Why should I read the Bible?
We’re all on a spiritual journey. From the moment we’re old enough to ask questions, we begin seeking answers to life’s deepest puzzles. Why are we here on Earth? Is there a God? How do I know what’s right and wrong? What happens to me when I die?

The answers to those questions are the route markers of our journey and determine the course of our lives. The Bible will guide and comfort you on the trip.

As you grow in your faith in Jesus Christ, you will experience a wonderful renewal in how you feel about yourself and the people and circumstances around you. Everything will seem new and fresh, filled with hope and meaning—maybe for the first time in your life. This gift is the result of the presence of God’s Holy Spirit—one of those awesome mysteries about the manner in which God works in our lives. The gradual changes you will notice in your nature—referred to as the “fruit of the Spirit”—are evidence to you and to those you come in contact with of God’s power at work in you. They will enrich your life. You may read about these marvelous, transforming gifts in the New Testament, book of Galatians, chapter 5, verses 22 and 23.

The Bible is the only book whose author is present whenever it’s read. That’s why giving someone a Bible is one of the most effective ways to bring them into a living relationship with God and change their life forever.

What’s in the Bible?
There are various phrases used to describe the Bible: God’s Word, Holy Scriptures, Word of God, etc., but each of them is used to identify the book Christians use as God’s message to us.

The Bible includes both the Old Testament and the New Testament. The Old Testament is a collection of 39 books about the history and religion of the people of Israel. Although each book has its own purpose and focus, together they form a unified story about God and His plan to have a relationship with us—and ultimately save His chosen people. You’ll discover many interesting characters you may have heard of before: Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Samson, David, Esther and many more. Each of their stories will teach you important lessons about what God expects of you.

The New Testament comprises 27 short chapters (referred to as “books”), which were written between 35 and 60 years after Jesus was crucified. The first four (called “the Gospels”) were written by men who were alive during the time of Christ. They were written so that people in the future could know what happened and what was taught. They have been protected through the centuries and translated carefully and accurately by faithful people so that the truth they contain would be preserved.

Which version of the Bible should I read?
As you can see in the charts below, there have been many translations (or versions) of the Bible over the years. Using the most trustworthy ancient manuscripts that have been preserved, modern scholars have translated God’s message to us from the original languages of Hebrew and Greek into the languages we speak today. Bookstores today stock a wide variety of Bibles ranging from the King James Version, to the New International Version, to The Message—a version that reads very much like a novel.

Which version of the Bible is the best version?
It varies from person to person. It might depend on your education level, how often you read or your familiarity with the teachings of the Bible.

An important difference between many of today’s Bibles is the choice between a literal, word-for-word translation, versus more of a thought-for-thought translation. Two very popular translations, the New International Version and the New Living Translation, are easy to read but are not as literal in their translation as versions like the New American Standard or the English Standard Version. Each has its advantages, but the most important thing is that they are all God’s Word.

Since every person is unique in what communicates best to them, we do not have one translation we recommend for you to buy. However, if you have never read the Bible before, you are likely to find the thought-for-thought translations best for beginning your journey. When you are more familiar with the Bible and want to dig deeper, you may want to pick up another translation to compare.

Here are two charts that help explain the roots of the English translations and the scope of Bibles between “word-for-word” and “thought-for-thought.”

Chart of the Development of the English Bible
Chart of the Translation Continuum