The Digital Sanctuary · The Word
Just Open It.
Start with the Gospels. Start with the Psalms. Start with Genesis. The book does not care where you begin. God just wants you there with it, because His Word is not a reading exercise. It is oxygen.
You do not need a theology degree. You do not need to understand every verse. You just need to begin. The Word of God has a way of finding you exactly where you are and speaking exactly what you need. I know because that is what it did for me.
Hanna, Vine & The BranchWhat is on this page
What you will find here
Your Starting Kit
Bible Reading 101
Everything you need before you open the first page. Materials, posture, and the right questions to ask.
New to Scripture?
Where to Start
You do not have to begin at Genesis 1. Here are four doors into the Word, each a different kind of entry point.
Before Everything Else
The Gospel
Not a religion. Not a set of rules. A story of God seeking lost people through Jesus Christ. The most important word in the Christian life.
How to Read the Bible: The Gospel
Fr Mike Schmitz
Where Do I Start?
Feeling overwhelmed by the Bible is completely normal. Fr Mike explains why and how to begin anyway.
Where Do I Start with the Bible?
Sit With the Word
Teachings & Reflections
Talks and reflections on what it means to live inside the Word of God, not just read it.
What It Means to Be the Word
How to Deepen Your Time with God
How the Holy Spirit Works in the Bible
Scripture and the Word of God
Living the Word
Go Deeper
Study Methods & Commentaries
There is no one right way to study the Bible. Here are methods that work and commentaries to guide you when a passage stops you cold.
6 Bible Study Methods to Know and Try
A practical breakdown of the most useful study approaches with guidance on when to use each one.
Bible Gateway
Free Online Bible Study Guides
Study guides for every book and major topic, designed for individuals and small groups alike.
Bible Project
How to Study the Bible
Beginner’s Guide to Studying the Bible
Bible Study Method Deep Dive
Trusted Resources
Commentaries Worth Knowing
When you need scholarly grounding behind a passage, these are the places to go.
David Guzik Bible Commentary
A trusted free commentary covering the entire Bible. Clear, accessible, and beloved by everyday Christians.
Enduring Word
Matthew Henry Complete Commentary
The classic devotional commentary. Rich, warm, and centuries-tested.
Bible Study Tools
Multiple Commentaries in One Place
Compare Augustine, Calvin, Spurgeon, and dozens more side by side on any verse.
Bible Hub
Free Online Bible Study App
Commentaries, original language tools, concordances, and cross-references all in one free resource.
Blue Letter Bible
Video Collection
Know Your Style
Group vs Individual
Both are valuable. Both are different. Understanding which one you are in right now helps you engage with the Word on the right terms.
A Life-Changing Journey
Bible in a Year
365 episodes. The entire Bible, read aloud, with commentary and prayer. Fr Mike Schmitz’s podcast has genuinely changed how people encounter Scripture.
The Bible in a Year with Fr Mike Schmitz
The most-downloaded Catholic podcast in history. Fr Mike reads through the entire Bible with commentary and prayer every day.
Apple Podcasts
The Bible in a Year: Malayalam
Fr Daniel Poovannathil guides Malayalam speakers through the entire Bible in 365 episodes.
Apple Podcasts
Bible in a Year: Full Archive
Every episode available to stream directly from the Ascension Press website.
Ascension Press
Which Bible to Choose
Your Bible Shelf
The translation matters less than opening it. But here are the ones most recommended for study, reflection, and journaling.
Journaling Editions
Bibles Made to Write In
A journaling Bible gives you room to respond to God in the margins. If you process by writing, this changes everything.
Make It a Habit
Bible Reading Plans
A reading plan turns the intention to read Scripture into an actual daily practice. Three trusted starting points.
Free Bible Reading Plans: 30 Plus Options
Thematic, book-by-book, and annual plans with animated video guides included.
Bible Project
Top 21 Bible Reading Plans for 2025
A comprehensive comparison with descriptions and honest pros and cons for each plan.
Bible Study Together
Bible Reading Plans: Downloadable
Simple, printable plans designed to make reading through Scripture meaningful and doable in a year.
The Navigators
Not Just Reading
Living the Word
Scripture is meant to be transformative. These two reflections speak directly to what it means to carry what you read into the rest of your life.
Living the Word, Not Just Reading It
Making Scripture a Daily Habit
The Big Picture
Understand the Bible on One Timeline
One of the most helpful things you can do early on is understand how the whole story fits together. This video does exactly that.
The Bible Timeline Explained
Understand the Bible: Full Series
Continue Your Journey