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.