By: Chris Jolly

Scripture Union NSW CEO Jim Wackett shares practical advice for understanding God’s Word and growing in faith.

Jim Wackett says the Bible is best understood as a library of books that together tell one great story.

“It’s a library of 66 books,” Jim said.

“It’s a mixture of history, law, biography, poetry, wisdom literature and letters.”

While those books cover a wide range of genres and time periods, Jim believes they all contribute to one overarching narrative.

“They all form part of one great narrative arc that tells the story of humankind’s sin and brokenness and the way that God has sought to reconcile Himself with humanity, particularly through His Son Jesus.”

Start with Jesus

One of the most common mistakes new readers make is starting at Genesis and attempting to read straight through to Revelation.

While that approach works for some people, Jim recommends beginning with Jesus.

He calls it the “Star Wars approach”.

“Start with the story’s great hero first and then go into the hero’s backstory,” Jim said.

For new Christians, Jim recommends:

1. Start with the Gospel of Mark.
2. Read the Gospel of Luke.
3. Continue into the book of Acts.
4. Then begin exploring the Old Testament.

The Gospels present the life, teachings, death and resurrection of Jesus, while Acts tells the story of the early church and how the message of Jesus spread throughout the world.

Every story in the Bible ultimately points towards Jesus.

Understanding the Old Testament

Once readers understand the story of Jesus, Jim believes the Old Testament becomes much easier to understand.

From Noah and Abraham to Moses, David and the prophets, many of the Bible’s major figures point forward to the coming of Christ.

Jim recalled a line from The Jesus Storybook Bible that has stayed with him over the years:

“Every story whispers His name.”

While the Old Testament contains remarkable stories, it also highlights humanity’s need for a Saviour.

The stories of Genesis, Exodus and the historical books help readers understand both the human condition and God’s plan of redemption that ultimately finds its fulfilment in Jesus.

Don’t read the Bible alone

While personal Bible reading is important, Jim encouraged new Christians not to treat studying Scripture as a solo activity.

He compared it to joining a gym.

“You can go into the gym by yourself and try and work it all out, but it really helps to have a coach or trainer who can show you how things work,” he said.

In the same way, experienced Christians, churches and Bible study groups can help readers understand difficult passages and provide valuable context.

Reading with others also creates opportunities for discussion, encouragement and accountability.

Helpful tools for beginners

For those looking for practical ways to get started, Jim recommended the YouVersion Bible app, which offers reading plans, multiple translations and guided studies.

Bible reading plans can also be helpful because they break larger sections of Scripture into manageable pieces and focus on particular themes, topics or books.

Taking the first step

For those feeling intimidated by the size or complexity of the Bible, Jim’s encouragement was simple: start with Jesus and keep going.

Understanding the Bible takes time, but every chapter contributes to the bigger story of God’s relationship with humanity.

For many Christians, reading Scripture becomes not just an exercise in learning, but an important way of growing in faith and understanding the God revealed through its pages.