Newish Christian

[Nicole Johnson]

Hello,
So I have been going to a Christian church since May 2016, when I moved to GA. I have always believed in God, but I never read the bible or been to church since then. I have prayed once in awhile but it was never daily. My family was just never church going people. I started to go because when my husband and I moved to GA we stayed with his family until we could find a place of our own. And well there rules, you wake up under this roof you're coming to church! I had no issues with it, as I said I have always believed in God =]. I fell in love instantly! I have been going to church faithfully since then. My only concern is, I hate reading.. I've tried to read the bible many many times. I've tried to memorize scripture. I just can't. I know my heart is in the right place, but why can't I read the bible? Has any one else had an issue like this? I'm not even sure if I put this in the right place. I was just gonna write that I was newish and my mind took over lol.

Thanks for reading!
Nikki

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

The enemy of Christ, the devil hasatan,
and the flesh
and the unregenerate mind

and most all society

will do all that is possible to prevent you from reading the Bible.

 

[HTacianas]

Hello,
So I have been going to a Christian church since May 2016, when I moved to GA. I have always believed in God, but I never read the bible or been to church since then. I have prayed once in awhile but it was never daily. My family was just never church going people. I started to go because when my husband and I moved to GA we stayed with his family until we could find a place of our own. And well there rules, you wake up under this roof you're coming to church! I had no issues with it, as I said I have always believed in God =]. I fell in love instantly! I have been going to church faithfully since then. My only concern is, I hate reading.. I've tried to read the bible many many times. I've tried to memorize scripture. I just can't. I know my heart is in the right place, but why can't I read the bible? Has any one else had an issue like this? I'm not even sure if I put this in the right place. I was just gonna write that I was newish and my mind took over lol.

Thanks for reading!
Nikki

Most Christians throughout history never read the bible. It isn't a requirement.

 

[Nicole Johnson]

Most Christians throughout history never read the bible. It isn't a requirement.

I know it's not a requirement. I just feel like I will become closer to God and understand His word better if I do read the bible. =]

 

[wheelgirl]

Reading could be seen as boring to some, but there are other ways to receive the word, and that is by listening to the bible - faith comes from hearing. I think bible gateway has audio to hear the bible, and bible messages.

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

For new Christians especially, and always for older Christians also,
reading the Bible to be able to verify a message (like the Bereans)
is often critically helpful to avoid false teachers and destructive directions.

 

[“Paisios”]

Hello,
So I have been going to a Christian church since May 2016, when I moved to GA. I have always believed in God, but I never read the bible or been to church since then. I have prayed once in awhile but it was never daily. My family was just never church going people. I started to go because when my husband and I moved to GA we stayed with his family until we could find a place of our own. And well there rules, you wake up under this roof you're coming to church! I had no issues with it, as I said I have always believed in God =]. I fell in love instantly! I have been going to church faithfully since then. My only concern is, I hate reading.. I've tried to read the bible many many times. I've tried to memorize scripture. I just can't. I know my heart is in the right place, but why can't I read the bible? Has any one else had an issue like this? I'm not even sure if I put this in the right place. I was just gonna write that I was newish and my mind took over lol.

Thanks for reading!
Nikki

It is good to read the Bible, if not required. But for many, reading is an issue. I would suggest checking out different translations - some are more readable than others. Or, there are audio Bibles available which you could listen to instead of read.

Memorization of Scripture (or anything) is difficult for me - I try to get familiar with passages and their meaning, then look up (on computer, iPad or phone, or hard printed copy) when I need to quote the exact wording.

 

[Rescued One]

Hi! Welcome to CF.

i grew up in a non-Christian family, children from many marriages. The only ones who ever became Christians were my half-sister raised by my die-hard atheist father and I. I still have trouble reading the Old Testament because of the endless genealogies. I've fallen in love with the New Testament. I can read chapter after chapter or get online and look up topics. If you're in a good church ask if there are small group Bible studies. Just keep reading various topics, too. Check the Bible to see if what you're taught is in the Bible and ask the Holy Spirit to guide you.

God bless!

Here's link:
https://biblehub.com/john/3-3.htm

And:
https://www.gotquestions.org/whats-new.html

 

[Nicole Johnson]

Reading could be seen as boring to some, but there are other ways to receive the word, and that is by listening to the bible - faith comes from hearing. I think bible gateway has audio to hear the bible, and bible messages.

I have to try that out! thanks! =]

 

[Nicole Johnson]

Hi! Welcome to CF.

i grew up in a non-Christian family, children from many marriages. The only ones who ever became Christians were my half-sister raised by my die-hard atheist father and I. I still have trouble reading the Old Testament because of the endless genealogies. I've fallen in love with the New Testament. I can read chapter after chapter or get online and look up topics. If you're in a good church ask if there are small group Bible studies. Just keep reading various topics, too. Check the Bible to see if what you're taught is in the Bible and ask the Holy Spirit to guide you.

God bless!

Here's link:
https://biblehub.com/john/3-3.htm

And:
https://www.gotquestions.org/whats-new.html

The New Testament is definitely an easier/better read! I just may have to try the audio books!

 

[JustRachel]

You say that you've always believed in God. Have you repented of your sins and asked Jesus into your heart, and committed to having him lead you in all that you do?

 

[grasping the after wind]

I know it's not a requirement. I just feel like I will become closer to God and understand His word better if I do read the bible. =]

I believe you are correct in thinking that. A couple things to try. there are one year bible studies on line where you will only spend a very short time each day in reading and read the entire Bible in one year. Not that reading it in its entirety is necessarily the best course of action Also if it is reading and not listening that is a problem you could, instead of reading, listen to someone else that has been pre recorded reading the Bible . Again you could find that somewhere on line. My best advice though would be to join a bible study class where you would not only read but be able to discuss what the Bible is telling you with others. You could use the prerecorded version as preparation for the class and not necessarily have to read .

 

[Nicole Johnson]

You say that you've always believed in God. Have you repented of your sins and asked Jesus into your heart, and committed to having him lead you in all that you do?

yes, yes I have! He is my savior!

 

[Nicole Johnson]

I believe you are correct in thinking that. A couple things to try. there are one year bible studies on line where you will only spend a very short time each day in reading and read the entire Bible in one year. Not that reading it in its entirety is necessarily the best course of action Also if it is reading and not listening that is a problem you could, instead of reading, listen to someone else that has been pre recorded reading the Bible . Again you could find that somewhere on line. My best advice though would be to join a bible study class where you would not only read but be able to discuss what the Bible is telling you with others. You could use the prerecorded version as preparation for the class and not necessarily have to read .

I have to look into that bible study! Never would have thought about that. Thanks!

 

[Dave G.]

I read my bible faithfully and I also use it as a reference in my life. But I don't read for hours per night. Maybe just pick one chapter out of one book and see how far you get in the one chapter. When you tire stop and put a marker in the book and pick it up tomorrow.

Sometimes another thing I do is I have a bible verse come into my email daily that I read with my morning coffee, then later in the day I may pick up my bible and turn to that page where the verse is and read that chapter to get it better into context.

Google is your friend, pick a subject and look up verses for that subject ( do a search for the scriptures about that topic). Find those scriptures and you now have a new read for the evening. Maybe just reading the verses around that scripture or a reference or two. You would be amazed after a few times doing this how you quickly begin to learn your way around the bible and it's all just in short spurts. A new testament scripture might refer to an old testament scripture etc... And this way you find tons to read.

Don't try to read the bible like a book if it's boring you but by topics. Each book stands on it's own.

 

[JustRachel]

Each morning I open my browser to First5 .org, Intouch .org daily devotions, and then on my phone I study "Read Scripture" which is an app from The Bible project. Also, I am currently reading a book on my Kindle app by Beth Moore. It's a study of John. Two Bible study groups each week and Sunday school before church. If I miss any of this, I feel a bit empty.

 

[Valetic]

Why not try to do some online study rather than just reading it straight through? Maybe it would be more interesting to study a topic you are actually interested in.

 

[Gell]

Hi Nicole!
You might want to try Audio bibles
As well as videos such as read scripture

 

[Edwin627]

I think all of the bible is available in audio format on youtube. Just search what book you want to listen too.

 

[Sketcher]

Which books of the Bible are you trying to read?