# My Top 5 Tips for Reading the Bible  ## Introduction and Tips for Effective Bible Reading - Over the last 15 years, the individual has read the [[Bible]] more than 30 times and has helped over 100,000 people read the Bible all the way through in the past six years [(00:00:00)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mox75HRvFBQ&t=0s). - The goal is to help people get the most out of their Bible reading, and the individual is sharing their top five tips for doing so [(00:00:11)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mox75HRvFBQ&t=11s). - The first tip is to get a physical Bible that you like, as people who own and use physical Bibles are more likely to actually read the Bible [(00:01:09)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mox75HRvFBQ&t=69s). - Physical Bibles also help create a [[Sacred Space (website) | Sacred Space]] and have limited distractions, unlike digital Bibles which can be distracting with social media and other apps [(00:01:40)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mox75HRvFBQ&t=100s). ## Choosing a Physical Bible - When choosing a [[Bible | physical Bible]], consider the translation, with recommended options being the [[English Standard Version]] (ESV) for those with good reading comprehension and the [[New Living Translation]] (NLT) for those who struggle with reading [(00:02:02)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mox75HRvFBQ&t=122s). - The ESV is a more literal translation, while the NLT is more thought-for-thought and easier to understand [(00:03:08)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mox75HRvFBQ&t=188s). - Additionally, consider the size of the Bible, with options such as Thinline Bibles or wide margin Bibles for those who like to write in their Bible [(00:03:21)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mox75HRvFBQ&t=201s). ## Creating and Using a Bible Reading Plan - To find great Bible reading plans, one can either create their own by dividing the total number of pages in their Bible by the number of days they want to read it, or use online resources such as the Bible app or terapybible.com [(00:04:14)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mox75HRvFBQ&t=254s). - Using a [[Bible]] reading plan helps to make reading the Bible more manageable by breaking it down into smaller, daily tasks, similar to eating an elephant one bite at a time [(00:04:03)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mox75HRvFBQ&t=243s). - When creating a Bible reading plan, it's recommended to read by page count rather than chapter count, as chapters are not standardized and can vary greatly in length [(00:05:09)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mox75HRvFBQ&t=309s). ## Tracking Progress and Enhancing Engagement - Tracking Bible reading progress using a calendar can be a helpful motivator, as it allows readers to see their streak and feel encouraged to continue, a tip inspired by Jerry Seinfeld's daily joke-writing habit [(00:06:08)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mox75HRvFBQ&t=368s). - Using a calendar to track progress can also help readers find motivation to read the Bible even on days when they don't feel like it, by focusing on maintaining their streak rather than the task itself [(00:06:47)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mox75HRvFBQ&t=407s). - Additionally, using pens and markers in the [[Bible]] can make reading more enjoyable and engaging [(00:03:55)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mox75HRvFBQ&t=235s). - A 2025-2026 calendar is available for $10 at tupou bible.com or through a Tear Up Your Bible Plus premium subscription [(00:07:19)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mox75HRvFBQ&t=439s). ## Resources and Further Learning - Tear Up Your Bible Plus is a resource that offers in-depth Bible studies, casual Bible studies, topical conversations, and printables, available for $12 a month [(00:07:37)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mox75HRvFBQ&t=457s). - The goal is to develop a mobile app for Tear Up Your Bible Plus once it reaches a certain number of users [(00:08:14)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mox75HRvFBQ&t=494s). ## Reading vs. Studying the Bible - It is recommended to start by reading the [[Bible]] rather than studying it, as reading is the cornerstone of studying and is essential for understanding the scripture [(00:08:28)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mox75HRvFBQ&t=508s). - Reading the Bible three times, especially within three years or less, can provide a great understanding of the scripture and enable better questioning and answering [(00:10:27)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mox75HRvFBQ&t=627s). ## The Importance of Multiple Readings - The process of reading the Bible multiple times can be likened to working on a puzzle, with the first reading laying out the puzzle pieces, the second reading building the edge, and subsequent readings filling in the rest [(00:10:48)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mox75HRvFBQ&t=648s). - A three-time framework for reading the Bible can help in understanding the Scripture better, where the first time is for getting a general idea, the second time is for understanding the structure, and the third time is for putting the puzzle pieces together, although it may take more than three times to fully understand [(00:11:02)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mox75HRvFBQ&t=662s). ## Managing Expectations and Understanding the Scripture - Having questions to be answered and enough [[Bible]] information can help in finding the answers, and it is essential to manage expectations while reading the Bible [(00:11:36)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mox75HRvFBQ&t=696s). - Daily Bible reading can be affected by factors such as sleep, stress, reading comprehension, and frequency of reading the Bible [(00:12:01)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mox75HRvFBQ&t=721s). - The area of the Scripture being read can also affect how much is understood, with some books like [[Galatians (people) | Galatians]] providing more insights than others like the [[Song of Songs | Song of Solomon]] [(00:12:26)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mox75HRvFBQ&t=746s). - It is okay to have days where nothing is understood from the Bible reading, and it is essential to remember that the Bible is a lifetime book that requires multiple readings to fully understand [(00:12:47)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mox75HRvFBQ&t=767s). ## The Cumulative Effect of Bible Reading - [[Bible]] reading works in aggregate, and insights gained from reading the Bible can compound over time, even if it is just one insight per week [(00:13:39)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mox75HRvFBQ&t=819s). - Consistently reading the Bible can lead to a significant number of spiritual insights over time, with the potential to gain 52 insights in a year and 156 insights in 10 years [(00:14:15)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mox75HRvFBQ&t=855s). - Reading the Bible consistently can lead to significant spiritual growth, with an example of gaining 156 insights in a year, and a total of 624 insights by the end of year 10 if one continues to read at a rate of one insight per week for the first nine years and three per week in the tenth year [(00:14:37)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mox75HRvFBQ&t=877s). ## The Key to Success and Closing Prayer - The key to successful Bible reading is perseverance, staying encouraged, and trusting the [[Holy Spirit]] to work through the reading [(00:15:04)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mox75HRvFBQ&t=904s). - It is essential to push through difficult seasons and maintain a consistent reading habit, as the Holy Spirit will use the [[Bible]] reading to bring about significant positive change in one's life [(00:15:07)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mox75HRvFBQ&t=907s). - The goal is for Bible reading to become a transformative experience, with the promise that if one sticks with the scripture, it will change their life [(00:15:31)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mox75HRvFBQ&t=931s). - A prayer is offered for both new and experienced Bible readers, hoping that the upcoming year, specifically 2025, will be the best year of Bible reading they have ever experienced [(00:15:18)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mox75HRvFBQ&t=918s).