How to Start Studying the Bible

Studying the Bible holds great importance for Christians. It’s the guidebook to our faith and the living, breathing Word of God.

Sometimes, however, it can feel overwhelming to study, not only for new believers, but those who have called themselves a Christian for some time already.

We’ve created this brief study guide for both new and well-established Christians, helping you start (or re-start) your Bible study journey.

This guide covers:

  • Why study the Bible? (including 5 reasons it’s important)
  • How to choose a Bible to study, and an overview of some of the more popular translations
  • Tools and resources to help you get started studying the Bible (including reading plan suggestions)
  • Some Bible study methods that you could easily try at home
  • Answers to frequently asked questions about how to start studying the Bible

Why Study the Bible?

As believers, why is it important to study the Bible? A tenant of the Christian faith is that we believe the Bible is the inspired Word of God. Even though we acknowledge men wrote the Bible, we believe that the Spirit of God inspired the text. This belief comes from this scripture:

“All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17 NLT

4 Reasons Why it is Important to Study Your Bible:

1. Spiritual Growth and Relationship with God: Reading the Bible (the Word of God) helps us understand His character and overall plan for our lives and the world around us. Furthermore, it provides us with increased wisdom and insight which can support us through life’s ups and downs.

2. Understanding the Christian Faith: The Bible allows us to understand the core fundamental elements of Christianity, including Salvation, Baptism, how the Earth came to be, the role of the Holy Spirit and the promises of God. We begin to see the deeper we go in our Bibles that every single aspect works together to point towards Him (His life, death and resurrection).

3. Moral and Ethical Guidance: The Bible teaches us many core values and morals that are fundamental to living an ethical life here on Earth, whether you call yourself Christian or not. This includes examples of kindness, justice, humility, love and forgiveness. It also gives us a steadfast, unchanging guide that doesn’t ebb and flow with trends and society, and is grounded in God’s truth.

4. Overcoming Doubts and Challenges: The Bible speaks of many of life’s difficulties and challenges that we all face in some way, shape or form, even today! It speaks of suffering, grief, loneliness, and injustice, which through Scripture can provide comfort, encouragement, and a reminder of God’s sovereignty and faithfulness.

Want to learn more about what we believe about the Bible and how to read and study it? Watch the recording of our Sunday Church Services where we shared a series called The Bible: Book of Books.

Choosing the Right Bible for You

Something that many new Christians (or even established ones!) can struggle with is finding the right Bible translation. The most important thing is that you are reading the Word of God, however many people have a favourite translation for varying reasons. Some people like to deeply study the origin of the words and to study theology and different forms of interpretation, or for others they have translations they enjoy more for daily inspiration and meditation.

Here are a few of the popular Bible translations and why you might choose them:

1. New International Version (NIV)

  • Style: Contemporary, smooth, and clear.
  • Strengths: Easy to read and understand, popular among English-speaking Christians.
  • Challenges for Beginners: Sometimes it sacrifices literal wording for clarity, which may lose some nuance.
  • Best For: Beginners, casual readers, and group Bible study.

2. English Standard Version (ESV)

  • Style: A balance between formal and readable; slightly more literal.
  • Strengths: Clear and accurate, great for serious study.
  • Challenges for Beginners: Somewhat formal, can be a bit harder than the NIV.
  • Best For: Beginners who want a bit more depth and accuracy, good for study and memorization.

3. New Living Translation (NLT)

  • Style: Very readable, conversational.
  • Strengths: Simple and clear language, ideal for new readers of the Bible.
  • Challenges for Beginners: Focuses on thought-for-thought translation, not word-for-word, so it can simplify certain meanings.
  • Best For: Complete beginners, those new to the Bible, or people looking for an easy-to-read translation.

4. The Message (MSG)

  • Style: Very informal, modern-day language, paraphrase.
  • Strengths: Easy to understand, feels like a conversation.
  • Challenges for Beginners: It’s a paraphrase, so it’s more of a summary than a precise translation, which can lead to lost details or incorrect theology.
  • Best For: People looking for a very easy and fresh way to understand the Bible’s main ideas.

5. King James Version (KJV)

  • Style: Traditional, poetic, and formal language.
  • Strengths: Beautiful, classic English; rich in history and literary significance.
  • Challenges for Beginners: Older, archaic words (e.g., “thee,” “thou”) can be hard to understand.
  • Best For: Those interested in literary style or who have some background in Bible study.

6. New King James Version (NKJV)

  • Style: Modernised version of KJV, still maintains a formal tone.
  • Strengths: Keeps much of the poetic feel of the KJV, but easier to read.
  • Challenges for Beginners: Some complex sentence structures, but less difficult than KJV.
  • Best For: People who like the KJV but want more clarity.

7. Christian Standard Bible (CSB)

  • Style: Clear, readable, and fairly literal.
  • Strengths: Accurate and straightforward, good balance between formal and informal language.
  • Challenges for Beginners: A little more formal than the NIV, but still very readable.
  • Best For: Beginners who want a reliable, readable translation that’s good for both study and devotion.

8. Good News Translation (GNT)

  • Style: Very simple and straightforward, “thought-for-thought” translation.
  • Strengths: Extremely easy to understand, great for those just starting to read the Bible.
  • Challenges for Beginners: Simplifies things too much at times, so it can lose some of the original meaning.
  • Best For: Very new readers, children, or those who struggle with complex language.

Which One Is Best for Beginners?

Best Choices for Beginners:

  • New Living Translation (NLT): Simple, easy-to-read, and clear.
  • New International Version (NIV): Popular, readable, and widely accepted.
  • Good News Translation (GNT): Very easy language, great for first-time readers.

These translations balance readability with accuracy, making them good options for someone just starting out with Bible reading.

If you’re more serious about Bible study, the ESV or CSB would be good options as they offer both readability and accuracy.

Why are there so many options?

The Bible was not written in English, which means translations have been necessary for us to understand what is written. The Old Testament was written in Hebrew, and the New Testament was written in Greek.

The difficulty lies in language where there are no direct meaning translations for words, and where language has developed over time to give words other meanings. There is no one ‘right’ translation, though some are better for more literal interpretations and others better for daily meditation and inspiration.

If you want to go directly to the root of specific passages and words, you can add a Strongs Concordance and Vines Dictionary to your study kit. The Strongs Exhaustive Concordance cross-references every word of the KJV to the original Hebrew so you can see what the original words were. The Vines Expository Dictionary is a word study resource that helps you understand the meaning of each word in its original language.

Tools and Resources To Get Started on a Bible Study

You don’t have to study the Bible alone – and there are lots of great resources to help!

Here are 3 ways to make studying the Bible easier

1. Get involved in Church and Small Groups

Every Sunday at church, someone will share a sermon based out of the Bible. Listening to someone breakdown scripture and share what they’ve been learning is an excellent way to learn to do this yourself.

Fellowship in small groups is another way to make studying the Bible easier. These groups, often called connect groups, life groups or study groups, meet throughout the week to study the Bible and pray together. Studying the Bible in a group setting like this can also help you get started in delving into God’s Word.

2. Start a reading plan

There are so many resources to help your Bible Study process. From theology books, to Bible commentary resources that give you the historical context of different aspects of the Bible, you aren’t having to study the Bible on your own!

A reading plan is a great place to start. You can find Bible reading plans on the YouVersion Bible app, Trash Your Bible, or the Bible Project – just to list a few. The One Year Bible by the Bible Project is a great way to get through the Bible and cover everything at a manageable pace, and one we often recommend if you’re new to faith and starting to immerse yourself in Bible study.

3. Do a Bible Course

There are a wide range of Bible Courses you can study to deepen your understanding of God’s Word. Whether you want to do single modules to unpack something (like a Gospel Book or a certain theme through the Bible), or whether you want to do a full theology course – there are lots of Bible study options.

At C3 Powerhouse we are re-launching our Bible College in 2025, and this provides a great place each week to study deeper in the Word. Contact us for more information about what’s involved in Bible College.

Methods to Start Studying the Bible

If a Bible reading plan isn’t what you’re looking for, here are some basic methods of Bible study that may help in your daily readings to help you understand, and take in the messages of the Bible.

The SOAP Method (Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer):

Scripture involves reading a passage and writing out 1–2 specific verses by hand. Observation includes asking questions about the text (who, what, where, when, how), followed by Application, where you consider how to respond to what you’ve read, and Prayer, thanking God for His revelation and seeking His help to live according to His Word.

The TEXT Method (Talk, Encounter, eXamine, Talk):

Begin by talking to God in prayer before you read, then encounter God and humanity in Scripture by reflecting on what the passage reveals about both. Examine your heart for areas to confess, adjust, or affirm as a follower of Jesus, and finish by thanking God for His insights and sharing them with others.

Journalling and Note-Taking:

  • Prepare: Find a quiet space, gather your Bible, journal, and study tools, and begin with prayer for understanding and guidance.
  • Read and Reflect: Read the passage slowly, paying attention to key details and re-reading as needed, and write out 1–2 key verses by hand.
  • Observe and Take Notes: Ask questions (who, what, why, etc.) about the passage, and note any insights, patterns, or themes that stand out.
  • Apply: Reflect on how the passage applies to your life, write down practical steps, and consider what needs to change or be confessed.
  • Journal and Review: Record your personal thoughts, prayers, and a summary of key takeaways, then review your notes regularly for growth and reflection.

Incorporating Prayer into Bible Study

Prayer goes hand in hand with Bible Study. As you open the Bible, God is ready to speak to you.

If you are having trouble understanding God’s Word, one of the simplest things you can do is to pray, and ask the Holy Spirit to bring understanding. The Bible is the living, breathing Word of God, and even though it was written many years ago, it can still come alive as you read it and as He speaks to you through it.

Be encouraged that God wants to speak to you, and wants you to understand the Bible as you study it. It’s not something God has made complicated to be a secret. Pray and ask Him to help you, and invite the Holy Spirit into your Bible study time.

Frequently Asked Questions

What version of the Bible should I use?

If you’re just starting out, find an easy to read version like the New Living Translation (NLT) or the New International Version (NIV).

How do I choose a study plan?

There are lots of Bible study plans and Bible reading plans to choose from, so you should be able to find something that will match your life situation, where you are up to in your spiritual development and topics of interest.

If you’re struggling to find a study plan, pray and ask God to help you, and talk to a leader at your church who can also help direct you to more resources to help you.

What books of the Bible should I start with?

We usually recommend new Christians start in the New Testament with the Gospel books. These introduce you to Jesus, who the whole Bible is centered around.

The One Year Bible is another great Bible Study option that gives you a little of the Old and New testament everyday, helping you cover the whole Bible while not getting bogged down in harder to understand books, making it less daunting and much easier for people new to the Bible to break down.

Should I join a study group?

Absolutely! Bible discussion, fellowship and walking life together is the way God intended us to live a Christian life.

The Bible says, ‘As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. ‘ Proverbs 27:17 (NIV). Studying the Bible with other Christians is a great way to grow your understanding and develop your faith.

How much time should I dedicate daily?

This will vary from person to person, as a retiree will have a different capacity to a young mother, who will have a vastly different schedule to a high school student. The best guide is to start with 10-15 minutes a day to develop a routine and habit of spending time in God’s Word, and grow from there into whatever God is calling you to. He loves to speak to you through His word, so start setting time aside and hear what He has to say!

Want to learn more about God and the Bible?

At C3 Powerhouse, we love helping you discover more about God and His Word!

From our recent preaching series on the Bible on YouTube, to our formal Bible College and small Bible study groups, we have a varied range of strategies to help you connect with God’s Word.

If you have a question, or are looking for direction on what to study – whether you are a beginner or a long-time Christian, ask someone at church this Sunday about joining a study group, or ask a leader for advice on where to start.