How Can I Make Reading My Bible More Interesting?

I do better if I have a study book to help me find a starting point. There were a bunch of free Beth Moore ebooks on amazon, she's a very good writer and can help you get into a passage in a completely new way.

I have the same trouble trying to read Moby Dick.
I've sat down with that book no less than 5 times and have never gotten past page 6.
It's just not my genre and I find it incredibly boring.
Maybe finding God outside of a book might work better for you.
Sorry I can't help - I've read through the bible but it didn't inspire me (and some of it is down right disturbing (what Lot and his daughters do after the fall of Sodom and Gomorrah is incestuous - I can just picture some old pervert writing about being seduced by his daughters).
I find God much better out in nature.

Put the You Version Bible app on your smartphone and do some of the daily reading plans.

There are reading plans for EVERYTHING! A "Read the whole Bible" plan, a "Heal your broken heart" plan, a "Daniel Fast" plan, and everything in between. Whatever is going on in your life, or whatever goals you might have, you can search a reading plan for you and read scripture based upon that.

Aside from doing volunteer work with the homeless or elderly or indigent, (because volunteering in service to those less fortunate is what helps us to grow), I have an off-beat but rather useful suggestion:

Try the Bible as a graphic novel. I did a Google search and found a couple. They look pretty good. Graphic novels were what I turned to when dealing with particularly dry text. (like the plays of Shakespeare-- they lack context in some way until you see the blocking and sets displayed-- graphic novels do that.)

Devotionals are also helpful if you are wanting scripture to study.
When I was a practicing Christian, I found straight Bible reading rather dry. The graphic novels (as well as novelizations of Christian themes) gave a LOT more context. Worth looking into. Graphic novels aren't just for kids-- there have been some made which really introduce tough subjects-- autism, for example-- in ways which make the information far more accessible than just straight information.

Use an online Bible that will allow you to toggle between versions. The various versions are always quite interesting. They say the same message, of course, but the wording changes to make it more every day like. Try www.biblegateway.com.

One way is to get a daily devotional of some kind. They usually recommend a certain bible passage for the day, and then have a few paragraphs written about that passage to help you put it into context.

You could try a more modern translation of the Bible, such as The Word, or you can watch one of the many dramatizations available on DVD. The history channel miniseries of the Bible was quite good. Personally I find joining a bible study group the best way. Or teach Sunday school.

There are lots of different bible translations maybe the one you have isn't the right one. Go to a Christian bookstore and read through some different translations. Also, pray about it. I had a problem with the same thing and I just asked that God would ignite my passion for his word. It worked. I applaud your efforts and so does He.

I think you get more out of reading the Bible when you join a Bible study group. Is that something you can do, to help you get started? Most churches offer these for this very reason.

Always pray first. Ask God to show you what to read. Ask him to help you understand.

Get a version of the Bible that is current day English unless you want to read the bible with a dictionary by your side which is what I did when reading the King James Version. I am currently using the New Living Translation.

I encourage others to start growing their passion for God and the Bible by reading the gospel of John. It's has a great summary of Genesis and what was really going on in the entire Bible.

find a translation that jives with you (i'm still a fan of my beloved old king james) and read it as a mythic adventure instead of dull literalism.
not only more fun, but WAY more important (my opinion, of course, and coming from a non-christian viewpoint.)
:) khairete
S. (who applauds anyone who can get through the begats)

A group bible study is a great way to get to know your Bible.

It does matter the kind of Bible you have. If its possible, get a study Bible.
You want one with lots of references. That's the way you link parts of the Bible that refer to each other or talk about the same subject or even use the same Greek words or phrases. Sadly, there a fewer and fewer out there. You interpret the Bible by Bible. What's referred to in the new testament is often linked to the old testament and visa versa. It often explains a passage or thought, itself.

But that's part of the Holy Spirit's work, to help you understand scripture. Without Him, it's a lost cause. It's a Spiritual Book. Spiritually written and Spiritually understood. Pray for His guidance before you start.

YouVersion is helpful. I have read certain passages in different versions at times. I am very partial to King James. Written in a total different vanacular but very close to my heart as I have studied it all my life and every generation of my family before me since 1603 or so!

I have several commentaries. Hailey's Handbook, Mathew Henry (1600s but very detailed, excellent and free app on the iPad, J. Vernon McGee. I have a PC Study Bible that has many helps in it. It's pretty expensive but so worth it if you get it with the golden Treasury of references.

I love quiet a few Beth Moore studies. You can find them at a Christian Book Store or Amazon. Praying God's Word, her study of David, or Paul are really good with devotionals and workbooks to go along with her books.

James 4:8 says, Draw nigh unto God and He will draw nigh to you.
Trust Him.

Not being funny or disrespectful when I suggest this, but try reading differently. try reading with the book upside down, try reading while doing jumping jacks etc, try reading it in spanish if that was your foreign language in high school. Complicating the task of reading, by doing it in unfamiliar ways, might have you focus harder on that which you are reading.

Best,
F. B.

Maybe try a particular study method to use. I dont know what your denomination is, but there is a really great one by Jaff Cavins (a Catholic) that I just ordered.

Maybe try a student Bible. We have the Quest NIV Bible that my husband used through college. I liked how it had explanations and questions throughout the book.

You may also want to try some children's bibles. Most children's bibles are stories. You can read those, find stories that interest you and then look to the Bible to get the Word.

These are a few approaches I've used personally that have helped me study better:

1. Study by topic rather than starting at the beginning and reading to the end. We usually take more interest in something when we can relate to it, including the Bible.

2. Study the history of the things you are reading in addition to the biblical accounts. A richer understanding of the historical events can add deeper levels of understanding to the spiritual truths being taught as well as adding much needed context to the stories, people, traditions, etc.. By that same token, understanding the geography of the Bible stories can add meaning, which can help you engage better.

3. Study with a partner and/or a study group in addition to on your own. Other people can help you stay on track as well as offering their insights and experiences. I find that a good study group discussion bleeds over into my personal reading and can really open my mind to new avenues when I'm reading the scriptures.

4. Take notes while you read. It's hard to drift when you are writing your thoughts as you go. Incidentally, this is a good way to remember things that are personally beneficial/inspiring/illuminating for you. I keep a special notebook that I write in while I read/study, and it makes a BIG difference.

Hope these suggestions help.

Try starting with the Gospels in the New Testament. Read those four books and then the rest of the New Testament. If you're like me and most people, you lose interest when you start reading from Genesis.

Join a bible study group. You all read the same passage and discuss it!

Listen to Daily Audio Bible!!!!! It is wonderful!! Brian Hardin has an incredible reading voice. He reads a passage from the Old Testament, the New Testament, the Psalms and the Proverbs every day. He also shares a reflection on the daily reading and says a prayer. The podcast ends with prayer requests and praises from around the world. You will read through the entire Bible during the year. The web site is really a whole community with discussion groups, resources for reading and studying the Bible, links to the text so that you can read along, and tons of other things. I am starting my 4th year and can't imagine not doing it. I listen in the car, when I'm doing chores around the house, when I go for a walk, any place my iPod can go. The podcast is about 40 minutes every day if you listen to the prayers at the end (and I highly recommend it!). Brian has also written a book called Passages that is a great resource for getting more out of the Bible. An easy read but packed with good stuff. Give it a try. I think you will love it.

Try a more "expository" approach. Anne Graham Lotz's studies come to mind (daughter of Billy Graham).

If I haven't lost you yet, all it is is combining reading and journaling. After reading a Bible verse, list the facts, the lesson, and then apply to your life personally.

Ex: Genisis 1:1 "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth."

List the facts: Write down all the things you see in that particular verse, without opinion, kind of like reporting the details.

Ex: The heavens and the earth was created in the beginning, God creates, God created the heavens, God created the earth.

List the lesson: Write how you see God in each fact you listed. This might require some thought.

Ex: God existed in the beginning, God was making/creating things at the very start, God made the heavens and earth to exist together, God creates big things, God created things above us where we can't live, God created things we live on.

Write the application: What do you think God is saying?

Ex: I was there in the beginning, everything came after Me, I like to make things, I made something you can live in (earth) and things to know about but not live in (heaven).

Personalize it: Take each application and make it personal to you and only you, and state it back to God, almost like a prayer.

Ex: God, you made the good earth out of nothing. God, you can take all the "nothings" in my life and create big and good things out of it.

Re-read the verse: You'll read it with a whole different approach and a heart of knowledge!

Anyway, I like the expository approach because it doesn't have other authors' opinions getting in my head. So when I read my Bible, its just me, God and His word, nothing else. Don't get me wrong - I love Bible studies and have grown so much in them, but there are times when we don't need to hear other people's "voices" and need to read God's word with a heart that isn't so distracted by an author's POV.

Prayers and peace for you and you seek Him in His Holy Word :)

I actually use the bible I bought my son. It's a "kids" bible so it's VERY basic and easy to read (it's not the toddler one, although it does have a few cartoon pics, but the one for tweens). It doesn't have all the big words and Thee's and Thou's. lol I also do a daily women's devotional book. There is a bible verse and short "story" and lesson. It not only helps you understand the bible, but you can read verses that apply as well. Also, our church has book marks that break down the bible in a year. It has daily verses to read by quarter. Something like that may help also. Good luck.

One good way is to "study" the Bible instead of reading it. I honestly don't think that it is meant to be read as a book. I think it is several different versions of the same stories, and so by reading it as an informative text that you would study from then you will get a lot more out of it. I have sat down and read the whole thing cover to cover a couple of times, and I know a whole lot more about the Bible from watching those wonderful shows on the History Channel. But, I have never found God in either place. But, then again, I see the Bible as a good mythology/historical text...just me though...I don't want to discourage you from reading it. I had a lot of luck finding my relationship with God when I started reading about death and dying, new age stuff, out of body experiences, and angels.

So, really, I would pick a topic that you want to read about, and then read about it in all the different parts. If you get a Bible commentary or thesaurus (I think) that will tell you where to go to find them. I know my dad has many different ones so if you need or want a recommendation, I can ask him for you, just let me know.

Good luck in your quest and relationship building! Blessed Be.

We have so many Bibles in the house... each one special in its own way. But they're all, you know, the Bible.

Then a couple of years ago I bought a daily devotional Bible from Women of Faith. It's hard cover, it's beautiful, it has those wonderful thin, tissue pages, and it yes it's organized exactly the same as any other KJV. My other Bibles are NAS. The difference, however, is that in the front of the Bible there's a table of contents that has subjects that you and your heart may need to focus and pray about. Grace, Healing, Love, Patience, Serenity, Forgiveness, Faith, and more. Each one gives you a page to start out and when you go to that page there's a suggested passage that relates to what you need to pray and focus on. There's discussion about why that passage is so important, and why it was suggested. Then on that page, it tells you where to go next.

It goes on like that so that there's a passage to read every day for 30/31 days regarding each thing.

You got a lot of great ideas. Another idea that is so inspirational to me is to listen to music.

Try reading the Brick Bible. An illustrated retelling of the bible done in Legos.

I've had the most success with a "O. year" bible.
(Small passage for each day.)