How to Read the Bible
A Beginner's Guide to Understanding Scripture
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course, you'll be able to:
Find any passage in the Bible
Read it with understanding
Reflect on what it means for you
Concepts
Key Concepts of the Course
Click on each concept to develop it with a brief definition or explanation.
S-O-A-P
How to read a reference
How the Bible is organized
Organization of the Bible
One Book. 66 Stories. One Message.
The Bible is divided into two main sections:
- 39 books - Written before the birth of Jesus
- Covers creation, history, poetry, and prophecy
- Key books: Genesis, Psalms, Proverbs, Isaiah
- 27 books - Written after the birth of Jesus
- Covers the life of Jesus, the early church, and letters to believers
- Key books: Matthew, John, Romans, Revelation
Use this side of the card to provide more information about a topic. Focus on one concept. Make learning and communication more efficient.
Use this side of the card to provide more information about a topic. Focus on one concept. Make learning and communication more efficient.
Title
Title
Old Testament
New Testament
Write a brief description here
Write a brief description here
How to read a reference
Every Passage Has an Address
Let's decode John 3:16 together: John = the name of the book 3 = the chapter within that book 16 = the specific verse within that chapter
Bible references follow a simple formula: Book : Chapter : Verse
Knowledge Check
In the reference Psalm 23:1, what is the chapter?
S-O-A-P
Meet S-O-A-P
Your simple Bible reading tool
S - Scripture: What does it say? O - Observation: What do you notice? A - Application: What does it mean for your life? P - Prayer: How will you respond?
S-O-A-P in action
Let's try it together with Psalm 23:1 "The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing." S: God is described as a provider O: This verse uses the image of a shepherd A: I can trust God to meet my needs P: Lord, help me trust you today
Quiz
3 quick questions - you've got this!
Assessment
Q1: What are the two parts of the Bible?
Assessment
Q2: In Romans 8:28, what is the chapter?
Assessment
Q3: What does the A in S-O-A-P stand for?
Congratulations on completing the course - you did it! You now have a tool for reading Scripture you can use every single day.
How to read a reference
Ever seen something like "John 3:16" and wondered what those numbers mean? Bible references are like an address - they tell you exactly where to find a specific passage. Once you crack the code, you'll be able to navigate the Bible with confidence.
How the Bible is organized
Before you can find your way around the Bible, it helps to understand how it's put together. The Bible isn't just one book - it's a collection of 66 books written across thousands of years. Once you know the basic structure, finding any passage becomes a lot less intimidating.
S-O-A-P
Reading the Bible is one thing - understanding it is another. S-O-A-P is a simple four-step framework that helps you slow down, dig deeper, and connect what you're reading to your own life. It's one of the most widely used Bible reading tools in ministry settings, and you'll be able to use it every time you open Scripture.
How to Read the Bible
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Created on April 28, 2026
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Transcript
How to Read the Bible
A Beginner's Guide to Understanding Scripture
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course, you'll be able to:
Find any passage in the Bible
Read it with understanding
Reflect on what it means for you
Concepts
Key Concepts of the Course
Click on each concept to develop it with a brief definition or explanation.
S-O-A-P
How to read a reference
How the Bible is organized
Organization of the Bible
One Book. 66 Stories. One Message.
The Bible is divided into two main sections:
Use this side of the card to provide more information about a topic. Focus on one concept. Make learning and communication more efficient.
Use this side of the card to provide more information about a topic. Focus on one concept. Make learning and communication more efficient.
Title
Title
Old Testament
New Testament
Write a brief description here
Write a brief description here
How to read a reference
Every Passage Has an Address
Let's decode John 3:16 together: John = the name of the book 3 = the chapter within that book 16 = the specific verse within that chapter
Bible references follow a simple formula: Book : Chapter : Verse
Knowledge Check
In the reference Psalm 23:1, what is the chapter?
S-O-A-P
Meet S-O-A-P
Your simple Bible reading tool
S - Scripture: What does it say? O - Observation: What do you notice? A - Application: What does it mean for your life? P - Prayer: How will you respond?
S-O-A-P in action
Let's try it together with Psalm 23:1 "The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing." S: God is described as a provider O: This verse uses the image of a shepherd A: I can trust God to meet my needs P: Lord, help me trust you today
Quiz
3 quick questions - you've got this!
Assessment
Q1: What are the two parts of the Bible?
Assessment
Q2: In Romans 8:28, what is the chapter?
Assessment
Q3: What does the A in S-O-A-P stand for?
Congratulations on completing the course - you did it! You now have a tool for reading Scripture you can use every single day.
How to read a reference
Ever seen something like "John 3:16" and wondered what those numbers mean? Bible references are like an address - they tell you exactly where to find a specific passage. Once you crack the code, you'll be able to navigate the Bible with confidence.
How the Bible is organized
Before you can find your way around the Bible, it helps to understand how it's put together. The Bible isn't just one book - it's a collection of 66 books written across thousands of years. Once you know the basic structure, finding any passage becomes a lot less intimidating.
S-O-A-P
Reading the Bible is one thing - understanding it is another. S-O-A-P is a simple four-step framework that helps you slow down, dig deeper, and connect what you're reading to your own life. It's one of the most widely used Bible reading tools in ministry settings, and you'll be able to use it every time you open Scripture.