Reading the Bible

[wildflower71]

Being a new christian, I have been reading a lot of the bible. I mainly read a NKJV.

My question is where do you start?

Some have said to start at the beginning and read it all the way through. I get bored after reading the first book.

One fellow christian told me to start with The Book of John, then Acts, Romans, ect. He said read all of the NT frist then read the OT and use it to reference the NT.

What do you think How should you read the Bible?

 

[Dave Ulchers]

I'd start with Genesis 1 thu, oh, 4 or 5. Until it gets dull. That is so you know something of the problem which the Gospels solve.

Then John, then the book of the Apocalypse. Then Matthew. Then 2nd Peter. Then Romans. Then Jude. Then Luke. Then Acts. Then the two Timothy's. Then James. Then Mark....

If you are still lost, come on back!

If you find anything in the NKJV confusing, I find the language and footnotes of the NAB useful.

http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/bible/

 

[BigEd]

What i found helpful was a yearly bible reading plan.
there are many out there. the plan I currently use has a NT reading(usally one chapter), a Ot reading(usally two chapters), and a read from the psalm or proverbs ( usally one chapter), each day. but also I try to read whole books of the bible straight through (mostly NT books).

 

[wildflower71]

Thanks you have been a big help. Reading the bible has been a big part of understanding life with christ. Thanks

 

[RedThreadMark]

Like I have told you before. Start where you feel comfortable. But if I had to suggest anything I'd say start in the New Testament. Besides, these are the books that Paul was charged to write to us, the Gentiles. These books where writen with us in mind


Love, Gandpa Mark

 

[postrib]

My question is where do you start?

There's a way of reading the Bible that I've found to be a great blessing. You can think of your Bible as 6 volumes: 1. Romans to Revelation, 2. Matthew to Acts, 3. Isaiah to Malachi, 4. Job to Song of Solomon, 5. Judges to Esther, and 6. Genesis to Deuteronomy.

You can read one chapter in each volume every day, for a total of 6 chapters a day. Continue to read one chapter in each volume every day even after you complete the smaller volumes. When you reach the end of a volume, simply begin again at the first chapter of that volume. In this way, you will be going through the smaller volumes more frequently than the larger ones, but that's okay because the smaller volumes happen to be the most important.

This method will keep you current in every part of the word; there won't be any book that you haven't read in years. Also, it's amazing the connections you will see between the volumes when you are in them all at the same time. Lastly, you will find it easier to read more of the Bible each day, and to continue reading it day after day. I have heard people say things like "I started in Genesis but couldn't make it through Leviticus. I haven't picked up the Bible since."

This method will have you going back to the buffet of the word every day. But like a buffet, don't try to eat too much in one sitting. You will be tempted to increase the portions from one chapter in every volume every day to two chapters and then three. You can "burn out" on the word just like you can on eating too much meat. Eat a daily portion that will keep you hungry enough to come back every day. A moderate portion every day is better than a huge amount for a few days and then nothing for a year or two.

When we don't read the word for a few days, I believe it can have the same effect on our spirits that not eating for a few days has on our bodies. We can get tired spiritually, and hungry for the wrong things. So we should look at reading the word the same way we look at eating, for "man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God" (Matthew 4:4).


http://www.geocities.com/postrib

 

[Received]

In my opinion, I'd start with Revelation 21, just to get a taste of what the future eternal life after death holds for you. It is quite interesting and makes me wonder every time I read it- especially verse 16 where it speaks of the new city of Jerusalem in heaven being 1,400 miles cubed or two million square miles in length.

I would then take a gander at 1 John (as well as 2 and 3rd if you wish) just to get a taste of love and the result of love in the life of the christian.

And of course, read through the gospel of John. I say this after 1 John because many people know of the crucifixition of Christ, whether they are christian or not, but John is quite a good place to start nevertheless.

Save Romans for near the end of your new testament reading perhaps, it is pretty theological, but nothing that isn't worth reading anytime.

Or maybe take a look-see in the different psalms and proverbs to get a taste of worship and wisdom

lol, you see I don't know where to end, I love it all!

be blessed

John

 

[dependingonhim]

You have received some great suggestions in the previous posts - all of them are good. I remember when I was a new Christian - I worked 2nd shift would get home at 11:30pm. Could not wait to pick up my Bible and would read 2 - 3 hours every night. I started with Matthew and read all the way through the NT. One thing I do now in the mornings, is read 5 Psalms & 1 Proverb. This will take you through Psalms & Proverbs every month. Psalms are a glorius praise song telling about our awesome God. Proverbs gives us advise on listening to Godly wisdom while we are living in this world.

Whatever method you choose - just be sure to BE IN THE WORD DAILY and that will be the right method for you! Also pray - God will lead too.

 

[wildflower71]

Wow! Thanks a lot it so nice thats so many people care. I am gald i have found this site. God bless all you answer my question. Its a great comfort to know that so many want to help where they can.

 

[JohnR7]

>>What do you think How should you read the Bible?

We really need to be lead by the Holy Spirit. The Bible contains 66 books and at any given point in our live I am sure that there is one book that would be more help to us than another. Although usually I have two or three books that I am thinking I would like to be reading. I under line verses that really speak to me, so I know when I have read a whole book in the Bible.

I have one Bible that I have read the whole thing twice, but they get pretty wore out when you try to read them a second time. Usually I read each Bible once, and then I put it on the shelf and go buy a new one. Of course some parts of the Bible, we are going to study a lot more than other parts, but it all has meaning for us today. Thanks, JohnR7

 

[BigEd]

very very important...I always make sure and pray before i read...

Something like...

"Heavenly Father,
Please open my mind and heart as I study you Holy Word. Make me teachable and help me to learn your ways.
In Jesus' name I pray"

 

[Debbie]

Yes pray first for understanding always, then start with the gospel of John & read thru Rev. Then start with Genesis. JOhn mentions more than the other gospels, more miracles of Jesus, etc.