I just need a smidge of Bible-reading help!

[LinaB]

Hi all. I don't really have anybody to consult with after reading parts of the Bible, so I'm quite struggling to wrap my head around it. I am starting with the New Testament, but still struggling quite a lot.

In substitute of having somebody to discuss the Bible with, does anybody have any advice for a new Christian when studying the Bible? Should I make notes, and what of, and when? How much should I read per day? Any help at all in not only reading the Bible, but reflecting upon it, would be greatly appreciated!

 

[OnlyBelieve]

Hi there,
When I read the bible I pray first. Father please give me revelation and understanding from your word today.
Daily devontions are really good, you can get The Word for Today, which has a small reading each day, plus some insight. Order them online or go to your local christian bookshop, they are about $7 I think and go for three months.
If you want to take notes, that cool, whatever helps you.
Bible DVD's are cool too, if you can borrow them, sometimes they are not exactly scriptual, so have your bible out so you can follow the story biblically. I know hubby really loves the DVD's as he's not a big reader.
I hope this helps a little.
OB

 

[LinaB]

Hi there,
When I read the bible I pray first. Father please give me revelation and understanding from your word today.
Daily devontions are really good, you can get The Word for Today, which has a small reading each day, plus some insight. Order them online or go to your local christian bookshop, they are about $7 I think and go for three months.
If you want to take notes, that cool, whatever helps you.
Bible DVD's are cool too, if you can borrow them, sometimes they are not exactly scriptual, so have your bible out so you can follow the story biblically. I know hubby really loves the DVD's as he's not a big reader.
I hope this helps a little.
OB

It might seem silly, but I hadn't thought of praying and asking God to help me when I read the Bible! I'll be sure to do so from now on, of course.

I will try to find that daily devotion that you've recommended, too. $7 is quite affordable, so there's no hesitations there! As for watching DVDs, I'm not a big fan of watching much of anything, and I vastly prefer reading, but with God in mind, I'll look into it, because it seems like a very useful tool for consolidation.

And thank you for the "blessings" you've sent me!

 

[OnlyBelieve]

It might seem silly, but I hadn't thought of praying and asking God to help me when I read the Bible! I'll be sure to do so from now on, of course.

I will try to find that daily devotion that you've recommended, too. $7 is quite affordable, so there's no hesitations there! As for watching DVDs, I'm not a big fan of watching much of anything, and I vastly prefer reading, but with God in mind, I'll look into it, because it seems like a very useful tool for consolidation.

And thank you for the "blessings" you've sent me!

I am big reader too, but DH he understands more, when he can see whats happening. Then he goes back and reads it. We are all so different!!

Deeper fellowship and denomination specific threads on this forum have some really good insightful messages too, just make sure you go back and check it out in God's word yourself, we all make mistakes, this way you'll know that you know.
God Bless

 

[Skyguy9999]

In substitute of having somebody to discuss the Bible with, does anybody have any advice for a new Christian when studying the Bible? Should I make notes, and what of, and when? How much should I read per day? Any help at all in not only reading the Bible, but reflecting upon it, would be greatly appreciated!

The suggestion that I would make for someone that is completely new to the Bible is this (given I've gotten very little guidance myself when I started): I know this is going to sound a bit counter-intuitive, but when you first go into the Bible don't get too hung up on fully understanding everything that you read. Just look to pick up what you can as you read through the entirety of the Bible - one of the things you will eventually learn is the whole thing is one long narrative about the creation and redemption of man through Jesus. The Holy Spirit will illuminate what He feels you are ready for when you are ready for it. The Scriptures are called "living and active" for a reason. You will be shown different things at different times, this goes for anyone no matter how long they've been at it.

One thing I find is that a lot of the Bible is written with a certain expected familiarity of the past in mind. People and events are just referenced with an expectation the hearers know all about it. So it helps to pick up those events, especially since the Old is often used to illustrate a picture of the New. A great example is John 3:14-15. The phrase "Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up" requires knowledge of who Moses is and the event to be able to relate to it. This passage leads us back to Numbers 21:4-9 and ultimately a great meditative moment.

The biggest thing is to not get discouraged at what you don't understand and realize what you do understand and rejoice over it. In looking at Scripture you will learn more with time and will grow in it. It won't happen overnight.

 

[St_Worm2]

Hi all. I don't really have anybody to consult with after reading parts of the Bible, so I'm quite struggling to wrap my head around it. I am starting with the New Testament, but still struggling quite a lot.

That's normal. I don't have a lot to add about the "struggling" that Skyguy hasn't already covered. Basically, you just need to be patient, pray for the HS's guidance (as OnlyBelieve has suggested), and you will grow in your understanding of it. It is a massive undertaking but there is no rush (unless the HS tells you differently about something in particular, of course).

You can also pray not only for understanding and guidance, but when you read a portion of Scripture that interests you, or moves you emotionally, that may be the HS pointing something out to you that He wants you to notice. This is an excellent time to pray as well. It may be something that He helps you understand and that you are then left in awe of. Thank Him for it. Or He may show you something that displeases Him that you have not yet understood as being sinful. Ask for His forgiveness and repent of it.

God is interested in you getting to know Him (He already knows you, PTL .. ). He's interested in a dialog, not a monologue. He talks to us most often through His Word, and we respond back to Him in kind. That's how we communicate with each other. You continue:

In substitute of having somebody to discuss the Bible with, does anybody have any advice for a new Christian when studying the Bible? Should I make notes, and what of, and when? How much should I read per day? Any help at all in not only reading the Bible, but reflecting upon it, would be greatly appreciated!

Making notes is good, though if this is your first time through the Bible, a bit more of a cursory reading (as Skyguy has suggested) is probably best. Still, if there's something that you don't understand, or something you have a question about, or something that just peaks your interest, write down Chapter and Verse with a little note. You can then go to a commentary on the particular book you are reading, or look at your cross references or study Bible notes, or bring the question back here for us to help you with (or call your Pastor).

A good Study Bible can be VERY helpful, and The NIV or NASB Study Bible and/or "The MacArthur Study Bible" are particularly good ones (the MacArthur being my favorite because of its extensive study notes).

You might also get a two volume commentary on the entire Bible, like "The Believer's Bible Commentary" or "The Bible Knowledge Commentary". Obviously they will not have as much information as a commentary that covers just one book of the Bible, but they will probably be best for you at this point in your Walk (and they definitely have more study notes than a Study Bible contains). Again, if you still don't understand something even after seeing what the commentary notes say, write it down so you can address it at a later time.

A book on Theology can help too with understanding the big topics of the faith like justification, salvation, election, Original Sin, omniscence, omnipresence, The Trinity, The Fall, angels, Satan, etc. when your reading brings such matters to the forefront of your mind. For that, I would HIGHLY recommend Dr. J I Packer's little theology called, "Concise Theology". BTW, these "Study Bibles", Two Volume Commentary Sets, and "Concise Theology", can also be purchased in electronic form, which is very helpful with quick and efficient searches (plus they are simply easier to access). I use software by Logos for this purpose which can be found at www.logos.com


Finally, while I would not recommend DVD's, especially to a proficient reader such as yourself, I would highly recommend the Bible read online or on CD's. "Hearing" the Word, can bring things to mind that I find myself just jumping right over (especially when I am reading the Bible instead of studying it). I listen to the Bible while I run on my treadmill and keep a little pen and paper there to take notes if I hear something I want to take a look at.

The CD's come in many forms, from a straight reading, to a reading w/background music, to a reading w/music + dramatized w/background sounds and multiple voices (such as an ocean wave breaking on a beach, or an ox cart wheel turning when that is appropriate, or a noisy crowd). Again, this can be a way of helping you understand the setting or place that the Bible is talking about in a particular passage. And having different people reading with different inflections/emotions in their voices can help you understand the meaning of the text a little more deeply as well.


Finally, it's VERY helpful to hear someone teach you the Bible on a regular basis. For that (along with church, of course) I would recommend going online and listening to online radio broadcasts of previously recorded messages for pastors or theologians who do such things.


Here are three of my very favorite pastors, those who have had the most profound effect on my life in Christ because of what I've learned from them about the Bible and, therefore, about God. Click on these links and check out a broadcast or two if you'd like. I believe they are mostly 23 minutes long as they are normally for a 30 minute radio time-slot.

1) Renewing Your Mind (w/Dr. R. C. Sproul)
2) Insight for Living (w/Dr. Chuck Swindoll)
3) Grace to You (w/ Dr. John MacArthur)
​

Yours and His,
David
p.s. - while all three are excellent teachers, my particular favorite (for what it's worth) is Dr. Sproul. One thing that might be of particular help to you right now though is a series called "Spiritual Bootcamp" by Dr. MacArthur. And here's one called "How To Study Scripture" (also by Dr. MacArthur, broadcast and printed sermon).

 

[Living in the Light]

I believe in a guided Bible study. There are numbers websites for a daily Bible study. Have you visited a Christian bookstore? They may have some suggestions for a study Bible. Enjoy your new quest!

 

[Harry3142]

LinaB-

Here are some passages that I would recommend as a starting point. But don't stop with these. Read as much Scripture as possible.

1. Romans 3:19-5:10. This passage will 'anchor' you in our faith in what God has himself done, being the source of our salvation.

2. Romans 10:5-13. It is through our believing in our heart that Jesus is Lord and our accepting as fact that God raised him from the dead that our salvation originates. Our faith lies not in what we have said or done; it lies in our accepting as fact that God himself accomplished the work needed for our salvation himself.

3. Romans 7:14-25. This is a description of 'prardoxical intention', written 2,000 years before psychologists recognized it as a powerful part of our psyche. St. Paul recognized that as well as having a part of his psyche that delighted in the keeping of god's laws, he also had another part that sabotaged the keeping of God's laws.

4. Galatians 5:16-26. We live our lives in conformity to God's will not through the keeping of laws and commandments, which we realistically can't keep to the extent that God requires. Rather, our lives are brought into conformity with God's will through God's own work at 'rewiring' us. It is his Spirit who subdues our sinful nature, and it is his Spirit who implants within us a new, spiritual nature. The 9 'fruit' listed in this passage are to be accepted by us as the impetus for all that we say and do if those words and actions are to have assurance of being 'in synch' with God. They are 'the laws written on the heart'.

5. Matthew 25:31-46. There are those who say that being Christlike involves judgementalism and elitism. In this passage Jesus Christ himself told his disciples what being Christlike really entails. As he showed his compassion for those in need through alleviating their suffering, so we as his followers are to continue to show his compassion for those we see in need through our alleviating their suffering. The needs of those around us are not to be seen as an interruption of our faith; they are to be seen as an opportunity to afirm it.

One thing that you need to keep in mind when reading the gospels is this: Jesus only spoke to nonJews three times where we have his words recorded in Scripture. One of them was the samaritan woman at the well, and another was the canaanite woman whose daughter was ill. The third one was Pontius Pilate. So when we read his teachings and parables, we need to recognize that he was speaking to fellow Jews wno had a firm background in the societal laws of Torah. In order to understand their mindset better, I refer you to the 613 mitzvot (laws) that they all memorized as children:


www.gospeloutreach.net/613laws.html

God bless-

 

[Bible2]

LinaB said in post #1:

. . . does anybody have any advice for a new Christian when studying the Bible?

The best way to study the Bible, as a whole, is simply to read every word of it (Matthew 4:4) over and over again. It ends up explaining itself, once every word of it has become completely engrained in one's memory, and one sees all the connections between verses regarding something in one place in the Bible and other verses regarding that same thing in other places in the Bible: It's by comparing and combining related verses from different places in the Bible that we arrive at correct doctrine (Isaiah 28:9-10, 1 Corinthians 2:13).

It's also a good practice to always end each reading session with a prayer for understanding and remembrance of the entire Bible.

-

One reading plan is to think of the Bible as seven volumes:

1. Genesis to Deuteronomy
2. Joshua to Esther
3. Job to Song of Solomon
4. Isaiah to Malachi
5. Matthew to Acts
6. Romans to Philemon
7. Hebrews to Revelation

You can read a chapter in each volume every day. This will keep you current in every part of the Bible. There won't be any part of the Bible that you haven't read recently enough to remember what it says. When you reach the end of a volume, simply start again at the first chapter of that volume. In this way, you will be cycling through smaller volumes like #6 and #7 much more often than larger volumes like #2, but the smaller volumes are so much more dense with doctrine that it can be profitable to read them over and over more often.

-

LinaB said in post #1:

I don't really have anybody to consult with after reading parts of the Bible, so I'm quite struggling to wrap my head around it.

Can you give some examples of what verses in the Bible you're struggling to understand?

-

Also, it should be pointed out that, as Christians, besides reading the Bible, in order to help keep up our relationship with God, we should pray to him every day, such as with the Lord's Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13), praising and worshipping him, confessing our sins to him, asking him for what we need today, and thanking him for all he's given us (Philippians 4:6b). And throughout the day we should immediately bring to him in prayer anything that we become worried about at anytime (Philippians 4:6-7).

We also need to examine ourselves to make sure that we're truly in the faith (2 Corinthians 13:5, Proverbs 28:26, Proverbs 14:12). The way to do this is to read every word of the Bible (Hebrews 4:12, Matthew 4:4) and see if we accept everything that it teaches as having come from God (John 8:47, 2 Timothy 3:16). For just as a true faith will initially come from reading (or hearing) what the Bible teaches (Romans 10:17, 2 Timothy 3:15), so we can know that we're remaining in the true faith if we continue to believe that everything the Bible teaches came from God (John 8:31b, 2 Timothy 4:2-4, 1 Timothy 4:1, Mark 8:35-38).

In order to have any real relationship with Jesus and God the Father and the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19), most importantly we must believe the right things about Jesus (John 14:6-7): that he's God the Word made flesh (John 1:1,14), that he's the Christ (1 John 5:1, 1 John 2:22), that he's the only begotten (only born) Son of God (John 3:16,36, 1 John 2:23), meaning that he's the only person ever born without any human father (Luke 1:34-35). And we must believe that Jesus lived a perfectly sinless life (Hebrews 4:15, 2 Corinthians 5:21) and so he could die on the Cross for our sins and rise from the dead on the third day (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). He rose and will remain forever in an immortal flesh and bone human body (Luke 24:39, 2 John 1:7), as our eternally-human high priest/mediator (1 Timothy 2:5, Hebrews 2:16-17, Hebrews 7:24-26).

Once we come into faith in Jesus, we must obey him and God the Father and the Holy Spirit by repenting from all our sins and getting water-immersion (burial) baptized into Jesus (Acts 2:38, Romans 6:3-5, Galatians 3:27). Then we can get hands laid on us to receive the Holy Spirit baptism (Acts 8:17) and one or more of his wonderful Spiritual gifts (Acts 19:6, 1 Corinthians 12:8-10). Then, washed from our sins by water baptism (Acts 22:16) and empowered by the Holy Spirit within us (Acts 1:8, Ephesians 3:16), we must each and every day for the rest of our lives deny ourselves, take up our crosses, and follow Jesus (Luke 9:23, 2 Corinthians 5:15), by continuing in the faith unto the end (Hebrews 3:6,12,14, Hebrews 6:4-8, John 15:6, 2 Timothy 2:12b), by repenting from every sin that we might commit (Hebrews 10:26-29, 1 Corinthians 9:27, Luke 12:45-46), and by doing the particular spiritual works which he has given us as individuals to do (Mark 13:34, Romans 12:6-8, Titus 3:8).

But if we as believers wrongly employ our free will to refuse to do these things, then we can't expect to have any continued real relationship with Jesus and God the Father and the Holy Spirit. For a continued real relationship with them requires that we not only continue to believe in them but also continue to obey them (John 15:10, John 14:21,23). Faith without works is dead (James 2:20) and cannot ultimately save us (James 2:14-26, Romans 2:6-8, Matthew 7:21, Hebrews 5:9, Revelation 22:14).

At some point in the future, Jesus will descend bodily from heaven (Acts 1:11-12, Zechariah 14:3-4, Revelation 19:11-21) and obedient believers will be resurrected or changed in the twinkling of an eye into immortal human bodies (1 Thessalonians 4:16, 1 Corinthians 15:21-23,51-53). Then Jesus will judge all believers (Psalms 50:4-5, cf. Mark 13:27) by their works (2 Corinthians 5:10, Romans 2:6-8, Luke 12:45-48, Matthew 25:19-30). Then obedient believers will reign on the earth with the returned Jesus for 1,000 years (Revelation 20:4-6, Revelation 5:10, Revelation 2:26-29). Sometime after that, obedient believers will live with Jesus and God the Father and the Holy Spirit in the city of New Jerusalem on a new earth (Revelation 21:1-8).

 

[Peripatetic]

I would echo the advice about daily devotionals, podcasts, study Bibles, and/or commentaries. There are free ones online if you search.

 

[Humble Pie]

A concordance of topics is handy. I used to flick through the Bible but now I flip to the concordance and look up what I need depending on the situation I'm in.

 

[Aino]

I mostly agree with the posters before me. Especially about the parts with prayer! It's very important, since it's the Holy Spirit that explains us Scripture. I also like keeping a notebook with me when I read the Bible so I can write down questions and comments so I can find out about the questions and develop the thoughts later on.

This might seem like a stupid idea but I once heard - from a very good teacher - that when they became a christian they started with a children's Bible (a more advanced one though but still... ) because they just didn't understand a regular translation. When they got the basic story line behind it it was much easier for them to continue with some more detail. A paraphrase kind of Bible might be OK as well. But someone also made a good point already: it's OK not to understand sometimes. The Bible is frustrating in a way that it's so hard in the beginning, but then the blessing is that you always see something in a new light when you read it again. That is also a reason to continually read it over and over again.

I would also recommend you that you find someone you trust so that you can ask them. I know that if you're a new christian it might be hard to just go to a church and get to know people but in the end it is important for a christian to have a connection to a local community of believers. I hope you'll find a good church soon; it'll help you tremendously.

 

[Fulltruthministry]

Hi all. I don't really have anybody to consult with after reading parts of the Bible, so I'm quite struggling to wrap my head around it. I am starting with the New Testament, but still struggling quite a lot.

In substitute of having somebody to discuss the Bible with, does anybody have any advice for a new Christian when studying the Bible? Should I make notes, and what of, and when? How much should I read per day? Any help at all in not only reading the Bible, but reflecting upon it, would be greatly appreciated!

I think God has given you some very good advice;
I will share with you my testimony of how God led me and how He still leads me in this regard:
I thinks its also most important to pray first; I always ask God to open my heart unto understanding and recieving the life and light of His Word: Just let the Spirit tell you what to say to God;

I am also led to set aside different ways of approaching my reading:
I would awake and refresh myself in a psalm, then i would read during the day if im out; when i have time: Just keeping a small bible with me; opening it when i have time when not at home:

but during my normal day: I would read as i am lead; for a while;
sometimes i will do different word searches:
And use this time to write down the passages that pertain to the word or emotion im searching;
And at night i would take out another study session to read from 5-10 chapters a night started from genises:

SO i have different study times; in which i approach the word differently; so that I train my flesh to not get tired: I would stimulate myself and pray for the desire to keep that joy and eagerness to meet my times of reading:
Praying for the power to keep up with my studies; because we do it all through faith:


When I do the study that starts from genesis: I give a time to that a day; and i read 5-10 chapters: BUT I study and mark my bible:
I use five markers; and after i did this; I new how to find anything in that bible:

I would use a Pink; an orange; a yellow; a blue and a green marker:
I would mark my whole bible this way:
If you are reading the new testiment: Then you can start doing this also:
And you keep notes:
What God leads me to do is I use the pink marker to highlight passages of Scripture I feel led to share with people; things I see that I understand and I can share in a way that others can understand:
These pink markers were my studies to share; sermons if you will:
I would write down the Scripture; put a pink mark on the card; so that i know this is for preparing a study:

For instance:
Lets say i started at Romans 1:
And this caught my attention:
Romans 1
5 Through him we received grace and apostleship to call all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from[c] faith for his name’s sake.

I new that I could share this with people and show them that faith gives us obedience:
So I would write faith and obedience on the card: Highlight that in pink; and when ever i came across more passages that lined up faith and obedience; i would also write them on that same card:

So the pink marker is to highlight things i understand and can share:

I used the Orange marker for things i understood; but couldnt quite express; I would mark them in orange so that i new to look more into that passage in regards to learning how to express what i feel about that passage:

I would use the green marker: If i felt i understood; but didnt know how to approach understanding more:

and I would use the blue marker if i didnt understand something at all:
with the blue and green parker i just put dots next to the passage:
dont want the bible too messy; for i used it for 10 years:

And my favorite yellow marker was to highlight all the things that just brought joy to my heart: All of the things i could quicky share with someone; that could express the joy of knowing Jesus:
And i would write dont the yellow markers on cards; and i used these for my memory verses:
It found that it allowed me to store treasures in my heart that encouraged me:
David said i hid thy word in my heart:


So we have these markers:
PINK
To highlight things that you feel able to share with others; WE Study to share what we learn: I pray for that ability after i read:
Praying before and after; and reading in different sessions:
Sometimes maybe to brease through psalms;
sometimes to read as i am lead; just letting God take me somewhere:
sometimes to start from the begining; and do about 10 chapter or five; which is an hour or two:
so we take out different times in the day to read; and then we pray and worship between; so we continue to feed ourselves; and keep ourselves strong to continue reading: Training our flesh to enjoy what we do in Christ; praying for the power to do so:

So again;
We have PINK
which is to mark things i can put in sermons or teachings:
WE HAVE ORANGE
TO mark things I understand; but not enough to put it in a teaching; so i now to study this more:
Giving me more study times during the day:
WE HAVE GREEN
Making a dot next to a passage may need a little help with:
and a BLUE marker:
To put a dot next to things i dont understand at all:
And a YELLOW
To make the things that just encourage me; and it will be a lot of these; but their yellow; and it doesnt cause confusion when reading:
the pink is see through also:
And the orange:
But the green and blue; i used dots; Bless you:
Ask anyquestions you may have; you can message me; or ask us all; bless you

 

[Fulltruthministry]

Hi all. I don't really have anybody to consult with after reading parts of the Bible, so I'm quite struggling to wrap my head around it. I am starting with the New Testament, but still struggling quite a lot.

In substitute of having somebody to discuss the Bible with, does anybody have any advice for a new Christian when studying the Bible? Should I make notes, and what of, and when? How much should I read per day? Any help at all in not only reading the Bible, but reflecting upon it, would be greatly appreciated!

Things I feel that are important to my growth in Scripture:

The way i live: Its most important and most special to read Scriptures and to study; while living Gods Holy Will;
Thats how i learn; love is learning: Living in the Spirit allows the Spirit to LEAD: Thats faith; and thats most important; Believing God for what you want; knowing what He is eager to give you:

Another things is praying; communing with the Father and His Word; going into the Word expecting to recieve: Letting God show us that He can teach us by continueing in His Word: and if something confuses; i keep reading; and later on God will show us the right way:
but some people see confusion; and they stop; and they never allow the Scripture to prove ITSELF by ITSELF: Its a faith walk:

Another important thing for me is how I was lead to read with different approaches:
I would create things to do:
I remember that i was led to take out an hour just to commentate a book to myself: then another hour to read psalms; a few more hours just to read how i am led; just praying and opening the Bible as i am lead:
I was led to take out more time just to have a study session that I read through the bible and marked my studies;
Then that allowed me to take out more time when i responding to the marking:
So i had all of these things to do in Scripture; ITS SO GREAT: Bless you

 

[Fulltruthministry]

And in between time we pray; we worship; I wrote poetry to God; I listened to His music; and even prayed while singing the song to God in my heart:
Just doing things that allow us to give our whole day to God: We work ofcourse; or go to school; but we still stay mindful and in constant comunion with God: So we get to know the Word by the Word:
Jesus is the Word:
and we understand the bible when we stay close to Him: Ive seen in it my life: AND
I BELIEVE IT: SMILE

 

[Bible2]

What a sweet and blessed spirit!

-

You bring to mind the man Nehemiah.

 

[Fulltruthministry]

Blessings: All of us together made for a blessed thread: God bless the person that made this post: May Gods favor shine on you:

 

[Radagast]

Hi all. I don't really have anybody to consult with after reading parts of the Bible, so I'm quite struggling to wrap my head around it. I am starting with the New Testament, but still struggling quite a lot.

The NT is a good place to start, and you can ask questions here on CF. There are also good study Bibles, or (for a deeper insight) good commentaries about books of the Bible, like these, or good books about themes, like this one on prayer.

 

[Smashleigh17]

Hi LinaB,

I only very recently began reading the Bible also and at first I was going to read it cover to cover and then, when that didn't work out, I planned on reading the NT first and that didn't really work out for me either cause it didn't really give me any perspective.

I ended up downloading this REALLY great Bible app onto my Blackberry which has been SO helpful. It has about 15 different versions of the Bible (in full) and also has a huge variety of daily Bible Devotionals & Readings based around a whole stack load of topics and such.

I found them really useful and it has given me a whole new perspective on the Bible and God's Word. It's actually amazing how much I have learned.

The name of the app is YouVersion if you wanted to give it a go. There's also a website.

 

[Rascus]

Hello LinaB....
Ive been a believer of God and Jesus since the 70s....though I paid not attention and found myself wander for years in the wilderness....though God being who and what He is brought me back to Him only a couple years ago......and Ive diligently been applying myself to Him and walking with Him daily. Ive found that at times its a struggle fighting the spiritual battles that are manifest....though He always seems to know when I am at my limit and delivers me.
As for reading....when reading I always pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit to give me the strength and understanding to read the passages I need to apply in my life read Proverb 3:5-9 and it may give you a boost. I try to walk into the woods daily and spend an hour or so alone with God and listening for His voice....it can be very amazing how very close our Lord is to us and most times we are not even aware.....I hope that Ive given you some insight into what you seek...though Im certain that God thru Christ Jesus and His Holy Spirit will give much more than I could even think to offer if you but ask! Feel free to write anytime ......I love the fellowship of other Brothers and Sisters always.....many blessings and Much
Love in His name........

Rascus

Hi all. I don't really have anybody to consult with after reading parts of the Bible, so I'm quite struggling to wrap my head around it. I am starting with the New Testament, but still struggling quite a lot.

In substitute of having somebody to discuss the Bible with, does anybody have any advice for a new Christian when studying the Bible? Should I make notes, and what of, and when? How much should I read per day? Any help at all in not only reading the Bible, but reflecting upon it, would be greatly appreciated!