“I’ve tried to read the Bible, but I get intimidated by how long it is!”​—Briana, 15.

Do you feel that way? This article can help you!

• Why read the Bible?

• How should I read the Bible?

• What your peers say

Why read the Bible?

Does the idea of reading the Bible sound less than appealing? If so, it’s understandable. You may think of the Bible as a book with more than a thousand pages of small type and no pictures​—not much competition for TV and videos!

But think of it this way: If you came across a huge ancient treasure chest, wouldn’t you be curious about what’s inside?

The Bible is just such a treasure chest. It contains many gems of wisdom that will help you to

• Make good decisions

• Get along with your parents

• Find the best kind of friends

• Cope with stress

How can such an ancient book be so practical for our day? It’s because “all Scripture is inspired of God.” (2 Timothy 3:​16) That means the advice in the Bible comes from the best Source possible.

How should I read the Bible?

One way is to read the Bible from cover to cover. That will give you an overview of the Bible’s message. There are many ways to read the Bible. Consider two examples:

• You could read the 66 Bible books in the order in which they appear, from Genesis to Revelation.

• You could read the Bible chronologically​—that is, in the order in which the events related actually occurred.

Tip: Appendix A7 in the New World Translation gives a chronological list of the main events of Jesus’ life on earth.

A second way to read the Bible is to select an account that relates to a challenge you are facing. For example:

• Would you like to find trustworthy friends? Read the story of Jonathan and David. (1 Samuel, chapters 18-​20) Then use the worksheet “How to Find Loyal Friends” to learn practical lessons from the account.

• Would you like to strengthen your ability to resist temptation? Read the story of how Joseph resisted temptation. (Genesis, chapter 39) Then use the worksheets “How to Resist Temptation . . . Joseph​—Part 1” and “Falsely Accused! Joseph​—Part 2” to learn practical lessons from the account.

• Would you like to learn how prayer can help you? Read Nehemiah’s experience. (Nehemiah, chapter 2) Then use the worksheet “God Answered His Prayer” to learn practical lessons from the account.

Tip: When you read the Bible, make sure your surroundings are quiet so that you can concentrate.

A third way to read the Bible is to pick an account or a psalm, read it, and then consider how it applies to you. After reading, ask yourself questions such as these:

• Why did Jehovah include this in the Bible?

• What does it reveal about Jehovah’s personality or way of doing things?

• How can I apply this information in my life?

Tip: Use the study edition of the New World Translation to access videos, maps, and other features that will help you get the most out of your Bible reading.

“The Bible can seem boring,” says a teenager named Will, “if you don’t know the right way to read it.”

Would you like to discover the secrets of how to enjoy Bible reading? This article will help you.

• Make the Scriptures live

• Investigate!

• What your peers say

Make the Scriptures live

Get involved in what you read. You could use this approach:

1. Select a Bible account that you would like to study. You could pick a Bible event or a passage from a Gospel, or you could choose an account from the collection of dramatic Bible readings available on jw.org.

2. Read the account. You could read it by yourself, or you could read it aloud with friends or family members. One person could read the narration while others take on character parts.

3. Try one or more of the following suggestions:

   • Draw pictures to illustrate the account. Or draw a storyboard​—a series of simple pictures that illustrate a sequence of events. Use captions to describe what is happening in each scene.

   • Draw diagrams. For example, as you read about a faithful character, connect that person’s qualities and actions with the blessings he or she received.

   • Turn the account into a news story. Report the event from several perspectives, and include “interviews” with the main characters and eyewitnesses.

   • If one of the characters in the account made an unwise decision, imagine a different ending. For example, consider Peter’s denial of Jesus. (Mark 14:66-​72) How could Peter have responded better to the pressure?

   • If you are feeling especially creative, take on the challenge of writing your own drama based on a Bible account. Include lessons that can be learned from the account.​—Romans 15:4.

     

Investigate!

If you analyze details, you can uncover hidden gems in an account. In fact, sometimes just a word or two in a Bible account is significant.

For example, compare Matthew 28:7 with Mark 16:7.

• Why did Mark include the detail that Jesus would soon appear to the disciples “and Peter”?

• Clue: Mark was not an eyewitness of these events; evidently, he got his information from Peter.

• The hidden gem: Why must Peter have felt reassured to hear that Jesus wanted to see him again? (Mark 14:66-​72) How did Jesus prove himself a real friend to Peter? How can you imitate Jesus and be a real friend to others?

When you make the Scriptures live and investigate the details, Bible reading becomes much more enjoyable!