Reading the Bible in 2025
Why bother with Scripture this year?
When we read the Bible, we are invited to enter into a living tradition that has shaped faith, thought, and culture for millennia. For Presbyterians in the PC(USA), the Bible is the inspired Word of God, not in the sense of being a scientific treatise, or one that should be read through a fundamentalist lens, but as a dynamic and contextual witness to God’s presence and activity in the world. Through its rich tapestry of stories, poetry, and teachings, the Bible reveals truths about faith, justice, love, and human purpose, offering a way to encounter God’s Word anew in every generation.
Reading Scripture is a way to deepen one’s relationship with God. Through its pages, we encounter the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the ultimate revelation of God’s love and grace. The Bible isn’t just a record of ancient history—it is a living story in which we find our place. By reading it, we connect to a broader narrative of creation, covenant, liberation, and redemption, situating our lives within the unfolding work of God in the world.
Beyond personal faith, the Bible provides guidance for ethical living, challenging readers to embody the principles of justice, compassion, and love. Its teachings call us to act in ways that reflect God’s care for creation and humanity, offering a vision for how to live faithfully in our daily lives. It’s not just about learning rules; it’s about cultivating a way of being that seeks to love God and neighbor more deeply.
For Presbyterians, Scripture is also central to worship and the communal life of the church. It forms the foundation of preaching, shapes the celebration of sacraments, and inspires shared mission and service. Engaging with the Bible equips us to participate fully in this community of faith, contributing to its ongoing journey of understanding and practice.
Moreover, the Bible addresses life’s deepest questions. It wrestles with the complexities of human existence—suffering, hope, love, and redemption. Figures like Jacob, Job, and Paul invite us into their struggles, teaching us that faith often involves grappling with doubt and uncertainty. Presbyterians embrace this process, encouraging readers to approach the Bible not for easy answers but for an honest exploration of life’s challenges.
Even beyond faith, the Bible is a treasure of human culture. Its influence on literature, art, and philosophy is immeasurable. To read it is to engage with a foundational text of Western thought, enriching our understanding of history and society.
Presbyterians interpret the Bible through a Reformed lens, balancing Scripture with reason, tradition, and experience. This approach allows for a critical and thoughtful engagement with the text, appreciating its complexity while remaining open to its transformative power. To read the Bible, then, is not merely to read a book. It is to open oneself to God’s grace, to the wisdom of the Christian tradition, and to the ongoing work of the Spirit in shaping lives and communities. It is to participate in a story that continues to inspire, challenge, and call us to something greater.
How can I get started?
If you’ve never read the Bible before, starting can feel daunting—but it doesn’t have to be. Think of it as an invitation to explore a living tradition that has shaped the faith and lives of millions over thousands of years. The Bible is more than just a book; it’s a collection of stories, poems, letters, and reflections that speak to some of life’s deepest questions. Approaching it thoughtfully and intentionally can make it an enriching and transformative experience.
The first step is to start small and focused. The Bible is vast, so rather than diving in randomly, begin with something accessible. The Gospel of Mark, for instance, offers a straightforward account of Jesus’ life and ministry, while the Psalms provide beautiful, poetic meditations on faith, doubt, and human emotion. Beginning with these texts allows you to ease into the larger narrative without feeling overwhelmed.
Choosing the right translation is also important. Some translations, like the New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition (NRSVue) or the Common English Bible (CEB), strike a balance between faithfulness to the original text and readability, making them excellent choices for newcomers. The goal is to find a version that feels approachable, allowing the words to speak clearly to you.
Reading the Bible isn’t about speed or quantity. Start with small portions—perhaps a chapter or even a few verses each day—and give yourself space to reflect on what you’ve read. Ask yourself what stands out, what challenges you, and what resonates. The Bible isn’t a text to master but a conversation to enter.
Understanding the context of what you’re reading can make a significant difference. The Bible was written over centuries in different cultural and historical settings. Study Bibles and commentaries can offer helpful background information, making it easier to understand the text’s meaning and relevance. Don’t be afraid to ask questions—curiosity is not only welcome but encouraged. Questions about difficult or puzzling passages often lead to the most profound insights.
I’ve just returned from the American Academy of Religion’s 2024 conference in San Diego and picked up a copy of the new Westminster Study Bible, which uses the text of the NRSVue. This is an excellent resource to start your Bible study journey this year!
Reading the Bible can also be a communal experience. Engaging with others—whether in a church group, a study circle, or even a conversation with a friend—can bring new perspectives and help you see how people apply the Bible’s teachings to their lives. Faith is often strengthened and clarified in community, where diverse interpretations and experiences enrich understanding.
As you read, it’s helpful to focus on the Bible’s overarching themes rather than getting bogged down in the details. The story of God’s love for humanity, the call to justice and mercy, and the hope of redemption are threads that weave throughout its pages. These larger ideas can guide your reading and help you see how each part connects to the whole.
Finally, be open to reflection. The Bible is not just a historical document or a moral guide—it’s a text that invites you to consider your own life, values, and relationships. Whether or not you identify as a person of faith, the questions it raises and the perspectives it offers can be deeply meaningful.
Reading the Bible is a journey, not a task to complete. It’s less about finding definitive answers and more about engaging with a text that has the potential to inspire, challenge, and transform. Even if you approach it with uncertainty or skepticism, the simple act of reading can open doors to new understandings and possibilities. It’s a path worth exploring.
Practical Questions
When deciding how to read the Bible, the question often arises: should you follow a plan to read the entire Bible in a year or focus deeply on one specific book? The answer depends on what you’re hoping to gain and where you are in your faith journey. Both approaches have unique advantages, and the choice ultimately reflects your goals and the season of life you’re in.
Reading the Bible in a year is a wonderful way to take in the big picture. The Bible is not just a collection of disconnected writings but an overarching story of creation, covenant, redemption, and restoration. A year-long plan provides a structured approach to engage with the breadth of Scripture, helping you see how its many genres, voices, and themes fit together. You’ll journey through the poetry of the Psalms, the wisdom of the Proverbs, the narratives of the Gospels, and the letters of the New Testament, gaining a panoramic view of God’s Word. If you’re looking for a specific yearly reading plan, I myself use the M’Cheyne Bible reading plan, which you can access here.
However, the pace of such a plan can feel demanding. While the daily readings are usually manageable, they don’t always leave much room for deep reflection. If you’re the type of reader who likes to linger over a passage or wrestle with its meaning, you may find this approach a bit fast-paced. Still, it’s an excellent choice if you’re eager to immerse yourself in the full scope of the Bible and are willing to return later for a closer study of specific texts.
On the other hand, focusing on one specific book of the Bible allows you to slow down and dive deeply. This method is particularly rewarding if you want to understand a text in its historical and cultural context, explore its themes, and apply its teachings to your life. For example, spending time with the Gospel of John can illuminate the person of Jesus and the depth of his ministry, while meditating on the Psalms offers a rich treasury of prayers and reflections on human experience. Focusing on a single book lets you sit with the text, study it carefully, and engage with it on a more personal level.
If you’re unsure which approach to take, a balanced method might be the answer. Many people find it helpful to follow a year-long reading plan to gain a broad understanding of Scripture while setting aside time to study one book or passage in greater depth. For instance, you might read through the Bible in a year while simultaneously spending a few weeks meditating on the Sermon on the Mount or reflecting on a series of Psalms.
Ultimately, the best approach depends on your current goals and circumstances. If you’re new to the Bible, focusing on one book might feel less overwhelming and help you develop a rhythm of reading. If you’ve read parts of the Bible before and want to see how it all fits together, a year-long plan could be exactly what you need.
Whatever you choose, remember that the goal isn’t just to finish the Bible or master its content—it’s to engage meaningfully with God’s Word. Whether you explore the vast landscape of Scripture or linger in the richness of one book, what matters most is approaching the text with an open heart and a willingness to listen. Both paths can lead to transformative encounters with God, and there’s no wrong place to begin.
