How to Read Bible Verses

Analyzing the Verses

Read the Bible verses aloud. Listen to how the verses sound. Notice any words or terms that are repeated in the verses, as they are usually important. Think about what emotions or thoughts you have when you listen to the verses aloud. You may also find it useful to listen to audio recordings of Bible verses. Many books in the Bible, such as the Letters from Paul, were originally read aloud to a congregation, rather than written down. Listening to audio recordings may deepen your understanding of the verses and experience them as they were originally intended. Look for audio recordings of the Bible at your local library or online.

Identify the type of literature used in the verses. There are several different types of literature in the books of the Bible, ranging from laws and rules to history, songs, proverbs, letters, and Gospels. There are also different types of literature in the verses themselves, such as prose, parables, prophecies, and genealogies. Identifying the literature used in the verses can help you better understand them. For example, if you are reading verses that describe the details and events of Jesus’ birth in the book of Luke, you would be looking at prose. If you are reading verses that use poetic language and short phrases, you are likely reading poetry. You may also come across parables that describe a short scene and ask rhetorical questions or end with a clear lesson.

Place the verses in the context of the rest of the passage. Look at the verses around the verses you are studying. Consider how the surrounding verses set up the verses you are looking at. Check for any information on who wrote the passage as well as who it was written for in the surrounding verses. You may also be able to find information on why it was written and the topic the author was trying to address or explore. For example, if you are reading verses that describe Jesus’ birth, check the surrounding verses for any details about events that lead to Jesus’ birth or an introduction by the author.

Determine the key ideas and questions in the verses. Think about what ideas or concepts the verses are highlighting and discussing. Underline or circle keywords that relate to an idea or concept. Look for any phrases or words that raise questions for you. Spend time pulling the verses apart so you can better understand them. For example, you may focus on a specific phrase like “I will fear no evil, for you are with me” to determine the key idea in the verses. You may then ask questions about the phrase, such as “Who is the ‘you’ and the ‘me’ in the phrase?” “What does this phrase say about my relationship to God?” “What evils do I fear or worry about in my life?”

Interpret the verses using the logic and culture of the past. Avoid trying to impose your modern understanding on the verses. Instead, think about the traditions, customs, and culture of the time the verses were composed. Recognize the cultural differences between now and then. Put yourself in the shoes of someone in the past and read the verses metaphorically, rather than literally. For example, you may analyze a verse like, “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God” by considering the importance of chariots and horses in the time the verse was written. Think about how you can interpret older ideas or terms using a modern perspective.

Pray on the verses. Once you have read and considered the verses closely, take some time to pray on it. Close your eyes and place your hands in prayer or over the verses. Ask God for guidance on the verses. Think about how God might want you to interpret and understand them. You may find it useful to pray often on the verses as you read the Bible. This can deepen your spiritual practice and make you feel closer to God as you read.

Selecting Verses to Read

Locate verses using the book name, the chapter number and the verse number. The Bible is broken into several books that have been bound together. The books are then separated into numbered chapters and verses. The chapters and verses have been put in place by scholars to make finding a passage in the Bible easier. To look up a particular Bible verse, search for the name of the book. Then, check for the chapter number and the verse numbers. For example, if you are trying to find Proverbs 31:25-27, you would look in the book of Proverbs for chapter 31, verse 25-27. Keep in mind that from a spiritual perspective, the chapter and verse numbers do not have any significance on the meaning of the verses. They are strictly there to make locating particular verses easier.

Look at Bible verses in the Gospels to understand Jesus’ life and ministry. The Gospels are made up of four books, the Gospel of Matthew, the Gospel of Mark, the Gospel of Luke, and the Gospel of John. Each book is composed and compiled by a disciple of Jesus. The Gospels focus on the life of Jesus as well as his approach to spirituality and religion. You may start with a few verses from one of the Gospels to deepen your understanding of Jesus’ life and teachings. They are often a good option if you are new to reading Bible verses.

Choose verses based on a theme. You may want to read Bible verses that focus on themes like hope, love, healing, or fear. Or you may look at specific themes like family relationships or a crisis of faith. Look online for verses that focus on a theme you are interested. Alternatively, you could speak to your priest, pastor, or spiritual guide for direction on verses that relate to a theme. You can also scan the Bible for verses that contain terms like “hope,” “love,” “healing,” or “fear.”

Pick verses at random for spontaneous reading. Sometimes it can be useful to simply open your Bible and choose a verse randomly. This can add spontaneity to your reading and allow you to discover new verses. It can also be a good way for you to challenge yourself by diving into a close reading without overthinking it. You may try picking Bible verses at random to read and analyze once a day so you can spend more time with the Bible. This can also broaden your faith and deepen your understanding of the Bible as a text.

Use a chronological Bible if you want to understand the order of events. The Bible is not organized chronologically, so it will skip around in time. If you’d prefer to understand the order of events discussed in the Bible, look for a chronological one at your local Bible store or online. It will be reordered so the events are in sequence. This may be useful if you are new to reading the Bible and would like to make understanding the sequence of events in the text easier.

Follow a Bible reading schedule. The Bible can be overwhelming to read all at once. Take it one book or chapter at a time so you can do a thorough reading. You may create a schedule where you work your way through one book over the course of several months or a year. You can also try reading the Bible based on a theme for several years to deepen your spiritual practice. Try reading one book of the Bible in one sitting or over the period of several days, as they were designed to be read all at once.

Applying the Verses to Your Life

Carry the verses with you and refer to them when you need them. Write the verses down on a piece of paper or put them in your phone. Carry them with you so you can pull them out and meditate on them when you find yourself in a difficult or confusing situation. Use the verses as a reference to help you process any conflicts or problems you may face. You may also pull out the verses regularly so you can read them and try to understand them better. Sometimes, simply reading and praying on the verses can be a big help.

Use teachings in the verses in your daily life. Put the wisdom and guidance of the verses into practice by adjusting your habits or routines. Try keeping a particular verse in mind as you go about your day so you stay centered and focused. For example, you may follow a teaching on trust in the Bible by shifting how you talk to your partner or how you communicate with God.

Return to the verses if you have a dilemma or problem. If you are struggling with a particular problem or are experiencing conflict in your life, turn to Bible verses for guidance. Look for Bible verses that focus on a theme or topic that can help you find solace and think of ways to mediate the issue. For example, if you are struggling with feelings of fear or doubt, you may read and reflect on verses that address these topics.

Share the verses with others for spiritual inspiration and guidance. Show Bible verses that you find useful or illuminating to your friends and family. Bring up a particular verse to your priest, pastor, or religious guide so you can discuss it in detail. Put Bible verses on your social media account so others can read and reflect on them as well. You can also bring the verses to a Bible study group so you can share them with others and reflect on them together.