A Simple Way to Read the Bible in Context

I was in a race, yet stood motionless, staring at a group of ten beautiful photographs—bold colors, unique textures, pretty patterns. The race was a scavenger hunt, and the photos were the clues to finding the treasure. But I was stumped. 

Each photo was taken with a macro lens, producing an extreme close-up of a tiny spot on the subject—just a small part of an ordinary thing we see every day. Things like toothbrush bristles, the weave of a dishcloth, or the dimples on a lemon. Yet, I didn’t recognize a single image. The objects in the photos seemed indiscernible. 

As I wandered around the area and looked at the things around me, I identified most of the items in the photos. The key was to gain a broader perspective, to get the “big picture.” 

Studying and reading the Bible is like a treasure hunt. Studying gives us a close-up view, like a macro lens, and reading offers a “zoomed out” perspective. If we only ever zoom in, focusing on the deeper details, we’ll sometimes struggle to discern what the “treasure” in a specific passage actually is. The big-picture view is crucial to a proper understanding of the truth nuggets contained in the treasure chest that is God’s Word. 

Why Read a Whole Book of the Bible?

All 66 books of the Bible work together to tell a complete story—God’s story of redemption. God intended for us to benefit from the entire Book—from Genesis to Revelation. When we study a specific book or passage, it’s helpful to identify where it fits within the overarching storyline of the whole Bible. In other words, an individual book or passage is like the macro-lens view, and zooming out shows us how that smaller part of Scripture fits into the bigger picture of God’s story.

Likewise, each book of the Bible was written as a whole, so we benefit from reading it as a whole. When we focus only on small passages or specific verses, we see only a partial glimpse of the author’s message. It’s like using a macro lens or magnifying glass to zoom in so close that the meaning can actually be difficult to discern. Zooming out by reading the whole book shows us the big picture or the context, which helps us understand its intended meaning.  

If you’ve never read a book of the Bible in one sitting, I promise you’re in for a treat. In my women’s Bible study group, we always begin studying a book of the Bible by reading it from start to finish, preferably in one sitting. For many women, this is a new experience. Sometimes they’re visibly disappointed when we begin to read. But without fail, by the end of the reading, every woman is wide-eyed in wonder and worship. Even when the book contains some of their most beloved passages of Scripture, they marvel at how that simple big-picture reading of the book enhances their understanding of specific verses. 

Simple Bible Study Tip: Gain the bigger picture of any passage of Scripture by reading the whole book—in one sitting, if possible. If you never develop another Bible study skill, this one alone can completely transform your understanding of God’s Word. 

How Long Does it Take to Read a Book of the Bible?

Reading a whole book of the Bible might be quicker than you think! Here’s a helpful reference guide, showing the average time it takes to read each book of the Bible. 

This chart shows the books of the Bible sorted from shortest reading time to longest. 

*The times are estimated based on an average, comfortable reading speed of 250 words per minute.

If you’re studying a longer book, you can break up this big-picture reading into shorter sections, but try to read through it in as few sessions as possible for a broad understanding of its message. 

Don’t Get Lost in the Details

As you read through an entire book of the Bible, you might have questions about certain passages, and that’s okay. But resist the temptation to pause and dig deeper for now; you can go back to them later. Write down your questions or flag them with a sticky note and continue reading. 

This big-picture reading won’t result in an immediate understanding of each verse, but it will give you a clearer view of the treasure—the truth that is God’s Word, contained in the author’s message. 

A Truth Treasure Hunt

Put away your magnifying glass for now. Step back and take in the whole breathtaking picture. 

1. Pick a shorter book—perhaps Philippians or 1 John.
2. Set aside distraction-free time.
3. Find a comfortable chair, pour a cup of tea, and simply read.

What beauty or truth did you see clearly when you zoomed out to look at the bigger picture? Consider writing down what you discover in a journal or sharing what you learned with someone else. 

Better yet, recruit a friend—or a whole group of friends—or your family to join you in reading the same book this week. Then gather over a meal and share the rich treasures you gained.

What short book of the Bible will you sit down and read this week?

May you find a treasure—truth that’s been “hiding in plain sight” all along—and respond like the psalmist:

“I rejoice in your word like one who discovers a great treasure” (Psalm 119:162 NLT).