Why should I read the Bible? Why is it important for my life today?
We believe the Bible is the standard for everything we do in life as Christians (2 Timothy 3:16), and we also believe it’s our primary way of forming a deep personal relationship with God (Psalm 1:1-2). If you want to know more about God and His promises, reading the Bible is your Next Step.
We believe the Bible is the standard for everything we do in life as Christians (2 Timothy 3:16), and we also believe it’s our primary way of forming a deep personal relationship with God (Psalm 1:1-2). If you want to know more about God and His promises, reading the Bible is your Next Step.
“Be good to your servant,
that I may live and obey your word.
Open my eyes to see
the wonderful truths in your instructions.”
Psalm 119:17-18
that I may live and obey your word.
Open my eyes to see
the wonderful truths in your instructions.”
Psalm 119:17-18
As we read, study, seek direction, and grow, we begin to see God more clearly, and our lives change because of that. Digging into God's Word on a consistent basis helps us develop a strong, healthy spiritual life.
Where Do I Start?
Maybe you've never really read the Bible before, or maybe you're finding that it's tough to stay consistent. Wherever you find yourself, we want to give you some resources to kickstart your habit of getting into the Word of God. If you're new to Bible reading, you may want to start in the book of John, where you'll learn about the life and work of Jesus while He was on earth. If you're looking to build consistency in your Bible reading, you may want to start a short daily devotional that helps the Bible become a real and active part of your life, or maybe you want to work towards reading the Bible in a year. At the end of the day, the best thing you can do is to start somewhere.
Right Now Media
If you want to dig into some video studies for personal or family use, Right Now Media is a great option! This free service provides a huge library of Bible studies, sermon series, and other great resources as you continue in your Next Steps.
YouVersion
The YouVersion Bible App lets you read the Bible, share verses, dive into reading plans, and more.
Versions and Study Bibles
As far as versions of the Bible to read, there are lots of choices. At Journey we use the NLT (New Living Translation) for our on-campus content and most online content due to its easy-to-understand nature. However, we also suggest the following versions for personal Bible study: NIV (New International Version), ESV (English Standard Version), and NASB (New American Standard Bible). In addition, study Bibles are great resources to help you dig deeper into the Bible, and there are different versions that cater specifically to children, teens, or adults.