Feeling Lost? How to Understand the Bible as a Beginner
The Sunday blog posts I write are about my struggles in trying to live the life I believe God wants me to live. They’re also about trying to understand the Word of God, which, let’s be honest, can be a struggle! I share these posts because I think others might face the same challenges. I know I’ve found myself smiling or shaking my head when listening to someone talk about the Bible, thinking, “I don’t have a clue what they’re saying!”
Why Understanding the Bible Can Be So Hard
Have you ever felt that way about the Bible? You try to read, process, and understand it, but you just feel lost. I’ll be honest, most of the time, I don’t have a clue either. I often depend on scholars and preachers to point me in the right direction and explain the “back story” so the pieces make sense.
A Simple Devotional That Changed Everything
I recently came across a simple little devotional book that changed how I approach reading the Bible. When I say simple, I mean simple. Imagine a children’s Bible and a standard adult Bible had a baby, this devotional would be it! It’s called Seamless: Understanding the Bible as One Complete Story by Angie Smith, and it goes through the Bible in chronological order, starting with creation.
Maybe you already feel like you have a good grasp on how everything fits together. But I’ll be honest: even though I’ve heard all the stories, I struggled to keep them straight in my mind. Reading this simplified version made me excited to wake up every morning and jump into the next story. Everyone in the Bible started to come to life, and I found myself doing more research and reading than I have in a long time.
The Power of Starting with the Basics
Isn’t it funny how when something feels complicated or overwhelming, we tend to shut down instead of trying to get to the bottom of it? This devotional helped me take a step back and start with the basics.
For example, I just finished reading about the Ark of the Covenant in Exodus 25-27. The Lord gives very detailed instructions about what He wants built and why. The first thing I thought of while reading was the movie Raiders of the Lost Ark. Don’t laugh, but until now, I had no idea what the movie was really looking for! After reading how God wanted the Ark crafted from gold, I finally understood why it was so important.
Show Yourself Grace When Learning
My point is this: going back to a basic and simplified version when you’re struggling is a wonderful way to start. Feeling like you’re not smart enough to understand everything can be discouraging, but remember, it takes years, decades even, of daily study for preachers and scholars to grasp the depth of the Bible. Show yourself a little grace, because I know the Lord will.
Devotional Recommendation
If you are looking for a easy to understand devotional, try Seamless: Understanding the Bible as One Complete Story by Angie Smith. It’s been a blessing to me, and it might be just what you need, too.
To GOD Goes The Glory!
Have A Blessed Day!
End With a Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your Word and the desire You’ve placed in our hearts to know You better. Help us not to feel overwhelmed or discouraged when we don’t understand, but to remember that You meet us where we are. Give us patience, wisdom, and the joy of discovery as we learn. Thank You for tools like simple devotionals that open our eyes to Your truth. Amen.
I love your transparency. I study and study for my Bible Study classes and it can be hard! I often think how Jesus talked about people having eyes but not seeing and ears but not hearing. It takes effort. Thanks for the title and will look it up!
Another book is “The Story” The Bible as One Continuing Story of God and His People. it’s almost like the a Bible in novel form.
Blessings to you, Tania!
This morning I literally had a brief discussion with my husband about trying to get some assistance with some personal family issues, and I mentioned that I needed to start reading the Bible again. Unfortunately, I struggle with the versus and it oftentimes leaves me more confused. I prayed about it this morning, and asked God to guide me in the right direction, and to keep my eyes and heart open for “signs.” Later in the day I checked some of my emails and there it was, your email! Praise God, and bless you!
Oh, Susan, I hope your family issues get better soon. I am overwhelmed at the idea of the Lord using me to help others. It is a blessing that I don’t deserve.
Thank you Tania. I love this message.
I listen to an online pastor. His website is amazing. I just choose the bible sermon and he reads and explains verse by verse. Of course, he has current teachings but many books of the Bible are archived. I would highly recommend him to anyone! God bless you!
jdfarag.org
Thank you for sharing this information. I may check out this book. I have a lot of resources that was my Mom’s. I read alot of Max Lucado books. When I was younger I had a Preacher that was more of a Teacher and he was always good at explaining the Bible I miss him.
I love your Sunday post. I have had similar thoughts to yours Thank you for the devotional suggestion, I’m going to order it. 😊
Thanks, Tania, for this book recommendation. I struggle when reading the Bible, so I’m ordering this!
I have the same struggle when reading the Bible Thank you for the information on the book you recommended Sherry
Thanks so much for your lesson today. I’m an elderly woman but I still don’t understand the Bible and what it means!!
How I wish you were close enough by that I could talk with you.
🙂 Thank you for sharing your Sunday blog. I always look forward to reading them.
Yes, there are always questions, more so now that I am in my mid 60s with a serious thoracic aortic aneurysm. I did read a paperback when lost my dad when I was 16. My aunt had it and I borrowed it, read it, and purchased my own copy. I believe it was titled, “God’s Word Made Plain”. Life is a miracle. Each day when I rise. I always thank God and make my plans for the day with his guidance and strength. 🙏
Our heart is pumping, the sun is shining, and life is good.
I love the Sunday post Thanks so much! I ordered the book, and can’t wait to get started
Thank you, your Sunday posts are always so inspirational.
Something funny: I thought the verse of the day was about Noah’s Ark. “What?! Gold inside and out?!” Then I realized it was from Exodus. Ok, got it. Thank you for the weekly Sunday blog posts.
Lol! That’s cute.
Amen I’m currently reading the bible and it is hard but feel God opened my eyes more this attempt ☺️
Thank you for your word of encouragement to us and praising our Lord and Savior.
Put it on my wishlist! Thanks Tania!
I just got home from Church. Sat down to scroll through emails and saw your post. Over the last week, I’ve been looking for something along these lines. I’ve been a Christian for over 30 years. I still feel I have so much to learn and feel lost so often. Thanks so much for this recommendation as well has your honesty about have struggles in your time in the word.
i love the bible recap by tara leigh cobble. it is also chronological which is how my brain works lol. I was so proud of myself when I completed it. btw it took me more than the year it is designed for but that is OK. I also bought seamless a while back as well but haven’t started it yet. I figured reading the bible more than once through different perspectives would be beneficial… I’m also a nerd 🤓
I have a book something like you are describing…The Story. I started reading it and it was great. I stopped because there are so many characters and they go by different names I just got confused and stopped.
I struggle in the ways you describe. Thank you for letting me know I’m not alone.
God Bless and Happy Sunday 😊
I needed today’s post. Thank you for the recommendation. Try as I might, I often feel like I am not grasping what I should.
Thank you Tania for today’s informative and beautiful post. How fitting I read it in the car after 8am mass this morning.
Thank you for this. I really think this could be helpful.
Thank you for recommending the book, Seamless. I so appreciate the homilies at Mass. Our parish priests put a great amount of time in interpreting the gospel message and applying it to our lives today. It helps to deepen my understanding and connection to scripture. As I grow older, I’m very interested in exploring the bible deeply. Have a blessed Sunday.
hank you – the book sounds like it would be very helpful –
The Bible truly can be difficult to read and understand. Thank you for suggesting the “Seamless” book. Your Sunday posts are a blessing!
Love this!
Thank you!
Julie V.
Just ordered the devotional book, excited to read it! Thank you!
Tania. Thank you for this morning’s devotion. It’s just what I needed. I am there with you not understanding the Bible. Sometimes it’s so confusing that I put it down for a while. I am going to get the little book you suggested and start from there.
I injured myself from a fall and I pray everyday for healing. It’s been so painful until sometimes, I have doubts I will get better. Then I ask God for healing. Thank you for your post. I can’t always check it daily but when I do I love it.
Have a blessed day. 🙏🏽
I knew there was a reason I did not complete my Amazon order last night. I had one more thing to add. Thank you, Tania!
Lol! I do that all the time too.
I am putting this on my list right now! Thank you for listening to the prompts by Holy Spirit to share each week.
Tania, I have often felt this way too…especially the
Old Testament! Thank You for your Sunday posts…they are my favorites!!! Have a Blessed day🙏❤🙏
Thanks, Alison. I’m glad you enjoy them.
Thank you for your Sunday posts. The ladies in my church did a book study on this book, Seamless. Very helpful in better understanding the Bible.
Thank you Tania I think I will purchase this study. There is still much I don’t understand in the Bible. I do know one thing God has showed me in my retirement years….you are never too old to learn new things from studying the Word of God.
Tania, thank you so much for sharing your heart and for taking us on a brief spiritual journey! I pray that your influence for God will be seen and heard.❤️ Also, are you a member of the Church of Christ?
Yes. I attended the Church of Christ my entire life.
Tania, thank you for the recommendation. This is my second year of reading the Bible using Bible Recap. Just this week I was reading about Jeroboam & Rhoboam. I struggle keeping things straight.
Tara Leigh Cobble, the author, helps me by calling them King Rey & King Jerry.
Blessings
Tania,
I loved your devotional this morning and your recommendation of the book Seamless. I just ordered it from Amazon and am looking forward to this study. You are a wonderful witness for Jesus as well as keeping us well dressed!! Thank you. 🥰🙏🙏
😀Sometimes it seems like reading Shakespeare! Thank you for your wisdom.
Well said Tania.I so agree with you, understanding the Bible can be challenging. By the way,I loved your message about the Holy Spirit. I shared that with my 12 year old grandson.
,
That is wonderful! I hope he has a heart for the Lord.
I always love your Sunday blog! I can’t wait to order the book because we all can use a little help. Thank you for sharing.
AMEN, Sister! Reading the Bible chronologically was an eye-opener for me too! It also helps to look for pictures of Jesus when reading the old testament. The sacrifices, redemptions, and devotion to God the Father are all there!
happy Sunday! Thank you for the book recommendation!
So glad that you brought this up. I have felt that way so often. I try to understand but it eludes me. Can’t wait to get this devotional. Thank you.
Thank you for this recommendation. I am adding it to my wish list today.
Thanks for sharing this great book with us!