Dear Searching One,

You ask one of the best questions possible! Every Christian needs to understand the Bible or as I call it our manual for success. There is no true good success outside of the Bible. Here are a few tips that I hope help.

First, have a good study Bible that has a lot of clarifications and explanations. I like The Spirit-filled Life Bible in The New King James Version (translation). It is full of explanations and defines some of the Hebrew/Greek words to bring more understanding. 

Before I became a Christian, I had never once read the Bible. I was curious so I started to read it. I gave my heart to Christ while reading the Bible, so I know personally how alive God’s Word truly is! For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Hebrews 4:12 Then after I became a child of God, I had the person of the Holy Spirit living in me and He brought me clear understanding of God’s very words. If you are born again, you have the Holy Spirit living in you to help you understand what you read.

There is a huge difference between scanning the Bible and slowly reading it, then stopping and chewing on what you just read. It takes time to fully process what you read. If you read it to see truth, you will see it. If you read it to find fault, you will never understand truth and your life will not be changed. 

So besides having a good study Bible and being born again and filled with the Holy Spirit, attend a good Spirit-filled Bible-preaching Church. A church where the pastor teaches/preaches from the Bible, explaining the Scripture while you follow along in your Bible. Then go home and study again the Scriptures he/she used. You’ll be amazed how God’s Word comes to life for you. And remember, once Scripture shows you what God is asking of you, be sure to obey what it says in order to live a God-filled life. 

Jesus said, I have come that they (you) may have life, and that they (you) may have it more abundantly. John 10:10b