I grew up in church, but I have to say I learned very little about the Bible during those early years. My Sunday school teacher was awesome. I enjoyed the lessons and learned Scripture verses. And while I could tell you that David toppled Goliath and Sarah laughed when she was told she was going to have a child, I didn’t understand how the Bible was put together as one cohesive story. I discovered my lack of understanding a year after I was married. John and I signed up for Bible school classes. Before the class started, we took a quiz to see how much we know. I discovered it was very little. I couldn’t tell you if David lived before Abraham or vice versa. During the months I learned so much. I understood the Bible more, and I fell in love with God more, too. I craved spending time in God’s Word.
The truth about understanding the Bible is that you need to read the Bible. You also need to understand how the parts make the whole.
Here are some amazing books that can help you understand the Bible and understand how to know and do God’s will.
First, What the Bible is All About, which gives gives bite-sized explanations. I went through it during a Bible school class, and it helped so much. I now understand when the books of the Bible were written by whom and what the main message was. Knowing the parts have helped me understand the whole Bible so much better. They also have a What the Bible is All About For Kids.
I also recommend either the NIV (New International Version), God’s Word or NLT (New Living Translation Version) Bible. You can read these for free at www.biblegateway.com. They are easy to understand. I take turns reading from each of these versions. I also recommend the reading plans at Bible Gateway. I’ve read through the Bible at least six times, and I learn more and more every time. Reading plans help to break of the Bible in daily bite-sized pieces. 
I also highly recommend Experiencing God (Member Book). It’s a Bible study book, and it had daily homework. It made me see God in a new way. I experienced Him through those pages! Don’t believe me? You can read my true story here.
Of course the best part of knowing God’s Word is the transformation that will happen in you. As Isaaih 55:11 (NLT) says, “It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it.”
Isn’t that amazing that God will accomplish all He wants to do in you as you dig into His Word?!
P.S. Don’t forget to listen to my radio show, “Living Inspired,” today at 3 p.m. CDT on the landing page. I’m interviewing Mark DeYmaz, a pastor at a multi-ethnic church!
I have been reading your posts on Bible reading. I will say it has always been a struggle for me to read. I know I should read it but it is a struggle. I have yet to read it entirely and that always whispers to me, that I have not. Other things get in the way. Thank you for your daily reminders to me that I need to keep reading it. I am getting through it, in Job now, and I do not want to gte off track. Someday I want to say, yes, I have read it, and am excited to start it from the beginning again.
I’m thrilled that you realize reading the Bible is so important. It is! I’m thrilled you’ve begun the journey, but don’t feel as if you have to start with Genesis 1 and read all the way through. I was a Christian at least 10 years before I read it all the way through.
I always recommend that people start with the Gospels Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Then read through the New Testament…and then read through the Old Testament. It’ll make so much more sense!
Hugs,
Tricia
Tricia, I so appreciate that you are encouraging reading the Bible! Being part of a group of women who read through the Bible in a year really opened my eyes and heart to just how important it is!
This fall Bethany House will publish my book A WOMAN’S GUIDE TO READING THE BIBLE IN A YEAR: A LIFE-CHANGING JOURNEY INTO THE HEART OF GOD. The reading plan it follows alternates Old Testament and New Testament books, which is a little different from most reading plans but has some real advantages.
I’m excited to be able to provide a resource to help other women form groups and read through the Bible to get to know God!
I didn’t realize they had Henrietta Mears book for kids. What a treasure. I’ll have to look into this to use with mine.