From Jim’s Heart—How to Read Your Bible

Here are some quick tips to increase your understanding of the Bible. Enjoy!

  1. Choose a translation you can understand. There are many good modern translations you can use without having to stumble over difficult terms or archaic language.
  1. Don’t try to see how fast you can read your Bible. Read at your normal rate or even slower. Don’t read just to see how fast you can turn the pages or finish a chapter. Read to have your life changed. Read for wisdom and encouragement. Read for greater understanding. Read so that tomorrow or maybe even a year from now, you’ll remember what you read today. Be a thoughtful reader, and not just a quick skimmer.
  1. Read with a pen or pencil in hand. Underline passages or words that stand out to you. If you don’t understand something, put a question mark beside it so you can research it later. Write an exclamation point in the margin for something that excites you, or a star next to verses you want to remember or read again. If you are nervous about marking your Bible, don’t be. It’s not the physical ink and paper that’s sacred, but God’s message itself. God wants you to understand your Bible, so go ahead and mark it! All your interaction with a pen or pencil will help you to better grasp God’s message to you.
  1. Always read Bible verses with the surrounding passages in mind. Keep asking, what happened in the section before the passage you are currently reading. If you have a study Bible, read the explanatory notes and comments. If the book of the Bible you are reading has an introduction, read what it says.
  1. Check a dictionary for words you don’t understand. Or use your cell phone or computer to check out the words you’re unsure of. This will build your vocabulary and help you better understand what you are reading.
  1. Stop at the end of each paragraph and pinpoint the main idea. It takes only a few seconds to ask yourself, “What was this paragraph about?” Then as you string the paragraphs together and determine what each one is about, you’ll get a better sense for the main message of the passage you are reading.

Good observation isn’t just about the simple mechanics of reading the words themselves. It’s about reading for understanding.

Read From Jim’s Heart—How to Read Your Bible on Elizabeth & Jim George.


Leave a comment

Comments will be approved before showing up.

Jim and Elizabeth George

Jim and Elizabeth George are bestselling authors and national speakers dedicated to helping people live a life after God’s own heart. Together, they have written over 150 books with more than 14 million copies sold around the world. For over 35 years, the teachings and steadfast example of Elizabeth and Jim have helped countless men and women:

  • Simplify life by focusing on God’s priorities.
  • Appreciate God’s Word and apply it to everyday situations.
  • Respond to circumstances with confidence by seeing yourself through God’s loving eyes.
  • Increase closeness in marriage by serving and honoring each other.
  • Powerfully shape the hearts of children and teenagers.
  • Enjoy greater intimacy with God.

Learn more about Jim and Elizabeth George here.

Jim and Elizabeth George

Jim and Elizabeth George are bestselling authors and national speakers dedicated to helping people live a life after God’s own heart. Together, they have written over 150 books with more than 14 million copies sold around the world. For over 35 years, the teachings and steadfast example of Elizabeth and Jim have helped countless men and women:

  • Simplify life by focusing on God’s priorities.
  • Appreciate God’s Word and apply it to everyday situations.
  • Respond to circumstances with confidence by seeing yourself through God’s loving eyes.
  • Increase closeness in marriage by serving and honoring each other.
  • Powerfully shape the hearts of children and teenagers.
  • Enjoy greater intimacy with God.

Learn more about Jim and Elizabeth George here.


Also in From Our Hearts

Getting to the Heart of God's Word by Elizabeth George
The Heart of God’s Word

by Elizabeth George July 23, 2024

My girls are 13 months apart, which means that during their early years, I often felt like I had twins. I had to really be on my toes-there was little-or-no catching of mistakes I made on the older child so that they wouldn’t be repeated with the younger one. What I was—or wasn’t—doing to love and raise my children was being done to both of them at the same time. 

Read More
Scriptures on Faith, Bible scriptures to memorize
Take Time to Memorize Scripture

by Elizabeth George July 09, 2024

Most of us have no problem memorizing the lyrics to our favorite songs. Sometimes we know them so well, or they're so deeply ingrained in our minds, that they get stuck in our heads. The moment certain songs come on you'll see people rocking in the car or singing along.

Read More
Listening for God's Voice
Listening for God's Voice

by Elizabeth George June 25, 2024

Romans 5:5 tells us, “And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” If we allow Him to, the Lord will use everyday things to speak His words of wisdom to our hearts.
Read More