Finding books in the Bible quickly can be a valuable skill, whether for personal study or participating in church activities. Here’s how you can find any book in the Bible in 10 seconds or less, just like I did when I was a Draw Your Sword champion in my church.
Memorise the Arrangement of the Books
The easiest way to memorise the books in the Bible is to learn them in groups. Start with the New Testament. Here’s a grouping system to follow:
- Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Acts, Romans
- First and Second Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians
- Philippians, Colossians, 1st and 2nd Thessalonians
- 1st and 2nd Timothy, Titus, Philemon
- Hebrews, James, 1 & 2 Peter, 1, 2 & 3 John
- Jude and Revelation
Do something similar for the Old Testament!
Practice writing down the books of the Bible every day for one or two weeks. This time frame will help you memorise the books effectively.
Read Your Bible Frequently
The more often you read your Bible, the more familiar you’ll become with its structure. This natural familiarity will help you locate books quickly without conscious memorisation. Regular Bible reading builds an intuitive sense of where each book is located.
Use the Table of Contents
Using the Table of Contents is a smart starting point if you’re struggling to find a book. Don’t be shy about it. Over time, as you become more familiar with the Bible, you will rely on it less and less. The Table of Contents is located at the front of your Bible.
Utilise Tools and Develop Consistent Habits
Get a Bible with a Thumb Index: This feature allows you to find books quickly, as they are marked on the side for easy access.
Stick to One Bible: Using the same Bible consistently helps you become more familiar with its layout, making it easier to find books. Over time, the pages will become familiar, and finding specific books will become second nature.
Participate in Bible Drills
Engaging in Bible drills or similar activities can be a fun way to practice and improve your speed in finding books.
Pay Attention to Smaller or Less Popular Books
Paying more attention to smaller or less popular books can be incredibly helpful. Most people aren’t familiar with their location, so spending time learning where books like Obadiah, Philemon, or Habakkuk are can give you an edge.
Practice!
Test your ability to find books in the Bible with this easy to use random Bible verse generator. All you need to do is click ‘Next verse’ and you’ll get a different scripture. See how quickly you can locate each book and improve your speed and accuracy.
Mastering the skill of quickly finding books in the Bible enhances your personal devotion, study and participation in church activities. Keep practicing these tips, and soon you’ll be able to find any book in the Bible in seconds!
