Where do I start reading the Bible?

[NJA]

I want to start with something to help me really believe. Words of Christ maybe. But I don't know where that would be. I know it's New Testament but that is all I know.

The Christian Church began at Pentecost (Acts 2), followed by the first "sermon" (God's message tailored for the audience - people encountering "The Way" for the first time). - I can't think of a better place to start!

I often encourage people to read it and "put yourself there" ... you will hear things that you probably never heard before and an incredibly simple message of salvation that has been ignored, complicated & even rejected by most "churches" over the centuries!

... but God has not changed.

Let me know if you want to get to a church that sticks to it!

- - - - -

"John's gospel" and the othere were written years later by (and to) people who had started with the above, so to appreciate John etc you should get what they had.

 

[Soma Seer]

I was going to say Mark. So that seems to mean that 'our' advice is to start with Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John!

Seriously, though, Paul1149's advice in the previous post is deserving of your consideration. Each of the Gospels has a somewhat unique tilt. If you want the simplest account and one that covers the history of Jesus' life and ministry, it's Mark; but if you want the view that is more mystical, that would be John, and so on as noted. For me, that would be the appropriate progression.

I agree with the suggestion that you begin with the Gospels--particularly Mark--and leave John for the final one. John is very beautiful--and quite esoteric/mystical, which can throw some people off. Personally, I think that starting with stories about/ words attributed to Jesus the Christ, IMO, is the best way to delve into what Christianity truly is.

 

[Soma Seer]

James is a good beginning one too, in my opinion.

James is my favorite book of them all; I should've mentioned this one, as well, as it gives a very good overview of what it means to follow the Christ.

 

[UCDavis]

Proverbs!

 

[AGTG]

For a quick over-view of the history of the ministry of Jesus and the early church birthed from His ministry, read the Book of Luke followed by the Book of Acts.

Then go back and read the Book of John to get a greater depth of understanding of who Jesus is on a more personal level (John writes about Jesus as a friend would write about someone they loved a great deal).

Remember, God's Word is powerful and completely true. The Holy Spirit "breathed" it out through the writers by guiding them as they wrote. There are no contradictions, but there are some very deep truths that require searching out and studying the Bible as a whole and intimacy with God by Jesus' Holy Spirit.

 

[Godislove94]

When I started really reading the Bible (I mean READING) after I got baptized, I started in the Gospel of John and then moved to Matthew, etc. John portrays Jesus as the Son of God and focuses on His divinity. Matthew focuses on Jesus as a human, Mark is a general overview of all four and Luke portrays Jesus as the healer and great physician that He is.