Do You Want to Read Your Bible More?
I sat in a circle of teenage girls on a Wednesday night and looked at the sheet of paper in my hand. On the white printer sheet were the question prompts. We’d just listened to a youth pastor talk about reading the Bible, about how important it was and why we should.
I asked the girls, “Do you read your Bible?”
Embarrassed smiles split their faces. “I know I should, but…no not really.”
We talked a little more and then I asked. “Do you want to read your Bibles more?”
One girl piped in with an answer that, to this day, I absolutely love. She said, “I want to want to read my Bible more.”
The Problem
I think the two biggest problems we modern girls face when trying to read our Bibles is,
- We don’t know where to start.
- We have a hard time relating to and understanding what we read.
Have you ever felt that way? Have you desired to read your Bible more but didn’t know where to start or found it too hard to understand or grasp once you did?
Problem 1: We don’t know where to start
Did you know that there are 66 books in the Bible split between two sections called the Old Testament and the New Testament? I once heard a pastor say “The Bible isn’t a book, it’s a library of books.”
If that’s the case, where do you start?
In most cases, when we pick up a book we start at the beginning. Unless you’re one of those strange people who like to know the ending first?
Starting at the beginning of the Bible can be challenging. The Bible literally starts at the beginning of creation. Genesis is an engaging book of the Bible. Then we get to Exodus. Exodus can get a little hard to read near the end. Then the third book of the Bible is Leviticus. Leviticus is the hardest book of the Bible for me to read and I’ve been reading my Bible for years.
If that’s the case, where do you start?
Many people suggest starting in the New Testament. [Matthew, Mark, Luke & John] I think this is a great place to start. I find that it’s easier to read parts of the Bible that tell a story. Below are a list of some books of the Bible you can check out that are chalked full of stories.
- Genesis
- Judges
- Ruth
- 1 Samuel
- 2 Samuel
- 1 Kings
- 2 Kings
- Esther
- Matthew
- Mark
- Luke
- John
Starting with any of these books of the Bible will immerse you in story. It will feel like you’re reading a regular book and following the stories of the characters.
This leads us to the second problem we may run into when reading our Bibles.
Problem 2: We have a hard time relating to and understanding what we read.
The Bible is filled with stories, but how can you relate to the very first woman on earth [Eve] or a woman used only for producing children [Hagar] or a virgin mother [Mary]?
It’s important when you decide to read your Bible more to look for context. Meaning, the customs, and cultures in Biblical times are not the same we see today.
For example: Women in the Bible did not have the same rights we have today. Their primary role in society was to produce children.
How can we relate to that? How can we understand?
We can relate by looking at their hearts. Human nature has not changed. We girls are still struggling with the same things we did thousands of years ago. Want to know one of the women I relate to most in the Bible? Can you guess?
The answer is Eve.
Yep, Eve.
How could I relate to Eve? She certainly doesn’t have a great reputation.
I relate to Eve because I see echos of myself in her when I believe the lies of the enemy. Eve swallowed the lie that her life would be better if she ate the fruit the serpent offered. I believed the lie that I would be prettier if I lost weight months before spiraling into anorexia. My heart and Eve’s heart were both deceived by lies.
I can also relate to Ruth who moved from the home she loved to a new home.
I relate to Mary when I trust God even in uncertain circumstances.
I relate to Deborah and Jael when I rise, defend my faith, and find God right where I am.
I relate to so many stories in the Bible because I can see myself reflected in the stories.
The truth is, we can relate to the Bible. Sometimes we just have to look a little deeper than the surface.
How You Can Start Reading Your Bible More Today
After hearing one of the girls in my small group say she wanted to want to read the Bible more I decided to create a resource that would allow her and other modern girls to do the same.
In the following months and year, I wrote Girls Like Me: 12 Short Bible Stories About Biblical Women. Then, because I knew not everyone wants to invest in a Bible reading tool, I decided to give it away along with a 6 day devotional.
Both of these books are free. You can sign-up to get the free PDFs below. But I also want to guide you to other resources. I’m not the only one writing books to help you read your Bible more or connect with the word of God.
I have not personally read all of these books but I have read other books by these authors and love their work.
And if you want another free resource to help you read your Bible more check out the YouVersion Bible app on your phone. The app has hundreds of free studies and devotionals that can help you dig into the word of God.
I’d love to hear if you have other resources that help you read the Bible! Feel free to contact me or find me on social media.