The Bible was originally written in Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek. Today, we read it through translations that faithfully communicate those ancient texts in language we can understand.

If you’re just getting started, we recommend the New International Version, often abbreviated NIV. It is clear, trustworthy, and easy to read.

At Summit, our pastors primarily teach from the NIV, so it’s a great place to begin.

You may also enjoy the New Living Translation, often abbreviated NLT, which uses more modern wording and can be especially helpful for new readers.

If you prefer reading on your phone, we recommend downloading the YouVersion Bible App. It includes the NIV, NLT, reading plans, audio Bibles, and simple tools to help you stay consistent.

There is also a Bible App for Kids designed to help children engage with Scripture in an age-appropriate way.

Once you’ve found a translation, you may wonder, “Can I trust the Bible we have today?” That’s an important question. The Bible is the most well-preserved collection of ancient writings in history, and scholars can compare thousands of ancient manuscripts to verify its accuracy. To learn more, watch Is Our Bible Accurate?

👉 Download the YouVersion Bible App and start with the Gospel of John.

Bible reading becomes more consistent when you have a simple plan.

You don’t need to read for an hour a day to grow. Start small. Ten minutes a day is a great beginning. The goal is not to rush through the Bible, but to build a rhythm of meeting with God in His Word.

If you’re newer to the Bible or rebuilding a habit, we recommend starting with the How to Read the Bible Plan. This short plan will help you understand how the Bible fits together and give you a foundation for reading Scripture with confidence.

When you’re ready for a longer journey, the Read Scripture App is a great guide for reading through the Bible in a year and seeing how the whole story points to Jesus.

Prefer using a paper Bible? You can follow along with the Read Scripture PDF Plan and move through the same yearly reading rhythm at your own pace.

If you'd like additional help, consider using a Study Bible, which includes notes, maps, and articles to help explain what you're reading.

👉 Start with the How to Read the Bible Plan and build a simple daily rhythm.

The Bible makes more sense when you understand its context.

Before asking, “What does this mean to me?” it helps to ask, “Who wrote this? Who were they writing to? What was happening at the time?” Context helps us understand what God was communicating then so we can better apply it now.

A great place to start is the Bible Project website. Its videos, podcasts, and articles help you see how each part of the Bible fits into one unified story that leads to Jesus.

If you'd like to take a deeper journey, we recommend the first 204 episodes of the BEMA Podcast. This series walks chronologically through the Bible and explores the historical, cultural, and literary context behind Scripture, helping you read the Bible through the eyes of its original audience.

For those who want to slow down and go verse by verse, The Listener’s Commentary is a study of the Bible by Theologian Dr. John Whittaker. It’s a helpful resource for studying individual books and passages of the Bible with greater depth and clarity.

👉 Start with the Bible Project website and learn the story behind the story.

Every Bible reader eventually encounters something confusing, challenging, or difficult to understand. You’re not doing it wrong.

When you come across a passage you don’t understand, don’t stop reading. Keep going, keep learning, and keep asking questions.

Questions aren’t a sign of weak faith—they’re often how deeper faith begins.

Some answers come quickly. Others take time, prayer, study, and conversations with other believers.

If you've ever been confused by a difficult passage, the Work Through the Weird Stuff article can help start an honest conversation about some of the common challenges people encounter in the Bible.

God never intended us to follow Jesus alone. Joining a Small Group is a great way to process questions, learn from others, and grow alongside people who are pursuing Jesus too.

Have a specific question or want to talk with someone? You can ask a question or meet with a pastor. We’d love to help you keep moving forward.

👉 Don't let your questions stop your journey. Let them deepen it.

The goal of reading the Bible is not just to gain information—it’s to be transformed by God.

As you read, slow down and ask God to show you what He wants you to see.

A simple prayer can be:

"God, what do You want me to understand? What do You want me to trust? What do You want me to do?"

As you read, consider questions like:

• What does this teach me about God?
• What does this reveal about me?
• Is there a promise to trust?
• Is there a step of obedience to take?

God never intended us to walk through life alone. If you're facing a challenge, celebrating an answer to prayer, or simply need someone to stand with you, visit our Prayer Wall to share a prayer request, encourage others, or pray for people in our church family.

If you'd like help developing a consistent prayer life, explore the Guided Prayer resource, a simple tool that can help you pray through what you're reading.

👉 Don’t just read God’s Word. Talk with God about it, then take one step to live it out.

Simply reading the Bible for yourself is the most important thing. Everything on this page is meant to support that—not replace it.

Once you've built a habit of reading, understanding, and applying Scripture, these resources can help you continue growing.

Looking for a wide variety of Biblical content? Explore RightNow Media, a library of Bible studies, videos, courses, and discipleship resources for every stage of life.

Want to listen through the Bible without going verse by verse? Check out the Bible Brief Podcast, which walks through every book of the Bible in short, easy-to-follow episodes.

Enjoy thought-provoking animated content? Explore IMBeggar and God Built, which use visual storytelling to explore biblical themes, theology, and big questions about faith.

Want to develop your Bible study skills? Explore How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth, Blue Letter Bible, or the Logos Bible Study Platform.

Interested in apologetics and evidence for the Christian faith? Explore The Case for Christ, I Don’t Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist, and Cold-Case Christianity

Looking for your next book? Visit the Summit Library for additional recommendations and resources.

Disclaimer: These resources are meant to support your growth, not replace Scripture, church community, or personal discernment. While generally helpful, they may include views that differ from Summit's positions.

👉 Keep reading Scripture, stay connected to Christian community, and never stop growing.

Every week, people from all over the world attend church services. Some meet in church buildings, while others meet in homes. They speak different languages and worship God in diverse ways. But despite their differences, they share a common value—gathering regularly. Why? Why do we go to church? Let’s explore a few reasons together.

What is “Church”?

For many of us, when we think of the word “church,” we think about a building—but it wasn’t always that way. Thousands of years ago, Jesus called His followers together and gave them a mission: to tell the world how to find forgiveness, love, and purpose in Jesus. And that’s what the early followers did.

They told people the good news of Jesus’ love and forgiveness and encouraged people to imitate Jesus’ way of life. These followers didn’t have a building to go to each weekend; they were the Church.

The early church made a habit of spending time together. They shared meals, sang, learned Scripture, and encouraged one another. The tradition of gathering regularly was passed down through the generations. One key verse about gathering comes from an early-church author, who wrote:

And let us consider how to spur one another on to love and good deeds. Let us not neglect meeting together, as some have made a habit, but let us encourage one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:24-25 BSB

Over two thousand years, the church has expanded, adapted, and diversified. But almost every Christian tradition still shares the value of gathering regularly. Why?

Why Do We Go to Church? Here are 3 Reasons.

1. We all need encouragement.

Isolation can feel comfortable, right? Nothing but you, your hobbies, and your own preferences to care about. You don’t have to worry about meeting anyone’s expectations or letting people down. You also get to avoid the potential heartbreak and disappointment that relationships can create. But these short-term advantages can’t outweigh the downsides of living without meaningful relationships.

We simply aren’t built to go through life alone. All on our own, we’re vulnerable to destructive habits and negative self-talk. We also miss out on the strength that grows through friendship.

Christians are people who are learning to live and love like Jesus. The way of Jesus isn’t always easy, but when we gather regularly with other Jesus followers, our strength, passion, and conviction multiply. So we go to church because it’s a place to find encouragement through relationships.

Going to a local church or an online church every week gives you the opportunity to meet new people who can help you grow in your faith. It can also give you opportunities to share life-giving encouragement with others.

2. We all have room to grow.

Understanding what it means to be a Christian is simple. We’re called to live and love like Jesus as we follow Him. But have you noticed that Jesus is perfect, and we’re not?

Fortunately, God is full of grace for us—and we all have room to grow in that grace. Listening to pastors and leaders on a regular basis gives us opportunities to grow in faith. It can be uncomfortable to learn about areas of personal growth, but it’s worth it.

And the growth isn’t meant to be one-way. As we continually become more like Jesus, we have the opportunity and calling to help others do the same. All of us have stories of how God has been working in our lives. When we share those stories, we help others to go deeper in their faith too.

3. We grow best with different perspectives.

Everyone has a unique background and perspective. That means we all experience God in different ways. For example, someone celebrating a major life event might see a Bible verse about God’s goodness differently than someone who has recently gone through a loss. Both perspectives are meaningful—and both can inform how we understand God.

We have a lot to learn about God through people from different places. People view faith, God, and the Bible through the lens of their culture. So we have a lot to learn about God through people from different places. When we go to church, we expose ourselves to alternate perspectives and cultural understandings of God and gain a richer understanding of what it means to follow Jesus.

Why do we go to church? Because we need each other.

The Church isn’t a building, it’s people following Jesus together. So let’s make a habit of gathering together. Spending time with each other regularly is a gift, so let’s make the most of it!

If you’re new to church, you might notice there are many different kinds—Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian, Non-denominational, and more. These are called denominations, and they’re kind of like different branches of the same family. Most Christian churches share the same core beliefs—like who Jesus is and the message of the Bible—but they may differ in how they worship, how their leadership is structured, or how they interpret certain parts of Scripture.

Some churches are more traditional, with formal services and liturgy, while others are more modern or casual in style. Some are part of large networks with shared beliefs and history, while others are independent or non-denominational—meaning they don’t belong to a specific group but still hold to core Christian teachings.

At the heart of it all, the goal is the same: to know God, grow in faith, and follow Jesus together in community.

Finding the right church can be tricky. Especially if you’re new to church to begin with. That’s why we offer a class here at Summit called:

Step 1: Is Summit Church Perfect for You?

The purpose of Step 1 is to orient you to all things Summit Church so that you can discern if this is the family of faith that God has for you.

Step 1 happens on the first Sunday of each month, at 11:30 a.m. upstairs in the Next Steps Room. The class ends at 12:15. Snacks and water are provided. Childcare is also provided however, your kids are welcome to come in and sit with you if you prefer. You do not need to sign up.

Some months the schedule may vary so please double-check the calendar. If you can't make it in-person you can take Step 1 Online by clicking here.

By now, you know that church is about relationships. Attending church can help you grow in relationship with God and with other people. So, how do we make the most of attending church? How do we give ourselves the best opportunity to experience encouragement and growth through diverse relationships?

We attend regularly. Going to the gym twice a year is better than not going at all, but it’s probably not going to make a huge difference in your fitness. In the same way, going to church once in a while is good, but it’s probably not going to make a meaningful difference in your daily life. So make an intentional habit of attending that works for you.

We get to know someone better each week. Talking to strangers can be intimidating, but it’s the first step to building lasting friendships. So make a habit of being curious. Ask questions, and share a bit about yourself. One way to do this is by joining a group of people you can journey more closely with as you all grow in your faith together, encouraging each other. We call these Community Groups.

We share what we have. The early church used what they had for the good of others. Some had physical resources, others had life experience, and some had extra time to spend doing God’s work. You have something that someone else needs. It might be a skill, special talent, or resource that can make a difference in someone’s life. Often it looks like seeking service opportunities and being generous with your resources.

Church isn’t a place; it’s people following Jesus together. So let’s make a habit of gathering together with a local church or online church whenever we can.

Prayer is meant to be a personal conversation with God—like you would have with friends, family, or a mentor. Take the pressure off. Let go of how you think you should pray and just talk with God openly and honestly.

Watch this video to discover some example prayers to help you get started.