I've got a dumb question...

When I was your age, I made my first attempt to read through the entire bible. I didn't make it that year, but I was so interested. A couple years later, my church did the "bible in a year" schedule and it started with three chapters Genesis, Job, and Matthew. That is good, but I think the best is to start in Genesis and read three chapters per day. I recommend getting a bible with book introductions and have a couple of translations handy. Hope this helps!

I think the simple answer is to read what you read. I think trying to read as much as one can could be overwhelming. I think there are a lot of good guides to how to read the Bible, where to start and such, and I don't think they're too hard to come by. But yeah, just read what you're comfortable with. If you can't put it down for 8 hours, that's great! And if you can only get through a page or so, then so be it. Don't worry about how long it takes you to read the Bible, focus on what to do with what it says. I hope you find the best way for you.

God bless

If you want a plan that will get you all the way through the Bible, you can do an internet search for "Bible reading plans". There are lots out there. My suggestion, for the first time through, anyway, is to not skip around, but read one book at a time. That way you understand things in context. I would start with the Gospels.

I agree with the posters above. Read one chapter a day or 10. Some parts of the Bible are easier reading than others. Don't feel bad if you skip a few days, just pick up where you left off. Get a translation you can understand, or even 2 or 3 translations. If I don't understand a passage, I'll read it in different translations and it helps me understand. I tend to not follow the dates on Bible reading plans. I use the plan as a guide and a bookmark. Right now, I'm using a plan that alternates between Old and New Testaments. When I finish the current plan, I'm going to start over with a different one, and maybe a different translation too.

Reading the Bible is a practice that is totally different to each other.

I've found when I read the Bible in the way that others do, I get bogged down, because when I read a verse and I analyse it, I end up writinng stacks of pages, on one verse, and get nowhere. One day I wrote five pages on Hebrews 11:1. I briefly read through every so often, and by doing that I don't bogged down and confused.

I will reach that day, one day, and read the OT completely. I use to feel guilty, but not now, because I believe He leads you to Scripture as well.

Then again, I suppose I could be referred to as being lazy.

I agree with everyone and would would only add that you start in the New Testament before venturing into the old. I would even go so far as to advise reading the NT through a few times first.

The reason behind this is that there is a lot of historical stuff in the Old Testament, and it can actually get quite confusing. Once you have the principles down from the NT, it will be a much easier read.

After you have your basics down (milk before meat), I highly suggest getting a Strong's Concordance (with the Greek and Hebrew word meanings) or downloading E-Sword (it's free) and getting the KJV+ (which also has the Hebrew and Greek meanings of the words.) You will find this kind of study starts bringing things to life.

No matter how your read through the Bible, you should ask God to allow His Holy Spirit to give you understanding of what you read. God will be able to open your eyes to different things and will allow you to get out of your reading what He desires for you to have.

And as with anything, pace yourself. You don't want to get exhausted and you don't want to read so much that you are not getting anything out of it. If, while reading, you find that you are reading the same sentence over and over without any understanding, take a break. You can come back later when your mind is refreshed and you will be able to retain more information.

I hope this helps you and I pray that you will grow in knowledge and wisdom in the upcoming months.

Everyone has given good advice on how to read the Bible in a very organized, planned and effective way.

That can be very good... but..

I have trouble reading the Bible that way. If that feels too formal for you, I suggest this: read some in Proverbs, Psalms, the Gospels, Romans, jump around in the new testament. Skip around to where God leads you.

Let me make myself clear, the organized way is good, nothing wrong with it, but sometimes its so wonderful to just open the Bible and start reading. Then I have certain days, say, when I am in need of guidance on how to live, those days I find Proverbs and Pauls writings, along with the Gospels, to be just the thing I need.

Sometimes when I get into the organized way of reading the Bible, I begin to feel overwhelmed and more like its a chore. Skipping around helps me.

Hello friend, it is always a blessing to hear someone is interested in reading The Bible! I have alot to say on this matter, but i will try to keep it short.
First off, hopefully your Bible is easy for you to read...with todays English. If the translation uses words that are hard for you to relate with, then it won't help your reading it.
Next, it is very helpful to know that at this point you want to read The New Testament ONLY!....The New testament is for us now....The Old Testament is wonderful, but it is indeed the OLD testament......so stick with The New Testament until you have read it about 50 or so times.
The Bible is not a book that you can read just once or twice and really get out of it what God intended.....it is to be read many times and studied thoroughly. I have read The whole Bible several times and The new testament hundreds of times, yet i still learn every time i read it!.....The Bible is not just a book.....it is The Word of God! It is living and powerful and able to speak to your heart and soul. It is 100% guaranteed accurate in the original language of Hebrew and Greek.....there are absolutely no errors or contradictions.....not one!
Now since most of us read translations and sometimes there isn't an exact rendering of the word into English.....translations can make small errors or make what seems like a contradiction......but for the most part these are insignificant and not to be worried about.
If you are interested in deep study of The Word you would want to get maybe a NKJV or NASB version and a Strongs concordance.
But since you are just starting out....a paraphrase bible might be better, like NIV or NLT or something like that. But it really depends on your reading level.....if you are really educated with words, i would suggest NKJV, it is very good.
My suggestion would be to read through The New testament kinda fast, then go back through again slower and chew on what you read the second time around. Maybe start with The Gospel of John, then go on from there.
I hope this was helpful for you and i pray that you will be granted the wisdom to understand what you are reading as God intended. If you have any questions at all....feel free to PM me, i am a pastor and would be honored to help in any way i can! God Bless You!

When I first got saved I didn't know where to start reading the Bible. My husband suggested that I read the Book of John first.. It's all above Jesus & God's Love for us..

I'd also suggest that you get a translation of the Bible that it easy for you to read & understand.. such as New International Version, Contemporary English Version.. etc..

God bless you..

GlendaJoanne said:

When I first got saved I didn't know where to start reading the Bible. My husband suggested that I read the Book of John first.. It's all above Jesus & God's Love for us..

I'd also suggest that you get a translation of the Bible that it easy for you to read & understand.. such as New International Version, Contemporary English Version.. etc...

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I would also recommend the NIV. And after John, read Acts, then some of Paul's letters (e.g. 1 Corinthians), then go back and read the other gospels, then the rest of the New Testament, then the Old Testament, then the New Testament again.

How quickly? Read as much per day as you're comfortable with. Many people read a chapter a day, but reading less is OK, and reading more is good too. Just as long as you read a little bit every day.

Start out small and work your way up. When you see a verse that puzzles you, look at the verses before it and after it. Look at the setting. Look at who is being told what, when, and in what situation. The context is very important to understanding Scripture.

When I first started seriously reading the Bible, I started in Matthew and ended in Revelation. Other people recommend starting in the gospel of John.

Next, it is very helpful to know that at this point you want to read The New Testament ONLY!....The New testament is for us now....The Old Testament is wonderful, but it is indeed the OLD testament......so stick with The New Testament until you have read it about 50 or so times.

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I wouldn't take it this far. The NT makes a lot of OT references. I agree that it is excellent to start in the NT, but I can't in good conscience tell her to ignore the stories in Genesis, Exodus, or Daniel, let alone the Psalms. The OT is very profitable to read, since it gives us a picture of who God is. The miracles Jesus showed everybody were cool, but He created the entire world in Genesis 1. The scale is so much grander.

Texasbluebonnet said:

Wow! I never thought I'd get so many responses and I have found them to be very helpful. I really appreciate all your insight and thoughts on this. It's been really hard for me to just start reading it. You know it's not your average book. I like the suggestions of starting with the NT. I need something to start with, like building a foundation and right now I don't feel like I have that. I guess I've been intimidated by it and by not knowing where to start and even how. It's been great getting everyone's thoughts on this and I really do appreciate the help. I don't feel so intimidated now and I think I've got a good place to start from. That now, that I can actually do this. Thanks!

Michelle

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Michelle,

Remember that what you read in the NT is the HIS TRUTH. Get it into, and don't get caught up with reading watered-down, distorted versions, start with the KJV, and use the Amplified (AMP) and the Contemporary (CEV) version as a companion to try and get an idea what the KJV is saying.

Keep away from The Message.

Now other versions such as NKJV, has changed many very fine technical words that actually change the meaning of the KJV. Then NIV has done the same, in many cases have deleted words and phrases, and reworded the actual text of the KJV that doesn't mean the same.

There are many paraphrased versions, which will also lead you in the wrong direction of understanding His Word. You cannot paraphrase TRUTH!

Texasbluebonnet said:

Wow! I never thought I'd get so many responses and I have found them to be very helpful. I really appreciate all your insight and thoughts on this. It's been really hard for me to just start reading it. You know it's not your average book. I like the suggestions of starting with the NT. I need something to start with, like building a foundation and right now I don't feel like I have that. I guess I've been intimidated by it and by not knowing where to start and even how. It's been great getting everyone's thoughts on this and I really do appreciate the help. I don't feel so intimidated now and I think I've got a good place to start from. That now, that I can actually do this. Thanks!

Michelle

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I am overjoyed to see that we were able to help you. Many blessings are in store for you as you begin your quest through the Bible. It's going to be AWESOME!

Keith

Elijah2 said:

Michelle,

Remember that what you read in the NT is the HIS TRUTH. Get it into, and don't get caught up with reading watered-down, distorted versions, start with the KJV, and use the Amplified (AMP) and the Contemporary (CEV) version as a companion to try and get an idea what the KJV is saying.

Keep away from The Message.

Now other versions such as NKJV, has changed many very fine technical words that actually change the meaning of the KJV. Then NIV has done the same, in many cases have deleted words and phrases, and reworded the actual text of the KJV that doesn't mean the same.

There are many paraphrased versions, which will also lead you in the wrong direction of understanding His Word. You cannot paraphrase TRUTH!

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Only if you're comfortable with reading 17th century English. If you don't want to bother with Shakespeare, the KJV won't be easier. You can try it if you like, but I was brought up on the NIV and I'm not a heretic. I don't know much about the CEV.

The Message has its uses, but I agree that it's not really a Bible. It is a paraphrase of the Bible. It is no good for memorizing Scriptures.

I find that it's best to start with the New Testament. It's centered around Jesus, and it's much easier to read. The Old Testament covers a lot of time, mentions lots of names, and gets confusing very quickly.

Plus, to me the New Testament seems much more positive.

For someone just starting out I have always found it helpful to go out and get a childrens bible to go along with the regular bible. I know it sounds nuts but it really does help to understand and grasp the story so that the details fall into place when you read the regular version. I did this myself.

As for my opinion on the version to be used. I base my study mainly around KJV... I consult NKJV, NIV, NLB, The Message, The Amplified and the Dakes ect. I like to see how things have been interpreted and translated. If they seem like a different meaning in one then I put that one aside for that specific study.

Dont get overwhelmed is the main point. Everyone has a different way that is better for them to study.

Speaking of children's Bibles, here is a great one:

http://www.amazon.com/Read-Me-Bible...03020?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1182984684&sr=1-106

They use it at my parish's Sunday school and I had this Bible when I was five or six. It's really great, and it's old, so you can get it for $2 on Amazon used

Texasbluebonnet said:

No, not all. Thanks for the reply. I'm still unsure. It's just so hard to do. I don't really get it for one thing and my problem when reading the NT in particular is that I wish it were...fleshed out more. I wish that there were more stuff to read in the actual text. I still feel like I'm missing something. I read it and I want to feel drawn in by it, but I don't. I want to know more than what's on the page. Does that make any sense to anyone at all? And does anyone have any thoughts, advice, or suggestions even? Thanks for the help. I really appreciate it.

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The Orthodox Study Bible helps me to understand what's going on in the background of the passages such as history and customs and the like. Are those the things you are confused about?

This is why the Gospels are central, I think. You can understand the words of Christ without necessarily knowing what's going on. Also, I think that's this is just something most people grow into with time. When I first started reading the Bible, I didn't know Lazarus from Mary Magdalene.

My two cents. Hope I made some sense.