How to read the Bible...

1. Open your mind

Read the text with an open mind. It may present you with information you did not previously know and it may challenge your preconceived notions of the religion and history. You will gain much more from the experience of reading if you have an open mind and are willing to take in this new information. Remember that different people have different opinions and that is okay.

2. Google It

There is tons of information about the Bible on reliable websites which will help you in your reading and study. If you don’t understand something- look it up! It may use vocabulary that you do not know or it may make reference to things you don’t know or understand. Don’t be afraid to look these things up online, in books purchased or borrowed from a local library for an explanation.

Read about the history of the region and time period before reading the text. This will give you important context for the events, people, and ideas in the books. Don’t forget that people can be wrong. It isn’t too difficult to publish a book or start a website and people can say whatever they want to. Look for research which is well documented to be sure that you have the most accurate information. Peer-reviewed texts are best.

3. Phone a friend

Find someone to help you read the Bible, or who will read the Bible with you. The language of the Bible can be very complex and since it is very old, much of the cultural context is missing. It is important to understand what the original authors intended, as well as the history of the time in which they lived and how it affected them. Find a guide, who will help you read between the text which you are reading.


At several music festivals in the UK we give away free the "Jesus Loves Festivals" Bible (well the book of Mark from the Bible) - we can post one out to you, visit the shop page on this web site (£1 postage and packing applies) - or you can read the book of Mark online here!

Here are some extracts - things said by Jesus...

"Come with me and I will make a new kind of fisherman out of you. I'll show you how to catch men and women instead of perch and bass."

“Who needs a doctor: the healthy or the sick? I’m here inviting the sin-sick, not the spiritually-fit.”

“Listen to this carefully. I’m warning you. There’s nothing done or said that can’t be forgiven.”

“Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity. Stinginess impoverishes.”

Jesus said to her, “Daughter, you took a risk of faith, and now you’re healed and whole. Live well, live blessed!”

“Don’t think you need a lot of extra equipment for this. You are the equipment.”

He took the five loaves and two fish, lifted his face to heaven in prayer, blessed, broke, and gave the bread... They all ate their fill... More than five thousand were at the supper.

Jesus said: “It’s what comes out of a person that pollutes”

He then asked, “And you — what are you saying about me? Who am I?”

No sooner were the words out of his mouth than the  father cried, “Then I believe. Help me with my doubts!”

Jesus: “came to serve, not to be served—and then  to give away his life in ex- change for many held hostage.”

“If you have anything against someone, forgive —only then will your heavenly Father be inclined to also wipe your slate clean of sins.”

Jesus said, “The first in importance is, ‘Listen, Israel:The Lord your God is one; so love the Lord God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence and energy.’ And here is the second: ‘Love others as well as you love yourself.’ There is no other commandment that ranks with these.”

“Stay with it—that’s what is required. Stay with it to the end. You won’t be sorry; you’ll be saved.”

“Time’s up. The Son of Man is about to be betrayed into the hands of sinners. Get up. Let’s get going. My betrayer has arrived.”

At three o’clock, Jesus groaned out of the depths, crying loudly, “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?”

“Don’t be afraid. I know you’re looking for Jesus theNazarene, the One they nailed on the cross. He’s been raised up; he’s here no longer. You can see for yourselves that the place is empty.”