Reading the Bible can feel overwhelming, confusing, or even uninteresting, despite its importance in the Christian faith. Many people genuinely want to read it but struggle with where to start, how to understand it, or how to make time for it.
Not knowing where to start
The Bible contains sixty-six books, which can make it overwhelming to know where to begin. Should you start in the Old Testament or the New? When does Jesus appear? Is the Old Testament necessary, or can you skip ahead? Do the prophecies matter? And will the New Testament even make sense without the Old? On top of this, people often receive conflicting advice about where to start, which can leave them feeling stuck before they even begin.
Finding it boring
Many people open the Bible with good intentions but quickly find themselves distracted—checking their phone, losing focus, or being interrupted at the worst possible moment. You’re not alone in this. While the Bible may not always seem exciting at first glance, it is actually filled with rich stories, real human struggles, and intense drama. Sometimes it takes time, context, and consistency for its depth to become clear.
Finding it hard to understand
The Bible includes miraculous events and concepts that go beyond our modern understanding of the world. It was written for an ancient audience, using language, customs, and assumptions that may feel unfamiliar today. Because of this, parts of it can seem confusing or disconnected from everyday life. Reading a modern translation alongside helpful commentary or study notes can make a significant difference.
Feeling too busy
Modern life is full of distractions competing for our attention 24/7. Work, school, friendships, side hustles, marriage, children, church responsibilities, and constant digital noise can easily crowd out quiet time. It’s not that we don’t value the Bible—it’s often that everything else feels more urgent. Over time, however, these distractions can pull our focus away from the One who matters most.
Thinking it isn’t relevant
The Bible is an ancient collection of writings, many of them over 2,000 years old, written in different languages and cultural settings. It’s natural to wonder how something written for people in such a different time could still apply today. Without understanding its historical context and overarching message, it can feel distant or outdated—even though its themes of purpose, identity, justice, suffering, love, and hope remain deeply relevant. It’s important to note God is the same yesterday, today and forevermore and that the Bible is how we know who He is. His interactions with humanity throughout time and over generations.