Bible basics
Bible study for beginners: a simple method that works
You don't need a seminary degree to understand the Bible. You need a place to start, a simple method and the patience to read slowly. This guide gives you all three.
How the Bible is organized
The Bible is a library of 66 books written over many centuries. The Old Testament (39 books) tells the story of creation and Israel; the New Testament (27 books) tells the story of Jesus and the early church.
Chapter and verse numbers were added much later so readers could find the same sentence. "John 3:16" means the book of John, chapter 3, verse 16.
A four-step method for any passage
Use these four questions every time. Write short answers if it helps.
- Read: read the passage twice, slowly. Read the verses before and after it too.
- Observe: who is speaking, to whom, and what is happening?
- Understand: what did this mean to the first readers? What does it show about God?
- Apply: what is one thing this asks of me today?
Where beginners should start
Start with the Gospel of Mark for the life of Jesus, then read Proverbs a few verses at a time for practical wisdom, and use Psalms as a guide for prayer. Leave the harder prophetic books for later.
Common beginner mistakes
- Reading single verses without their context.
- Trying to read too much at once and quitting.
- Treating commentary or notes as if they were the Bible text.
- Skipping the question of what the passage meant to its first readers.
Scripture · World English Bible
“Now these were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.”
Acts 17:11 (WEB)
“Give diligence to present yourself approved by God, a workman who doesn’t need to be ashamed, properly handling the Word of Truth.”
2 Timothy 2:15 (WEB)
Common questions
Which Bible translation is best for beginners?
Choose a complete, readable modern translation. FORGED uses the World English Bible, a modern public-domain translation, and always names it next to each verse.
How much should a beginner read each day?
A short passage of five to fifteen verses is plenty. Understanding a little is better than skimming a lot.
What if I don't understand a word?
Look it up in a glossary. FORGED's free Bible Words glossary explains more than 100 terms, people, places and books in plain English.