The Bible is more than just a book, it’s a living testament of God’s love—written, preserved, and compiled so that we can know Jesus and his plan for our lives and eternity.

During our Sunday Services on October 6, 13, and 20, our church will go over a series to encourage and empower everyone to read their Bibles together! As a community, we believe regular Bible reading is essential for us to know who Jesus is and follow him wholeheartedly. Join us as we take a deeper look into the Word of God, and find so much more than just good teaching.

As application, we’ve chosen one book of the Bible to meditate on as a church for the next few weeks. Watch the overview of the Book of John from BibleProject, and download a PDF of our Bible Plan so you can print it out or keep it on a device to follow along with what we are reading for each day!

JOIN A BIBLE PLAN GROUP!

In these groups, you’ll find resources, encouragement, and you’ll get to hear from others about what they’re learning, too!

Step 1: Set your intention. What are you committing to do in the next few weeks as you dig deeper into the Bible? Write it down on your bookmark (we will be handing them out at the end of Sunday service on October 6) or on a piece of paper, and place it where you can be reminded daily

Step 2: Read through the three different ways our church will be reading and meditating on the book of John—Foundational, Exploratory, and Comprehensive.

Step 3: Choose how you would like to follow along with our reading plan—it could be what you’re most comfortable with or where you would like to challenge yourself.

Step 4: Download the PDF of our plan, Read My Bible: The Book of John, and follow along the passages for each day. Take some time each day to reflect on two simple questions:

  • How is Jesus’ heart being revealed in this scripture?
  • How are you being challenged to be more Christ-like through this scripture?


Step 5:
Join the corresponding Facebook Group of your choice to find resources, encouragement, and people to read through it with! More instructions will be provided in your groups. We highly recommend joining only ONE group so that you can fully participate in the discussion!

Here are some additional ideas to help set yourself up for success when reading the Bible:

Choose a Consistent Time

Set aside a specific time each day when you are least likely to be interrupted, whether it’s early morning, during lunch, or before bed.

Make it fun!

Reading the Bible was never meant to be boring! Make your time reading fun by preparing—put on your favorite worship music, light a candle, prepare your coffee or tea, or get a new journal with some colorful highlighters and pens. Don’t overcomplicate it, but do something that works for you to make it fun!!

Use Study Aids

Utilize commentaries, study guides, and Bible apps to help understand difficult passages or gain deeper insights. Find links to more resources here!

Have Accountability

Find someone who is further along on their journey, and be accountable to them! Have them check your understanding and interpretation of the passages you’re reading. Be open to their thoughts and suggestions, and ask lots of questions. Talking about what you’re learning with someone else helps the Bible to come alive!

Create a Distraction-Free Environment

Turn off notifications on your phone, find a quiet space, and remove any potential distractions.

Journal Your Emotions and Thoughts

God knows what’s in our minds and hearts, so writing down how we feel and our insights, questions, and applications while we spend time with him is a great way to maximize our time with him. Writing things down also helps you keep track of how he speaks to you in different seasons of your life—it’s so special to look back and see his consistency and faithfulness.

Stay Consistent

Develop a routine and stick to it, even on days when you might feel less motivated.

Pray!

As you read the Bible, ask God to speak to you, show you new things, and give you deeper understanding! When you ask, he the Holy Spirit will speak to your heart and give revelation!

Here are some additional ideas to help set yourself up for success when reading the Bible:

Choose a Consistent Time

Set aside a specific time each day when you are least likely to be interrupted, whether it’s early morning, during lunch, or before bed.

Make it fun!

Reading the Bible was never meant to be boring! Make your time reading fun by preparing—put on your favorite worship music, light a candle, prepare your coffee or tea, or get a new journal with some colorful highlighters and pens. Don’t overcomplicate it, but do something that works for you to make it fun!!

Use Study Aids

Utilize commentaries, study guides, and Bible apps to help understand difficult passages or gain deeper insights. Find links to more resources here!

Have Accountability

Find someone who is further along on their journey, and be accountable to them! Have them check your understanding and interpretation of the passages you’re reading. Be open to their thoughts and suggestions, and ask lots of questions. Talking about what you’re learning with someone else helps the Bible to come alive!

Create a Distraction-Free Environment

Turn off notifications on your phone, find a quiet space, and remove any potential distractions.

Journal Your Emotions and Thoughts

God knows what’s in our minds and hearts, so writing down how we feel and our insights, questions, and applications while we spend time with him is a great way to maximize our time with him. Writing things down also helps you keep track of how he speaks to you in different seasons of your life—it’s so special to look back and see his consistency and faithfulness.

Stay Consistent

Develop a routine and stick to it, even on days when you might feel less motivated.

Pray!

As you read the Bible, ask God to speak to you, show you new things, and give you deeper understanding! When you ask, he the Holy Spirit will speak to your heart and give revelation!

Find out Your Ideal Bible Reading Style

Take this fun quiz to discover which Bible reading group you should join!

A QUICK GUIDE TO BIBLE TRANSLATIONS

When it comes to reading the Bible, you have a variety of translations to choose from, each offering a different approach to the text. Whether you’re new to the Bible or looking to deepen your study, there’s a translation that’s right for you.

Types of Bible Translations

LITERAL (WORD-FOR-WORD):

  • Examples: ESV, NKJV, NASB, AMP, KRV (Korean)
  • Purpose: Translates the original Greek and Hebrew scriptures word-for-word, closely matching the original text.
  • Best For: Academic study and understanding exact meanings, though some cultural references might be harder to grasp.


DYNAMIC (THOUGHT-FOR-THOUGHT):

  • Examples: NIV, NLT, CSB, KLB (Korean)
  • Purpose: Captures the main ideas with clear and accurate language, balancing readability with faithfulness to the original meaning.
  • Best For: Devotional reading and those seeking a blend of accuracy and clarity.


PARAPHRASE (IDEA-FOR-IDEA):

  • Examples: The Message, TLB, KOERV (Korean)
  • Purpose: Focuses on conveying the overall message in simple, contemporary language.
  • Best For: New readers or those wanting a big-picture view, though it’s best read with a more literal or dynamic translation for study.

CHOOSING YOUR BIBLE TRANSLATION

A common question is, “How do I choose the right Bible translation?” The truth is, there’s no right or wrong choice. All translations aim to bring the original languages of the Bible—Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek—into a language we can understand today.

At the end of the day, God can speak to you through any translation of the Bible—scripture is alive and active because the Holy Spirit is! If you’re reading the Bible for the first time, consider starting with a paraphrased translation like The Message, paired with a dynamic translation like NIV. If you prefer simple English, the NLT is a great option. For those who want to dive deeper into the scriptures, the AMP or ESV are excellent choices.

Remember, starting with one translation and switching it up as you go is perfectly okay. You can also use multiple translations at the same time to get different perspectives as you read. Find what works best for you so you can get to know Jesus better!

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES AND LINKS

Consistency comes from commitment and small, intentional choices. If life gets busy, remember why you started, and aim to show up no matter how “little” or “simple” it may seem! Instead of aiming for a full chapter, maybe focus on 5-10 verses each day and reflect on them deeply. Make time in the margins of your day—whether that’s while you’re waiting for coffee to brew or right before bed. Even using an audio Bible while driving or doing daily tasks, when done in the right heart, can draw you closer to Jesus. We’re praying that the habit of reading the Bible would become not just a duty, but a delight!

Absolutely! The beauty of the Bible is that it’s a signpost to the climax of God’s display of his love for us through Jesus. Because the Holy Spirit is alive and active in us, when you re-read a passage or a book, you’ll often notice new insights or connections that didn’t stand out the first time, because he’s speaking to us! John’s gospel is rich with layers, and depending on your season of life, certain verses will hit differently. Reading it again can deepen your relationship with Jesus—there’s always something new to discover.

That’s totally normal! Some passages need extra time and thought. Try to dig into context, use a study Bible, or check out commentaries. And don’t be afraid to ask others for their perspective—reading and understanding the Bible is a team effort! Sometimes a different translation or revisiting the passage later with a fresh perspective can make a big difference.

Don’t stress! Life happens, and sometimes we miss a day or two. Instead of playing catch-up and overwhelming yourself, just pick up where you left off. God isn’t keeping score—what matters is your heart posture in seeking him. Stay committed to the journey, and remember, it’s about progress, not perfection.

While we’re learning more about how the Bible points to Jesus, our kids won’t be left out! They’ll have their own age-appropriate activities and lessons.

First off, congrats on finishing John—it’s such a powerful gospel! A great next step could be the book of Acts. Since John’s gospel gives us a close look at Jesus, Acts picks up with the early church and how the disciples carry out Jesus’ mission. You’ll get to see the Holy Spirit at work and how the gospel spreads beyond Jerusalem. Another option? Circle back to one of the other Gospels (like Mark or Matthew) for a different perspective on Jesus’ life. If you’re really not sure, maybe try a guided reading plan on apps like YouVersion. Pray about where to go next and let the Spirit lead!

Whatever helps you stay consistent is great! Our experience with Bibles being digital can sometimes mean that they are on devices where we receive notifications can easily get distracted, but if a digital Bible or app works for you, use it—many have reading plans and helpful notes. Audio Bibles are fantastic! They allow you to listen on the go, and God’s word is just as powerful when heard. The goal is engaging with Scripture, not the format!

There are tons of resources! Study Bibles, commentaries, and Bible dictionaries are great for context. Websites like BibleGatewayBlue Letter Bible, and BibleProject offer free tools and videos to break things down. You can also find podcasts or online sermons that dive into specific books or themes. If you’re not sure about a resource, don’t hesitate to ask about its credibility before diving into it for insight! Whatever route you take, these tools should help you go deeper in your Bible reading.

Context is key! Start by understanding the author, audience, and purpose of the book. Study Bibles usually have intro sections that provide this info. You can also use commentaries or websites like Bible Hub to explore historical and cultural background. Knowing the “why” and “when” behind the text makes it come alive!

There’s plenty of evidence that supports the Bible’s reliability! From archaeological finds to the way ancient manuscripts have been preserved over time, it holds up. If you’re interested in digging into this more, look into resources like “The Case for Christ” by Lee Strobel or check out websites like BibleArchaeology.org. The Bible’s accuracy has been affirmed through history, but ultimately, it’s also about trusting in God’s Spirit to guide you as you read.