As a child, we had a King James Bible that sat in a cupboard, never opened. At Church we used the Missle (sp?). I tried to read the Bible couldn't make any sense out of it. My parents were never around to explain anything. In fact, my family never read the Bible at all.
I had already fallen away before leaving home. I was never an atheist, but I didn't believe any organized religion had the market cornered on “truth.”
After getting out of a bad marriage I eventually met my current (and permanent) wife. She wanted me to go to a nondenominational Church with her. I tried it and, after listening to the sermon, got curious. I decided to read the Bible (this time an American Standard translation) and decide what I believed. Before reading, I challenged God to show himself.
I read the entire Bible through in about a month. Some of what I read amazed me (i.e., “do not call anyone ‘Father’”). I bought software with several translations and commentaries along with other resources and read through again. Since then I've read most of the Bible more than once, especially several prophetic books, the Gospels and several epistles.
I now belong to a strong, Bible based Church.
One thing I learned, don't challenge God lightly!