How is your New Year’s Resolution going? I commented to my Sunday morning class that I think eating less and reading the Bible more probably lead the list of things Christians want to do better in the new year. Hopefully you are still motivated and committed to whatever goals you set for yourself in 2015. If not, remember you are definitely in good company! Most people abandon their goals for the new year by the end of January.

If you want to read more of the Bible in 2015, let me offer a few suggestions to help make that goal easier to reach. Today I will be offering some suggestions for beginners (those who do not read the Bible on a regular basis). Next week I will offer some suggestions for those who do read the Bible regularly, but who want to reach the next level or refresh and revitalize their reading time.

First, pick a translation that is appealing to you; don’t feel like you have to slug through a translation you don’t enjoy. Don’t worry about getting the most literally accurate Bible; your first goal is just to get reading. Here is a link to the 10 most popular translations (based on dollars and number of Bibles sold). Many new readers have enjoyed the New Living Translation (NLT) and the Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB) and I have found both very easy to read. Biblegateway.com provides a wealth of different translations you can try for free before needing to purchase a new Bible.

Second, pick a genre that is appealing to you. Genre means the type of literature you are reading. Many well-intentioned people start in Genesis, hit the long genealogies (so and so begat so and so), and lose interest. Find a place that is appealing to you. Unless you love reading legal documents, you probably don’t want to start with Leviticus.

If you enjoy poetry, start with the Psalms or Proverbs. If you enjoy history or just love stories, start with 1 and 2 Samuel, Nehemiah, or the early part of Exodus; you could also try any of the Gospels or Acts. If you enjoy theology, try Romans or 1 and 2 Corinthians. If you want practical advice on Christian living, start with Ephesians, James, or 1 John.

Third, make sure to find a time that works for you. I have discovered if I don’t do my Bible reading before I get ready for work, it will almost certainly not get done. As I am resting after my early morning exercise, I read Scripture and pray. A friend of mine does his reading as part of his evening routine. You could take a mid-morning or mid-afternoon break at work and read the Bible. Whatever works for you… as long as it actually works for you.

Finally, read a whole chapter at a time. You might have to work up to this, but there are very real benefits to reading a whole chapter in a sitting. Granted, some of the chapters are pretty long, but most of them can be completed in 10 minutes or less.

The benefit is you will begin to see the Bible as a collection of chapters instead of just a collection of verses. Even if the chapter is divided into different sections, each chapter is a coherent thought, idea, or story. The surrounding context (the chapter) is critical to understanding each verse and to understanding each book as a whole. Reading whole chapters in one sitting will train your mind to remember Scripture by chapters rather than cherry picked verses.

I hope this is helpful! What suggestions would you add for people wanting to read more of the Bible?

Author’s Note: This post is also available at Fridley Covenant Church.