What is the Bible?
The Bible is a collection of 66 books written over centuries by different people, but we believe it has one ultimate source, God.
The Bible is split into two main parts, the Old Testament and the New Testament.
The Old Testament tells the story of creation, humanity, and God’s relationship with His people throughout history.
The New Testament focuses on the life of Jesus, His teachings, His death and resurrection, and the beginning of the early church.
Reading the Bible will help you understand who God is, what He is like, and how to live a life connected to Him.
Starting to read your Bible
Start simple. You don’t need to understand everything at once. The goal is to get to know God, not to rush through pages without understanding.
A good place to begin is the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John), specifically the book of John in the New Testament as it focuses on the life of Jesus and will help you understand who He is in a clear way.
Read a small section at a time, even just a few verses or a chapter. Take your time and don’t stress about what you don’t understand straight away. As you read, think about what it shows you about God, what it says about people, and what it might mean for your own life. It can also help to pray before you read. Ask God to help you understand what you’re reading and to speak to you through it.
You don’t need to be perfect at it. Just be consistent, be honest, and stay open.
SOAP method
The SOAP method is a simple way to read and understand the Bible in a more personal and practical way.
S – Scripture
Read a short passage from the Bible and write down a verse or sentence that stands out to you.
O – Observation
Think about what is actually happening in the passage. What is it saying? Who is it about? What stands out?
A – Application
Ask yourself what this means for your own life. Is there something to change, believe, or act on?
P – Prayer
Talk to God about what you just read. Be honest. Ask Him to help you understand it and live it out.
This method helps you slow down and actually reflect on what you’re reading, instead of just rushing through it.