How to Read Your Bible

It takes more than good intentions to read through God's Word. Use this easy-to-grasp guidebook on your journey through Scripture! Whether you're a new Christian or a longtime believer, it will show you where to start, what to look for, and how to make sense of what you read. Includes three 15-minute-per-day reading plans. 244 pages, softcover from Nelson.

As a dedicated Christian, you’ve decided to follow Jesus Christ and have accepted the challenge to read through the Bible. Up until now, your Bible reading has been pretty hit-and-miss. To be honest, so far you’ve only hit Genesis, the first half of Exodus, part of Psalms, and portions of the New Testament and missed the rest. The thought of reading from Genesis to Revelation is exciting-but slightly intimidating. You’d like some help! Where do you turn?

This book will guide you on your journey through the Scriptures, both showing the way and answering common questions.

For every Christian who wants to read or is trying to read through the whole Bible, here is the book that shows the way! After all, it takes more than good intentions and will power to get that needed epiphany that "I really can read through God’s Word."

How to Read Your Bible answers the following questions:

• Why Should I Read the Bible?
• Is My Bible Inspired?
• Is My Translation Trustworthy?
• What About Apparent Errors?
• Where Do I Start Reading the Bible?
• What Do I Look for When I’m Reading?
• How Do I Make Sense of What I’m Reading?
• How Do I Personalize What I’m Reading?
• What Do I Do After I Read?

Average Rating:

4 of 4 Reviews Showing:

Reviewed by Pam (Green Valley, AZ), June 06, 2009

I am only 1/2 through, but I've already rated this as a "must have" for new Christians like myself. It includes a "story within a book", that is intertwined throughout the book; about 4 coffee shop Bible readers. At first, I thought this aspect was really cheesy, but then I found myself skipping ahead through the entire book so I could read their little "story" (and I found this "story" actually helps tie things together). Re: the reference aspect of the book, I already feel much more educated about the bible, and it is very easy to read/understand. I never knew the OT was divided by 4 parts. I like some of the questions, "was the Bible inspired?", etc. And I like the 61-day "survey" reading plan, which can quickly get me through my Bible for the first time in an overall review, then I can go back and do the entire Bible with the 365-day plan. My ONLY issue is one that would concern "King James" proponents. The authors do not explain how the KJV and "the modern versions" come from 2 different groups of source documents. Since they DO discuss these source documents, I felt this should have been pointed out (why I rated 4 1/2 stars vice 5). But they do name a couple of the "paraphrase" translations they felt weren't the greatest. HOWEVER, even if you are a "King James only" advocate (I prefer KJV, but am not KJV only), I would still highly recommend this book. You may disagree with the 3 pages re: translations, but the remainder of the book is very solid and packed with useful information. This book makes me feel 200% smarter about the bible, and I'm not even finished yet. I would include in my "Top 10 Books to have on my Bible Shelf" (Highly recommend as a gift for new Christians) It is one of the most sensibly laid-out books I've ever read on any subject; the authors have taken a very difficult topic and made is seem so "easy". The ability to do this almost borders on brilliant.

Reviewed by Barbara Williams (Holyoke, MA), February 15, 2008

Well written is layman English and a good read. It also gives you scriptures to read where they are explaining to you and it does make it clear.

Reviewed by Kelly Shope (Carlisle, PA), January 25, 2008

"How to Read your Bible" is a blessing and incredible tool for students and adults alike! It will not only give insight concerning the treasure that God's Word is, it is also a fun and informative way to fall in love with God and His Word fresh and anew! Thank you David and Renee Sandord for your anointed book and teaching of God's Word! Thank you CBD for making this great resource available! Five stars and more!

Reviewed by Jeanne Zornes (Wenatchee, WA), April 05, 2006

I’m for anything that encourages reading and applying scripture, and the Sanfords’ book does just that. Though the introductory narrative focuses on college students reading the Bible together, the book’s thrust is appropriate for all ages. Every time we read our Bibles, we understand and discover new things. Consider the Sanfords’ book as a fresh pick-axe to uncover the gems of God’s Word. If you’ve always read sequentially from Genesis through Revelation, try another one of their reading plans in the back of the book.

Write a review of How to Read Your Bible

Author: David Sanford
Located in: Portland, Oregon
Submitted: May 09, 2006

    Tell us a little about yourself.  David and Renee Sanford are the founders and directors of Sanford Communications, Inc. Their company's literary and editorial services agencies work closely with Christian leaders, ministries, and publishers to create new resources that will change people's lives now and for eternity. David and Renee have served as the editors, contributing authors, and coauthors of scores of books produced by more than a dozen leading Christian publishers. In addition, David has served as the literary agent for nearly two hundred fifty books published in thirty-six languages around the world. Among their credits, David and Renee Sanford are the conceptual designers and authors of the Living Faith Bible (Tyndale House). As well, David is the conceptual designer and executive editor, and Renee is a contributing editor and theological reviewer, for the Starting Point Study Bible (Zondervan). Most recently, David, Renee, and Sanford Communications, Inc., are the creators of three brand-new BibleZines (Thomas Nelson) and the new book, How to Read Your Bible (W Publishing Group). David and Renee have been happily married for more than twenty-three years and make their home in Portland, Oregon. They have five children Elizabeth (married to Billy Honeycutt), Shawna, Jonathan, Benjamin, Annalise, and one grandson, John.

    What was your motivation behind this project?  The atmosphere and clientele of one of the most popular university coffee shops the Pacific Northwest inspired the "half-novel" setting of How to Read Your Bible. Using a "half-novel, half-conversation" approach, we dive into some of the tough questions about the Bible, including: * Why Should I Read the Bible? * Is My Bible Inspired? * Is My Translation Trustworthy? * What About Apparent Errors? * Where Do I Start Reading the Bible? * What Do I Look for When I'm Reading? * How Do I Make Sense of What I'm Reading? * How Do I Personalize What I'm Reading? * What Do I Do After I Read?

    What do you hope folks will gain from this project?  Up until now, your Bible reading may have been pretty hit-and-miss. To be honest, so far you may have only hit Genesis, the first half of Exodus, part of Psalms, and portions of the New Testament and missed the rest. The thought of reading from Genesis to Revelation is exciting-but slightly intimidating. You'd like some help! Where do you turn? For every Christian who wants to read or is trying to read through the whole Bible, here is the book that shows the way! After all, it takes more than good intentions and will power to get that needed epiphany that "I really can read through God's Word."

    Who are your influences, sources of inspiration or favorite authors / artists?  Did you know only three percent (3%) of American churches have a plan to encourage members to the Bible cover to cover? That's about to change! We want to encourage hundreds of thousands of people to read the Bible cover to cover for the first time. More than 40 Christian leaders have already enthusiastically endorsed our How to Read Your Bible campaign. World-renowned evangelist, author, and broadcaster Luis Palau says: "I love How to Read Your Bible” and for good reason! After all, God promises a high definition life to those who delight in His Word, take it to heart, and do what He says. This faith-building book by my good friends David and Renee Sanford will help you experience the joy and blessing of the Lord in rich, new ways.

    Anything else you'd like readers / listeners to know:  Visit www.howtoreadyourbible.com to discover what other Christian leaders say about this book, read free excerpts, check out the latest reviews, find out about discounts of up to 50%, review three online Bible reading plans, and much more.

• Books >> Christian Living >> Discipleship >> Spiritual Disciplines >> Studying the Bible
• Christian Living >> Discipleship >> Spiritual Disciplines >> Studying the Bible
• Start A New Christianbook.com Search