Reading Scripture
We invite you to explore a variety of resources. We have categorized them by activity, and they represent a variety of approaches to living a Christian life. This menu is not designed as a “to-do” list, but rather as an offering for individuals to sample and find the activities that bring them closer to God in this particular practice.
Reading the Bible, the written Word of God, is an essential faith practice for all Christians. We don’t just read the Scriptures for information, but we seek to engage with the words as God’s invitation into relationship. Whether you are opening the Good Book for the first time, or you are looking to connect with the God-inspired texts in new ways, we invite you to try some of the resources here.
“Place these words on your hearts. Get them deep inside you. Tie them on your hands and foreheads as a reminder. Teach them to your children. Talk about them wherever you are, sitting at home or walking in the street; talk about them from the time you get up in the morning until you fall into bed at night. Inscribe them on the doorposts and gates of your cities so that you’ll live a long time, and your children with you, on the soil that God promised to give your ancestors for as long as there is a sky over the Earth.”
Watch
Bible Project:
This is a starter video series that helps you read the Bible while understanding its unique design and literary devices. (1 min)
Bible Project:
Did you know that the public reading of Scripture played a highly important role throughout the Bible? Learn about why this is a significant practice for the people of God. (3.5 min)
FullerStudio:
Joel Green, provost and dean of the School of Theology, reflects on the devotional practice of reading scripture and shares his views on academic work as discipleship and formation for the whole person. (2 min)
Read
Choosing a Translation
Reading the Bible in our own language is a blessing! There are many translations of the Bible to choose—sometimes we use a variety of translations to find the words that speak to us clearly in a given passage.
More on choosing a translation >>
The Path (Forward Movement): A 345-page story of the Bible, using excerpted text from the NRSV to make a readable and accessible overview.
The New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) is the one we read in worship services, and our go-to translation.
The New International Version (NIV) is currently one of the most popular translations, balanced between being literal and readable.
The Message (MSG) is another favorite of ours—a newer translation by Eugene Peterson that is designed to speak to us in the words and cadence of our modern language.
For Bible options for children, check out our Resource Page >>
To try out or compare a favorite verse in different translations, try Bible Gateway! Simply enter the verse, then choose a translation from the drop-down menu. We also recommend choosing at least one Study Bible—footnotes and introductions are very helpful when reading!
Reading about Engaging Scripture
How We Read the Bible by Matt Laidlaw
Although written for youth ministers and small group leaders, this book does a great job of reminding all of us that God’s Word is always relevant and transformational.
Inspired: Slaying Giants, Walking on Water, and Loving the Bible Again by Rachel Held Evans
If the Bible isn't a science book or an instruction manual, then what is it? What do people mean when they say the Bible is inspired? When Rachel Held Evans found herself asking these questions, she began a quest to better understand what the Bible is and how it is meant to be read. What she discovered changed her--and it will change you too.
Eat This Book: A Conversation in the Art of Spiritual Reading by Eugene Peterson
This book challenges us to read the Scriptures on their own terms, as God’s revelation, and to live them as we read them. In these pages he draws readers into a fascinating conversation on the nature of language, the ancient practice of lectio divina, and the role of Scripture translations; included here is the “inside story” behind Peterson’s own popular Bible translation, The Message.
Do
Where Do I Start?
We recommend the Bible Project as a great resource for first-time and long-time Bible readers alike. They have a variety of reading plans, plus fresh and accessible videos that introduce each book of the Bible and explore many themes of the Bible.
Learn more about the Bible Project >>
Fuller Studios also has an extensive series of short, introductory videos for each book of the Bible. This series features 40 diverse and expert voices from the Fuller faculty.
Learn more about Introductions to the Books of the Bible >>
Dwelling in the Word
A short and adaptable Bible study that works for individuals, families, and small groups. Use the Bible passages here, or choose your own. Children can read from their own story versions, too!
Lectio Divina
Lectio Divina is an ancient spiritual practice from the Christian monastic tradition. In Lectio Divina, we seek to experience the presence of God through reading and listening, prayer, meditation and contemplation.
The Bible Challenge
A resource of the Center for Biblical Studies, this site offers reading plans and suggestions for engaging directly with Scripture on a regular basis, to grow as disciples of Jesus Christ.
Join us as we explore the sweeping drama and interpersonal relationships in the Book of Genesis. Using the lens of Pain, Power, and Praise, we will gather most Tuesdays in Lent and Easter for a simple but profound study of the first book of the Bible.
Tuesdays, beginning February 23 / 7:00 pm / Zoom
Register once and attend any or all sessions.
Engage
Try out one or more of these approaches to guide your Bible reading
I Wonder…
…what do you wonder about this story?
…why people acted as they did in this story?
…what you would do if you were in this story?
…what God is saying today?
Listening for Perspective
Every time we read Scripture, we learn something new from it. This resource from Illustrated Ministry helps us explore a chosen Bible passage. Listening for Perspective >>
S.O.A.P.
Scripture: read a passage of Scripture
Observation: how God is revealed in this
Application: how this passage applies to your life today
Prayer: in response to this Scripture
Pain, Power, & Praise
Where is the pain in this passage?
Where is the power? In other words, who has power in the passage and who doesn’t, and how does that affect them?
Where is the praise? In other words, where is the good news of the gospel in the passage?
For Families of Children and Teenagers
Many of the resources throughout this page can work with children as well as adults, with some minor adjustment as needed. Here are a few articles specifically aimed at parents of children and teenagers:
What If All We Did Was Tell Our Kids the Story? (Grow Christians) >>
Don’t worry about having all the info—just start with the story and go from there.Seven Steps to Reading the Bible with Kids (Grow Christians) >>
A helpful starting point for reading the Bible as a family.Engaging the Bible Together as a Family (Fuller Youth Institute) >>
Great, doable tips and suggestions for engaging children and youth in reading and interacting with Scripture.Family Bible Study: Taking Root (Grow Christians) >>
Part of a series of articles that looks realistically but optimistically at establishing a family Bible study at home.
Pray
“Blessed Lord, who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.”
