TIP #5: Make a Commitment to Read the Whole Bible (or at least the New Testament)Yes, I’m circling back to Tip #1 – to understand any book, it is best to read the whole thing.

Resources abound to help you do this. Bible Reading Plans are a good place to start, so search online and find one that you like. Then… Go For It! By the grace of God and for the glory of God, it can be done.

Here’s how I’ve been approaching the task to read the whole Bible. For several years I’ve been reading the entire New Testament in a year. This can be done by reading one chapter a day, five days a week. Then, every two or three years, I read both the Old Testament and the New Testament in a year. This is how I’ve been doing it for the past 15 years, and it has worked well for me.

If you’re new to the Bible or if reading the entire Book seems too intimidating right now, why not start with the New Testament? Eventually, though, you’ll want to read both Testaments; your understanding of the New Testament will skyrocket to a new level when you read and understand the Old Testament. And when was the last time you read only the last 25% of a book?

TIP #6: Get Help to Understand What You ReadRegardless of how you read it, take advantage of the many wonderful resources that can aid in your understanding of the Bible. God has given the Church many gifts. One of those gifts is knowledgeable Bible teachers who have spent years studying the Bible so they can help God’s people to comprehend it.

The Bible is both one Book and a Book of Books. As you read through the Bible, take time to get the big picture of each individual book. A good study Bible should have an introduction and an outline of each book, which you would do well to read and use to navigate that particular book. Another important aspect of the Bible is the variety of literary genres which are found in Scripture. Again, find a study Bible to help you learn what these genres are and how they differ.