How to Dig Deeper into God’s Word

January 1 flips the calendar to a new year, and many people take the opportunity to take action on developing habits that will bring joy, strength, faith, enrichment, or discipline to their lives. Now is the perfect time to grow all five characteristics and start a Bible reading plan for January and beyond.

But…where to begin? Whether you’re new to the scriptures or well-versed (get it?), the incredible thing about God’s Word is that it’s living and active. It still applies to our lives and speaks a message to our hearts, even though it was written thousands of years ago.

Before you begin your Bible reading practice this year, let’s start with a few quick tips:

The Bible as a whole is about God’s heart and character towards us. It tells the story of our redemption and reconciliation with God that he orchestrates and guides us in our faith journeys today. Remember that this is God’s story, not a self-help guide. It’s not so much about finding the moral, but rather finding the hero, and as we grow to trust him, learning to obey him and become more like him.
The Bible is an ancient text. It was written in another time, culture, place, and for different people, for different purposes. There are words that can be easily misunderstood or misapplied if we don’t stop to consider this point.
To go deeper, read in context, add commentaries, look up the original meanings of words. Use the resources you have to go deeper into the text and be sure that you’re not reading into it what may not be intended. (My favorite free one for all of these is Biblehub.com. Another great resource is bibleproject.com.)
Make a practice of reading around the same time every day until it becomes a habit. Pray before reading. Invite God into your time in the Word. Pray to have your heart open to the message that the Spirit is trying to get to you that day.
There’s no rush. Go at your own pace. Choose understanding the text over getting it finished in a certain timeline.

Now where to begin? Find what best fits you below.

If you’re brand new to the Bible:

When you read a book, you typically start at the beginning, right? The Bible is all valuable, it all tells the story of God. But for several reasons, it truly helps to start with the story of Jesus, who is God’s son, but also God in the flesh who came to live among us and experience life like we do.

Hebrews 1:3 confirms that Jesus is “the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being.” John 1 tells us that he is also the Word, that he was present with God when the world was created, and all things were made through him. His story helps us see God’s heart and character, and also sets us up for everything that comes before and afterwards. Also, it’s honestly tricky to read through the Bible from start to finish, especially not knowing where all the action is leading.

For those who are reading the Bible for the first time, try reading one of the Gospels first–Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John–and maybe consider going from there to read the other accounts. They all tell the story of Jesus through different lenses, for different purposes. Be sure to read some of the background on the authors before you get started!

If last year was hard and you need some encouragement:

There are times when lifting your Bible rivals picking up a heavy weight. You might be worn down by life, tired, and maybe even resistant. It’s hard when the Bible doesn’t speak straight to your situation, or when you’ve been praying, but haven’t yet gotten any clarity from God. You might feel like the Bible will make you feel worse.

Thankfully in those moments, we have the psalms: real life examples of those who show us what it’s like to be messy and imperfect before God, to ask him our questions and reveal our feelings, and still find authentic and wholehearted worship and surrender.

Try reading through the psalms one by one. Take your time and stay with a passage that feels significant to you. You might even try praying through psalms, using the words given and letting them prompt you to share your own thoughts and questions with God.

If you are growing in discipleship:

If you’re following Jesus but need guidance or support in your walk with him or in your daily living, then the New Testament letters to the churches, or the epistles, are a great place to be. Maybe try one of Paul’s four epistles that follow 1 and 2 Corinthians: Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians. Ephesians, in particular, is considered to be one of the most notable books in summing up the message of God’s love for us, grace, and godly living.

Each of these books has much to say on living out discipleship, but again, it’s important to remember to read in context. These were letters written by Paul to specific churches at a specific time. They each had their own societal issues, and a lot of what he said implied for churches to live in a way that followed the law, but truly honored God by being set apart from the culture. There are a lot of theological gems and practical lessons for us in these books.

How else can you immerse yourself in the Word of God this year?

Read in community. Join a Bible study at your local church on a topic that matters to you. Many churches offer group studies that will allow you to go deeper into the Word while you engage with fellow believers. Or start your own Bible study, following a book or online plan. All it takes is a willing group of participants and your Bibles and books. Maybe some snacks too.

Getty | SDI Productions

Listen to a podcast. If you like to listen to God’s Word on the go, tune into a podcast that will help you examine scripture as you go through your day. Remember to go back and read for yourself, like a Berean in Acts 17:10-11! (Also Purposely has you covered with a number of great shows to follow!)

Find ways to keep scriptures on your heart. Deuteronomy 6:6-9 gives us examples of how to do this. Talk about the verses you’ve read, especially at home with your family. Find a way to carry the scriptures with you, maybe on jewelry, the background of your phone, or in a bag or wallet you use frequently. Literally write them out and place them around the house. (Sticky notes are great for this!) Do this to truly soak up scripture, memorize it, and keep it at the ready in your mind.

How will you grow deeper in God’s Word this year? What’s your plan?