as it lasts.
One More Step Worth Taking
All five steps above will help you read the Bible more effectively on your own. But there is one more thing that worked wonders personally. Going to someone you respect, someone with a rock-solid understanding of Scripture, and asking, “Could you teach me to read the Bible like you?” That may require a little pride swallowing, but it may also change everything.
Related Questions
How do you study the Bible?
Studying the Bible starts with slowing down, taking notes, asking questions about the text, and looking for what it reveals about God’s character and His expectations for your life.
In what order do you read the Bible?
There is no single required order, but starting with one of the Gospels gives you the clearest picture of Jesus before working through the rest of the New Testament or going back to Genesis.
How do you know what to read in the Bible?
A structured reading plan is one of the most practical ways to remove the daily decision and build consistent momentum through Scripture.
How do you read the Bible in one year?
Reading roughly three to four chapters per day will take you through the entire Bible in a year, and many free reading plans are available to keep you on track.
