1. Is there a suggested order I should read the Bible? Which way can I get the most out of it?
the order is not as important as the method by which you read... whatever you decide... the Gospel of John as opposed to 1, II or III John... Galatians or Ephesians... get help while you read by praying for the Holy Spirit to help you understand what you read, and since the Holy Spirit has given teachers to the church, don't go it alone... the Holy Spirit has spoken to others who have studied the bible probably longer than you (and less likely but possibly than I) have been alive, so avail yourself of their commentaries... remember that the question is not so much "what does what you read mean to you?", though that is important, but even more important is "what does it mean?".... then after to get at what the text actually means or meant to the original audience you can move on to how that particular text impacts your own personal subjective life... if you want some suggestions for commentaries after you decide which book of the bible you want to read, let me know and I would be happy to suggest a few commentaries to help you on your way... btw, the notes in a good study bible would be helpful too... some study bibles you may want to consider are the NIV Study Bible (these same notes are in the NASB Study bible as well, and I prefer the NASB translation over the NIV), the Life Application Bible in numerous translations, the ESV Study Bible (my personal fav), the Spirit of the Reformation study bible (unfortunately only in the NIV but great notes), the New Geneva study bible (only NKJV)...
2. I'm having trouble completely believing in God. Could some of you share your stories on what made you believe in God and how it changed your life.
remember that typically Christians go through periods of greater and lesser faith... I often think of a prayer in the New Testament that goes "Lord, I believe, help my unbelief"... whenever doubt come, try and remember that it is highly unlikely that you personally will have any questions or any doubt that others have not experienced before you... so write down your questions which are leading to your doubt or lack of faith and research the question as thoroughly as you can... the answers are out there, you just have to dig... I can remember believing in God from a very early age, I can't say that I have really seriously doubted His existence... I did not always live for Him, but I also did not doubt Him... studying apologetics has helped me to strengthen and deepen my faith however... some books that had the greatest impact me in that sense are "Can Man Live Without God?" by Ravi Zacharias; "Scaling the Secular City" by JP Moreland; "The Holiness of God" by RC Sproul, "Apologetics to the Glory of God" by John Frame; "Faith and Reason" and "Worldviews in Conflict" by Ron Nash; "Fit Bodies Fat Minds by Os Guinness etc....
3. What are some daily prayers that I can pray to keep my life going as easy as possible?
The goal here, my friend, is not to try and live your life "as easy as possible"... that perspective puts you squarely in the middle, it puts your comfort as being the most important aspect of your Christian walk, and that position ought not be occupied by you, but rather by God and the concern for His happiness and glory... its natural to want to be happy, and God wants you to be happy by first and foremost glorifying Him, indeed, that is the only way you will ever be truly happy... but you can be happy (experience real joy) in the midst of life's trials and tribulations exactly when life is not easy... because, make no mistake about it, trials and tribulations will come... if you base your life with God on how "easy" life is going for you, you will not last long because as soon as things get hard you will start to doubt. But the thing is, God never promises things will ever go easy for you... in fact He promises that following Christ will be the hardest thing you ever do...
Mat 7:13-14 ESV "Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. (14) For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few."
but He does promise to be with you when times are hard...
John 16:33 ESV I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world."
so don't think of your Christian walk in terms of always seeking the "easy way"... God is not some kind of cosmic slot machine or giant "easy button" there for us to access whenever we want to try and make our lives as easy as possible... He is the Soveriegn Lord of the universe, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, the Holy One of Israel... and you and I are a mere sinners saved by grace through faith... this is His creation created for His pleasure and glory and you and I are just part of that whole scheme we call "creation"... He is at the center... we are not... it is His will that ultimately matters, not mine or yours... it is "Thy will be done", not "my will be done"...
Also, if you have any common advice that you have given to other people, feel free to share. Thanks!
firstly, learn about the science and art of reading/interpreting the bible... the bible is the central source of authority for the Christian.... it only makes sense, then, that we should learn how to read it properly... so take a good online course in hermeneutics and learn how to read and interpret the scriptures as best as you can... an example of an excellent whole series of courses you can take online, and completely for free, is found at Gordon Conwel's Dimensions of the Faith....
http://ockenga.gordonconwell.edu/ockenga/dimensions/ within this series is a great series of lectures by one of the writers of one of the most popular introductory books on the art and science of biblical interpretation, eg Douglas Stuart who co-authored of the book "How To Read The Bible For All Its Worth"...
another place to go is
Our recent classes | BiblicalTraining.org
after getting some hermeneutics under your belt, then a good dose of historical theology/systematic theology will help you to steer clear of heresy and to continue to try and understand the Scriptures as best as you possibly can... there is no need to re-invent the wheel... many of the controversies in the church have served to sharpen the church's view on doctrinal issues and it would be helpful, imho, to know these controversies...
and tied in with all this is the need for Christians to be able to learn how to defend the faith against skeptics... many people seem to think that this is a job for the professionals... but it is not... just as Jesus' command to go out and preach the gospel to all the nations making disciples in His name is a command for everyone, not just "professional" evangelists or pastors.... so too is the command to be able to give a reasonable answer to everyone who asks you why you believe what you believe...
1Pe 3:15-16 ESV but in your hearts regard Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; (16) yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame."
and thus I would recommend that you study apologetics as much as you can as well...
the Christianity is so deep you will never get to the bottom of it... so don't be overwhelmed by all this... you will be a "learner" all your life so just go at the best pace you can...
hope this helps...
blessings,
ken
