The Bible is probably one of the most talked-about books in the world, and one of the least understood. Some people assume every word should be read exactly the same way. Others dismiss the entire collection because they encounter a passage they find confusing or troubling. And plenty of people would like to understand it but aren’t sure where to begin. If that’s you, I think the best starting point is to understand what Christians actually believe the Bible is.
At Nuvo, we say the Bible is “for us, from God, through people.” I love that description because it holds together three important truths. We believe Scripture is inspired by God, written through human authors, and authoritative and applicable to our everyday lives. That means the Bible deserves serious attention, and it also means we should read it carefully.
The Bible Is a Library, Not One Kind of Book
The Bible contains history, poetry, wisdom, prophecy, letters, and accounts of Jesus’ life. You wouldn’t read a poem exactly the same way you read a letter from a friend, and you shouldn’t approach every biblical passage as though it belongs to the same genre. Context matters. Who wrote this? Who first received it? What was happening? What kind of writing is this? Those questions aren’t attempts to explain Scripture away. They’re part of taking it seriously.
Second Timothy 3:16–17 describes Scripture as God-breathed and useful for teaching, correcting, and training in righteousness. The purpose isn’t merely to accumulate religious information. It’s to equip people to live faithfully. If our reading never changes the way we treat others, handle money, speak, forgive, or serve, we may be missing part of what Scripture is intended to do.
Bring Your Questions Into the Process
Sometimes people discover a difficult passage and assume they have only two choices: ignore the problem or abandon the Bible entirely. I don’t think either response is necessary. You can study historical context, compare translations, examine how a passage fits into the larger story, and listen to thoughtful scholars. Christians have wrestled with challenging texts for centuries. Serious questions deserve serious engagement.
It’s also helpful to recognize the Bible’s central story. From creation and human brokenness to God’s work through Israel and the coming of Jesus, Scripture tells a story of God pursuing and redeeming people. The life, death, and resurrection of Jesus are central to how Christians understand that story. Reading individual verses without considering the larger narrative can lead us toward conclusions the passage was never intended to support.
Read to Understand and Respond
You don’t need to become an expert before you begin. Start with a Gospel. Read a short section slowly. Ask what the author is communicating and what it reveals about God. Then ask what faithful application might look like. Sometimes you’ll understand immediately. Other times you’ll need to keep studying. That’s okay. The goal isn’t to win a Bible trivia contest. It’s to allow Scripture to shape your understanding of Jesus and the way you live.
And read with other people when you can. A thoughtful conversation often reveals assumptions you didn’t know you were bringing to the text. Community can help us remain humble, curious, and accountable as we learn.
Putting This Into Practice
1Read Luke 1:1–4.
Notice how the author describes his purpose and method. Ask what that tells you about the kind of account you’re reading.
2Use three context questions.
Before applying a passage, ask who wrote it, who received it, and what the surrounding chapter is discussing. Write down what you learn.
3Practice one clear teaching.
Choose a passage about love, honesty, generosity, or forgiveness and identify one action you can take this week in response.
