Guide for a Beginner

[Mr. Shine]

Hi everyone,

I've recently (as in, yesterday) given myself to Jesus but I'm feeling rather lost... I've got a copy of the New Testament (NIV) and have also got a bible reader application on my iPhone so I basically have a bible with me wherever I go.

My problem is that I don't know where to start... I've begun reading in order, with Matthew, but I'm wondering if anyone has some recommendations or suggestions for some particularly suitable-for-begginers verses or chapters?

It's a difficult start, but I really want this to work, so any advice will be really welcome. Thanks so much, in advance

 

[ephraimanesti]

Hi everyone,

I've recently (as in, yesterday) given myself to Jesus but I'm feeling rather lost... I've got a copy of the New Testament (NIV) and have also got a bible reader application on my iPhone so I basically have a bible with me wherever I go.

My problem is that I don't know where to start... I've begun reading in order, with Matthew, but I'm wondering if anyone has some recommendations or suggestions for some particularly suitable-for-begginers verses or chapters?

It's a difficult start, but I really want this to work, so any advice will be really welcome. Thanks so much, in advance

MY DEAR FRIEND,

i think you will do just fine beginning with prayerfully--i.e., asking God to open your heart and mind to the truth of what you are reading--reading through the New Testament from Matthew through Revelation. The "NIV" is a very good choice, in my opinion!

The most important books in my estimation are the Gospel of John, The Acts of the Apostles, and the Letter to the Romans.

MAY YOU BE BLESSED IN WHAT YOU ARE DOING!

ABBA'S FOOL,
ephraim

 

[drich0150]

A good place to start is in prayer. Ask God to give you the understanding of what you read, so that no matter where you begin reading you will have understanding.

 

[childofGod31]

The Holy Spirit of God is your teacher. He is working in you/on you.

(book of John) John 14:26 But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.

(epistle of John) 1st John 2:27 As for you, the anointing (the Holy Spirit) you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things


The Bible is not just a book, it contains words of life. So just start reading Matthew (like you did) and prayerfully slowly read it. Let the words sink in. God speaks to us through understanding and "a light bulb went on" kind of feelings sometimes. So just wait for Him to give you understanding.

John 6:63 The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.

Heb 4:12 For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart


You can also ask questions on this forum (and feel free to pm me), but you have to remember that your main teacher, the one you should REALLY learn from is Jesus Himself. Man can lead you astray. You never really know which man has the truth and which one was deceived. But the Spirit of God will always teach you correctly.

Mat 23:10 Nor are you to be called 'teacher,' for you have one Teacher, the Christ.


It's a matter of waiting on God. Your diligence and patience will be rewarded. Just seek Him. Make time to read the Bible and just to be in His presence. Just sit (or walk) (somewhere where it makes you think about God) and think about Him. Talk to Him in your thoughts. He is everywhere and near you. He hears all thoughts. He feels your feelings. He knows you inside out so you don't even need to explain about yourself. But you can if it's helpful to you. Just talk everything out. The trick is to believe that He hears you. If you do, you will feel that He is there with you.

He is with us. But He is in invisible to us dimension/world. And our faith is the gateway to that world. If you believe, it will become a reality to you.

The most important thing is to spend time with Him (just by reading slowly/thinking/talking.)

I did that and my reward was that He started to talk back to me and it's been so wonderful ever since. He desires to talk to all, but there are certain limitations and interferences. He talks through our thoughts and sometimes through other things like songs, movies, circumstances, people, writings...

He told me that He really really loves it when we talk to Him and that He loves to talk to us too.
One time I was naively thinking that maybe God is too busy for me to bother Him with my talking. So I told Him that He is probably too busy, running the world. And He told me: always talk to me, I am able to multitask.
So the cool thing is that God can do everything at the same time. To be completely always by your side and always watch over you and talk to you and hear you and do the same for each other person and run the world at the same time!

You can read some of these posts on walking with God in the Spirit. (Joh 4:24 God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth.") In the spirit means to hear God through your heart. To believe that He talks. To listen for His voice (in different ways) and to follow His guidance.

http://www.christianforums.com/t7444535/
http://www.christianforums.com/t7441055/
http://www.christianforums.com/t7418473/
http://www.christianforums.com/t7436883/
http://www.christianforums.com/groups/323/
http://www.brotherraymond.com/downloads.php

Most of the time He works behind the scenes. He works in us and we do the right thing even if we don't know it sometimes.

Philippians 2:13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.

God gave us free will. And in order for Him to work in you, you must surrender your will to Him. It's not enough to say: Jesus come into my heart. You must prove with your life that you really meant what you said. Only then He will really come. He knows your heart. He acts according to your heart. So when you seek Him above all, when you surrender your will and your life to Him and His guidance, He will lead you (sometimes you won't even know it.)

But, welcome to the family. And it's the most amazing joy and experience to have a real relationship with the Living God who loves us and adores us and lives for us. I hope you will continue in this journey and find this "pot of gold at the end of the rainbow." He is a treasure. Seek Him and you will find the treasure. He is a blessing beyond description. He will be everything you ever wanted if you find a relationship with Him by always striving to be in His presence.

 

[Mr. Shine]

Ah, it looks like there aren't any real key points to it - the whole thing is the guide, and all of it should be taken together?

It's been really interesting reading and finding the meanings in my interpretation though... it's confusing sometimes, but when I try and think of it and how it applies to my life it helps a lot.

I'm definitely praying a lot, and I'm starting to think more about my actions. When I do or think something I know I shouldn't have I notice it now, it's a good feeling.

 

[ephraimanesti]

Ah, it looks like there aren't any real key points to it - the whole thing is the guide, and all of it should be taken together?

It's been really interesting reading and finding the meanings in my interpretation though... it's confusing sometimes, but when I try and think of it and how it applies to my life it helps a lot.

MY BROTHER,

Don't worry about the parts that are perhaps confusing in the first go-round--the more you learn the more will become clear. Trust that God will impress upon you clearly what is necessary now for you to build upon later. He knows what He is doing!

I'm definitely praying a lot, and I'm starting to think more about my actions. When I do or think something I know I shouldn't have I notice it now, it's a good feeling.

My friend, trust me--you ain't seen nothin yet!

BE BLESSED!

ABBA'S fool,
ephraim

 

[Sketcher]

I started in Matthew, and read the whole New Testament (it took a while). Another common suggestion is that beginners start with the gospel of John (4th book in the New Testament) and then the letter 1 John (towards the back of the New Testament) as the first two books you read.

 

[ebia]

You'll get at least as many suggestions as posters, but FWIW I would start with Luke and then Acts. Luke is the most accessable of the gospels to get started on if you don't have any background already (and Luke is a darn good storyteller). Acts (also by the same author) will give you an introduction into the life of the earliest Christian community. You might follow that up with one of Paul's more accessable letters like Colossians, Philippians or Ephesians. And from the Old Testament you definitely need to read Genesis and the first half of Exodus as soon as possible.

If you have the time, listen to Tom Wright's current lectures on how to read Luke - The Big Read - Durham Diocese - don't worry about getting every detail but it will give you a sense of the different echos you might hear in Luke's telling of the story.

Even better would be to grab a copy of his Luke for Everyone.

Contrary to one earlier poster I would not recommend reading Romans early on - it is a complex, highly structured, letter that relies on a good understanding of the overall scriptural metanarrative or one reduces it to "how I get saved", which is not what it is about at all.

 

[salida]

I would start with the new testament. Also, feel free to email me if you have any questions.

 

[Lukaris]

Romans 1 & 2 can explain much of our situation in sin resulting from the fall of Adam. The testimony of St.Stephen in Acts 7 can give a good overview of much Old Testament history. The first chapter of the Gospel of John attests to Jesus Christ as God, the voice of John the Baptist, & the beginning of the ministry of Jesus Christ etc. The core of the Gospel message can be found in Matthew 5,6, & 7 (sermon on the mount). The highest teaching of the Gospel is in Mark 12:28-34 (about there) but read all of Mark 12. Then read Romans 10 & concentrate on verses 9-13. For the resurrection read 1 Corinthians 15. This might give a general overview & framework of the New Testament (NT) & then perhaps proceed to read all of the NT. God bless.

 

[Van]

Hi Mr. Shine, I was unable to discern why you are reading the New Testament. The model given in the New Testament for new believers is discipleship. Jesus told us to make disciples, teaching them all I have commanded.

A believers walk involves three phases, becoming a believer, learning to become Christ-like, and serving Christ. It is easy to become sidetracked, such as being lost in the forest of doctrine, rather than focusing of becoming Christ-like.

Christianity is very much like a "team sport" so unless you are part of a team and both learning from the experience of the team and serving others of the team, you are just a spectator.

May God Bless

 

[Emmy]

Dear Mr. Shine. You have much good advice, may I help a bit, too? In Matthew, chapter 22, verses 35 - 40, Jesus tells a Lawyer what is the most important Commandment in God`s Law. The first is: Love God with all thy heart, with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. A 2nd Commandments is like it: " love thy neighbour, as thou love thyself. On these 2 Commandments hang all the Law, and all the Prophets." To love God comes naturally, when we know that God made us in His image, we alone in this Universe know the difference between GOOD, and NOT GOOD. We can think and reason things out. St. Paul tells us in 1) Corinthians, chapter 13, verses 4 - 8, what love really is: Love is kind, compassionate, forgiving, helpful when the need arises, also courteous and does not envy, etc. A good start is, Mr.Shine, to treat all we know and all we meet, as we would like to be treated ourselves. We have years to become better and better, Jesus will help and guide us, Jesus will also give us His Love, His Joy and His Peace, to share with each other. Once we try this sincerely, we will find that life becomes more enjoyable, we will like what we have become, and God will forgive us every time we stumble, or fail, as we will forgive others. I say this humbly and with love. Greetings from Emmy, your sister in Christ.

 

[Jpark]

Never mind.

 

[hlaltimus]

Don't be confused by the variety and number of verses that older believers are recommending to you, as they are only seeking to be competent workers for the Lord. It is a fairly incompetent workman, (you know,) who relies solely upon a hammer (!!!) as his one and only choice tool of the trade. You will find as your faith progresses in the Lord, that more and more verses will be accumulated and forever inscribed upon your mind and heart as choice, favorite building blocks in your particular christian experience. Don't be bewildered...be enriched, as though you were a prospector who just discovered a "mother lode" of pure gold, 36 inches thick and 1/2 a mile long, just waiting to be gathered up....piece by piece by piece patiently, until one day it will all be yours.

Two verses that jumped out of my mind were, Romans 12:1,2 NKJV

"I beseech ou therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God."

It is all there just waiting to be claimed through diligence, application, faith, and especially with obedience.

 

[Mr. Shine]

I just want to say thank you so much to all the posters here. I've read through Matthew and Luke, and am halfway through Acts now. It's been really touching reading through it, and there have been many times while reading that I've felt the Lord with me though the words I've been reading... it's hard for me to explain it, but I guess you guys all know very well about it.

Don't be bewildered...be enriched, as though you were a prospector who just discovered a "mother lode" of pure gold, 36 inches thick and 1/2 a mile long, just waiting to be gathered up....piece by piece by piece patiently, until one day it will all be yours.

Enriched is just how I feel... I just want to dive right into all of it, to pick up as much of it as I can, but I know I have to pace myself and pick it up meaningfully. It's amazing... I feel refreshed in life now that I've started this journey. I can't rationalise it with my logical mind, but I can feel it and I love it. I feel like I can do anything!