The Bible is an amazing book, but its size can seem overwhelming. We often hear people say they don’t read their Bibles because they don’t know where to start. Though it is more common for new believers, this can be a roadblock even for those who are further along on their faith journey. And more mature believers might wrestle in silence, too embarrassed to share their struggle. But Bible portions are a great way to empower people and help build confidence as they read God’s Word.

In Personal Study

There are so many great ways to read through the Bible, but sometimes we need to pause and do a deep dive into a specific portion or Bible book. Bible portions can help us stay focused on a specific narrative and pay attention to what is happening in that part of God’s story. If you are doing a deep dive, it’s a good idea to have a full Bible close by to help give context or provide cross-references, but some Bible portions focus on a specific part of the Bible that includes multiple Bible books, which can provide the context you’re looking for. For instance, God with Us features the texts from the four Gospels, weaving them together as a single story so you can see the uniqueness and the similarities of each of the Gospel accounts. Portions can also help us see verses and themes in a new way, with fresh eyes.

In Community

Bible portions are a great way to read through the Bible in community. Individual book portions or journals allow people in a congregation to listen, take notes, and write down questions during sermons. Throughout the week, they can then reread the passage and notes and reflect on what they learned. This is a great way to enable small groups, Bible studies, or Sunday school classes to study the same passage and have discussions about what they are learning. Immerse: The Bible Reading Experience encourages small groups[JJ1] or even whole churches to read the Bible together. Immerse reading plans take you through a portion of the Bible and then instruct groups to meet once a week for a free-flowing discussion about the text, giving space for questions and building community.

In Outreach

This is probably the most traditional context we think of for using Bible portions. Some passages in the Old Testament can be difficult to understand, so starting in Genesis is not always the best way to approach the Bible. Bible portions can help start the conversation with non-Christians without overwhelming someone who has questions or is new to the gospel story. On an even more practical level, Bible portions are not as expensive, so they might be more accessible for churches or ministries with smaller budgets.

New Testaments and Bible portions can be a great first step to reading the Bible. They can help you connect with people who are trying to find answers to life’s questions and need guidance without feeling overwhelmed.