Getting the most
out of your Bible

Congratulations on making the incredible
decision to spend more time in the Word of God.

Below you will find a range of resources to help you get started or gain confidence reading the bible.

How and why should I read the bible?

The Basics of the Bible

Watch these short videos to understand the Bible better:

Video One – What is the Bible?

Video Two – The Story of the Bible

Video Three – Literary Styles of the Bible

Video Four – Ancient Jewish Meditation Literature

Want to learn more? Click HERE for more videos on understanding the Bible better.  

Making the most of your time in the bible

Some Practical Guidelines

Find a quiet place away from as many distractions as possible.

Pray and ask God to speak to you and change you as you read His word.

Read it slowly and really engage your mind as your read.

Consider, when was this written, who was it written to, why was it written, what did it mean to the people in that generation and how does it apply to us today?

The S.O.A.P Method

S.O.A.P is a simple method for reading and applying God’s word to our lives.

S.O.A.P stands for Scripture, Observation, Application and Prayer and involves four simple steps:

Scripture– Read a short Bible passage and / or write it out.

Observation– What do you notice about the verses? What do you think the main message is? What verses, words or ideas jump out to you? Highlight the parts that stick out!

Application– Ask God how He wants you to apply the verse to your own life.

Prayer– Pray for others and for yourself

Where should I get started?

Download YouVersion Bible AppYouVersion Bible App for KidsStart a reading plan

Choosing a Translation

The Bible was written in three languages: Hebrew, Aramaic and koine Greek. In translating scripture into English, academic scholars have used slightly different methods to present the Bible in a way that readers today can best understand it.

Which translation should you pick? One that you find easiest to read and comprehend. If you are unsure where to start, we recommend the NIV or NLT.

As you continue to grow in your understanding, you may want to read a number of translations.

Recommended Bible Plans

How To Study The Bible

Over the course of five days, read through the first chapter of the book of James and follow along with video instruction from Jen Wilkin, author of "Women of the Word: How to Study the Bible with Both Our Hearts and Our Minds," as she walks through six helpful ways to study the Bible and let it, as she says, “get under your skin.”

Start the plan

Divine Direction

Every day, we make choices that shape our life story. What would your life look like if you became an expert at making those choices? In the Divine Direction Bible Plan, New York Times bestselling author and Senior Pastor of Life.Church, Craig Groeschel, encourages you with seven principles from his Divine Direction book to help you find God’s wisdom for your daily decisions. Discover the spiritual direction you need to live a honouring story you’ll love to tell.

Start the plan

Bible in one year

This plan takes readers through the entirety of Scripture in one year. Combined with a daily commentary from Nicky and Pippa Gumbel, this plan guides us to engage more closely with God’s Word and encourages us not only to apply the teachings of Scripture to our everyday life, but also to move deeper in our relationship with Jesus.

Start the plan

Why Read The Bible?

Ok, we know how weird it is to try to give you reasons to read the Bible... that are actually in the Bible. That's why we created this plan; an opportunity to honestly look at what the Bible says and wonder why it says it.

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Foundations of Faith

“Who is God?” “What is sin?” “Who is the Holy Spirit?” These questions are foundational to the Christian faith. So grab some friends and, in this 5-day Plan, take a closer look at what Scripture tells us about the foundations of our faith.

Start the plan