In this guide, I want to offer you a fresh, accessible understanding of what the Bible is (and what it isn’t), how to approach it with care, my favorite study methods, and some go-to resources. My hope is that it blesses you deeply as you read and engage with Scripture—not just as a habit, but as a transformative journey.
Note: This guide features links of which some of them I make comission off of. I want to disclose this to you but also HIGHLY encourage you to shop small, local and within your personal budget. Some of my favorite bible resources have been thrift store treasures. Happy Studying!
Let’s Be Honest: The Bible Isn’t Easy
The Bible is not a simple book. It’s not a children's storybook, a self-help manual, or a list of tidy dos and don’ts. And it’s definitely not something you can just pick up and “get” right away.
It was never meant to be. The Bible is an ancient, sacred library written over centuries by poets, prophets, visionaries, and storytellers each shaped by their own culture, worldview, and lived experience of God.
Some scholars spend their entire lives studying Scripture. They learn Hebrew and Greek, analyze literary forms, dive into ancient cultures and still walk away saying, “I’ve barely scratched the surface.”
And yet… so many of us were told to just read it!
“Read it for 30 minutes every day!”
“Open it up and see what speaks to you!”
“Find something that applies to your day!”
I’ve got a big problem with that kind of approach…
While yes, I believe God can speak supernaturally through anything—including a random verse you stumble across—being a good steward of Scripture means slowing down and putting in the work.
It means asking thoughtful questions:
What kind of text is this?
What was the author saying to their audience?
What’s the cultural and historical context?
How does this fit into the bigger story Scripture is telling?
Because yes—the Bible is complex. But it’s also unified. It tells one big story, and that story leads us to Jesus.
What Is the Bible?
First, the Bible is not one book—it’s a collection of books, written across thousands of years, by dozens of authors. It includes a wide range of literary genres, and each needs to be read on its own terms:
Narrative – stories revealing God through real history
Law – ancient guidelines for a specific people and time
Poetry – full of emotion, metaphor, and artistry
Letters – written to real churches with real problems
Prophecy – often poetic, calling people back to justice
Apocalyptic – vivid, symbolic imagery meant to reveal, not confuse
Wisdom literature – reflections on life, not guarantees
Reading these genres as if they were all the same is like reading a poem the way you’d read a cookbook—you might get the words, but you’ll completely miss the point. And you definitely won’t get a cake.
To read the Bible well is to read with curiosity and care.
To honor its depth.
To respect its context.
To let it form you, not flatten you.
How to Read It (Well)
Reading the Bible is both an act of devotion and discernment.
It’s sacred, yes—but it’s not meant to be consumed passively or interpre`ted uncritically.
Because Scripture was written across centuries, in different cultures, with different purposes, we have to come to it with humility and openness.
Let’s clarify a few things:
Reading as obedience doesn’t mean reading without intention.
Reading critically doesn’t mean reading with cynicism.
Reading for application doesn’t mean reading without understanding.
Reading with faith doesn’t mean reading without questions.
When we honor the Bible’s nuance, diversity, and literary beauty, we give it the space to do what it was meant to do:
Not control us.
Not crush us.
Not make us all think the same.
But draw us into the ongoing, Spirit-led story of redemption, justice, mercy, and love.
So yes—read with your heart wide open.
But also read with your brain turned on.
God isn’t threatened by your questions.
He welcomes them. He meets you in them.
Bible Study Methods
Here are a few of my favorite ways to engage with Scripture, depending on what you're reading and how deeply you want to go:
1. Story-Based Study
Best for: Ruth, Esther, Genesis, Acts
Focus on the plot, characters, and God’s movement in real lives.
Ask: Where is God at work? Who is empowered or silenced? What’s the deeper message?
2. Thematic Study
Best for: Luke, Isaiah, Proverbs, Romans
Choose a theme (justice, grace, women, freedom) and trace it through a book or across several.
Ask: What’s consistent? What changes? How does this theme challenge or shape me today?
3. Verse-by-Verse Study
Best for: Ephesians, James, Galatians
Slow down. Look at key words, context, and theology in small sections.
Ask: What truth is here? How do I live it? How does this interact with the rest of scripture? Where does this verse fit in the context of this book?
4. SOAP Method (Simple, Devotional Approach)
Best for: Psalms, Proverbs
Scripture – Write a key verse
Observation – What stands out?
Application – How does this speak to me?
Prayer – Talk to God about it
5. Inductive Study
Best for: Mark, John, Philippians
A deeper method to sharpen discernment:
Observe: What does it say?
Interpret: What does it mean?
Apply: How does it change me?
6. Word Study
Best for: Any passage with repeated or theologically loaded words
Zoom in on one word (e.g., “grace,” “kingdom,” “love”) using Bible tools or concordances.
Ask: How is this word used elsewhere? What depth does it add? What are the nuances of this word? Is there other historical literature where this word is found?
Tips for Studying Well
Start with prayer—invite the Holy Spirit to guide you.
Read in context—never isolate a verse.
Use multiple translations to get fresh insight.
Ask honest questions—don’t be afraid of doubt or mystery.
Reflect and respond—what will you do with what you’ve read?
Favorite Resources
A Good Study Bible
Try: Zondervan NIV Study Bible
Includes historical and cultural notes alongside the text. It’s like having a Bible scholar on standby.
A Bible Dictionary
Try: Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary or Reader’s Digest Illustrated Concordance
Great for looking up names, terms, or places you don’t recognize.
A Literary Guide
Try: How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth by Fee & Stuart
Explains the different genres and why reading contextually matters.
The Bible Project Short, beautifully animated videos and podcasts that explain books, themes, and literary patterns.
Helps you see Scripture as a unified, Jesus-centered story.
Language Tools
Try: Biblingo (Use Code : SCARLETT10 for a discount) Blue Letter Bible, Bible Hub, or The Interlinear Bible These help you explore the original Hebrew and Greek, even if you’re not a scholar.
History Tools
History In The Bible Gary Stevens (Podcast), Logos Bible Software, Religion For Breakfast (YouTube) To help you understand the historical context and foundation for understanding the Bible.
Daily Guidance + Habit Builders
Following Jesus (App, Books) Blessed App (App) Manna (App)
Compare Bible Translations:
YouVersion Bible Bible Gateway Easy to use Bible Reading platforms that allow you to seamlessly change english Bible Translations
Click Here For Books I Recommend
May this guide help you fall more deeply in love with Scripture—not because it’s easy, but because it’s sacred, rich, and alive.
Let the Bible stretch you, speak to you, challenge you, and draw you nearer to the heart of God.