Start Somewhere: How I Actually Learned to Study the Bible

I used to open my Bible and feel completely lost. I’d start in Genesis and get stuck by Leviticus. Or I’d flip to a Psalm, read a few verses, and wonder if it was supposed to make more sense than it did.

It wasn’t that I didn’t love Jesus; I did. I do. But studying Scripture felt like something for people who had it all together. People with seminary degrees. People who knew what “exegetical” meant. Not girls like me who were just trying to make it through the day without falling apart.

But God met me right there. Not in a perfectly highlighted Bible, not with a five-point study plan, but in the quiet, slow, messy middle of trying.

And if you're sitting there, maybe feeling a little lost too, I want to tell you: you can study the Bible. You really can. You don’t have to know everything. You don’t have to have the perfect journal. You just have to start somewhere.

So here’s how I study Scripture now. Real, honest, and doable. Not perfect. Not fancy. But full of grace.

1. I Start with Prayer, Even When It’s Just “Lord, Help Me”

I don’t skip this part anymore. I used to rush right in, like I was cramming for a test. But now I know better.

I pray first. Sometimes it’s deep and heartfelt, and sometimes it’s just whispered through tears: “God, I need You to help me understand.”

Scripture is God-breathed, but we need His Spirit to breathe it into our hearts. So whether I’m wide awake or barely dragging myself out of bed, I start with a simple invitation: Speak, Lord. I’m listening.

2. I Read Slow, And I Pay Attention to What Stirs My heart

I used to think I had to read whole chapters at a time. But these days, if I only get through three verses and the Holy Spirit grabs hold of one of them, that’s more than enough.

If something jumps off the page - a phrase, a word, a name of God - I underline it, circle it, jot a little margin note. That’s usually the Spirit nudging me to slow down and lean in.

And when I don’t feel anything? I read anyway. Not because I have to, but because I want to show up for this relationship.

3. I Ask Questions, Like I’m Sitting Across from Jesus

This one changed everything for me.

Now, I read Scripture like a conversation. I’ll pause and ask:

• Why did that happen?

• What does this show me about God’s character?

• How would I feel if I were that person?

• Where is Jesus in this story?

I write my questions in the margin, or I pray them out loud. And slowly, the Bible starts to feel less like a textbook… and more like a testimony.

4. I Look for God’s Names + His Heart on Every Page

This is one of my favorite ways to study: looking for who God is, not just what He does.

Is He the God who provides (Jehovah Jireh)? The God who sees me (El Roi)? The Good Shepherd? The Father who runs toward prodigals?

When I start there - with His character - I stop trying to make the Bible about me, and I start seeing the beauty of who He is. And that changes everything.

5. I Let It Lead Me to Jesus

Every part of Scripture, from Genesis to Revelation, points to Jesus. Every story whispers His name. And when I study, I ask: How does this reflect the Gospel?

Whether it’s a Psalm of David, a strange law in Leviticus, or a miracle in Mark, I look for how it reveals God’s rescue plan, His mercy, His faithfulness, His grace.

Because this whole book is a love letter. And Jesus is the Word made flesh.

6. I Don’t Stress About “Perfect”, I Just Show Up

Some days I journal two pages. Some days I just whisper a verse on the way to an appointment.

Some days I light a candle and sit in peace. Some days I read with tired eyes and a crying heart.

But I’ve learned: the fruit comes from showing up.

Not from knowing everything.
Not from reading the whole Bible in a year.
Not from checking off a list.

But from daily, messy, faithful time in His Word. Just me and Jesus.

Friend, if you’re feeling overwhelmed by studying Scripture, I get it.
But you don’t have to wait until you feel “ready.”
You can start today.
Start small. Start slow. Start honest.

Just start.

Because when you do, you’ll find that God isn’t hiding.
He’s right there, ready to meet you on the page.
And that Bible? It isn’t just a book.

It’s the breath of life.
And it’s for you.