new christian where the best place to start reading the bible?

Question

i just started to go to church but i dont know where to start

Answer 1

first, get a modern translation, one that you will be able to understand easily. I would recommend the Life Application Bible in New Living Translation. A good place to start would be with the gospel of John. if you would like someone to "guide" you through studies, etc. i am available to do that kind of thing online.

Answer 2

The Bible is not a book that is meant to be read from beginning to end, my advice to get a daily study guide like Daily Bread or every day with Jesus. What these do is break the bible into very small chuck and then talks briefly about then in an easy to understand why. Most churches will probably give you one of these for free or any are available from any christian bookshop.
I also suggest reading it with some else who may have more christian experience than you. See if your church has a bible study or house group you could join. It's a lot easier to learn with other people.

Answer 3

I've been a Bible scholar for years and much as I adore the Old Testament, it's heavy going past Genesis if you are unfamiliar with the Scriptures, as you get straight into the Old Law - that is the Law of Moses.

As Christ came to fulfil this Law, by being the ultimate 'sacrifical lamb', I would begin with the New Testament to ease you into it so you get familar with the writings and terminology. Not sure if you're reading the King James Version or not - far more closer to the truth as that version hasn't been so diluted as the many others. If you aren't, do try when you have more understanding of the Gospel, to read the KJV, it is beautiful.

Get a good Bible that cross-references the OT and NT as well. Read the Psalms too. They do sometimes get forgotten but are full of prophecies that are shown as being fulfilled in the NT writings. A double witness of the truth. Enjoy your reading. Good tip, before you start, don't forget to ask our Father in Heaven to help you to understand what you're reading and gain a true witness. It works!

Answer 4

Start with the bits that were left out, the Mesoptamian origin tales (like Genesis only written hundreds of years earlier and hauntingly almost exactly the same); move on the Book of Jasher, which if you search hard enough online you can find (it gives an alternative view Exodus, including bigger roles for Miriam, half-sister of Aaron and Moses); from there ask about the gospels other than Matthew, Mark etc and finally really ask yourself if the Bible is truly the Word of God, given its revisions and ommissions. Also, check out some alternative views on James, Brother of Jesus, whose position varies according to the historical source material. By all means take your faith seriously, but read wider than just the Bible!

Answer 5

1) Get a student study Bible with commentaries in it. This will help you understand the Bible.

2) Genesis is a good place to start, but you cal also start with the New Testament.

3) I would read the historical books in the order they are printed in the Bible. Otherwise your chronology could get confusing.

4) I'd read the latter prophets after the historical books, cause there's information in the histories which will help you understand the prophets.

5) Leviticus and Deuteronomy should be read after Exodus.

6) The other books, read them in whatever order you like.

Answer 6

I recommend going to a Walk Thu the Bible seminar you can find their schedule on the Net
http://www.walkthru.org/site/PageServer

Start with the gospels, you will get lost if you start in the begining

but for the Old Testament read these books after the New Testament they will bring you through the Old Testament history

Old:
Genesis
400 years of slavery in Egypt
Exodus
Joshua
Judges
1 Samual
2 Samual
1 Kings
2 Kings
70 years of captivity in Babylon
Ezra
Nehamiah

NEw:
read the whole things

go back and read the whole bible after
if you read 3 chapeters a day you can go through it in a year
a chapter is really like a page

Answer 7

As a New Christian the appropriate place to start educating yourself about Jesus and your faith is The NEW TESTAMENT contrary to what others will tell you who seem to forget that new one's need spiritual milk so they can grow - (spiritual milk is figurative so don't worry about it being new jargon to learn).

The New Testament is and should be a priority. Then you can read the old Testament. If you are deeply concerned and want as much meat of the Word of God as you can get..... then read a chapter of the Old - then of the New...

Just keep in mind that some things in the Old Testament (requirements of the law in putting people to death and such) have been put away with. The law is used only to identify sins, but thanks to Jesus, we do not have to follow the ceremonial requirements.

Keep your focus on the New Testament however, because this is were the new born learns who saved him, why, how to live and what great rewards await the followers of Christ Jesus.

ALWAYS PRAY before reading your Bible and ask God to help you understand, and show you the Way, In Jesus name, Amen. and He will - little by little so do not expect to understand everything at one time. Some of your brothers and sisters will be excited and try to push too much too fast - but Let the Holy Spirit teach you and guide you with what he will as he will.

Answer 8

Ask at your church if they have a "new believers" bible study or some sort of home study that you can join. Sometimes just reading the Bible can get discouraging and confusing and being with others to ask questions and discuss what you read makes it a bit more interesting.

They also might have the daily bread book which will give you a chapter or theme of the day to read.

Answer 9

If you are Catholic get a Lectionary from your parish priest. It will include every reading for every Sunday. So you can read ahead of follow up after Mass. You can also read what was read if you ever miss mass. Many other Christians use a similar guide modelled after the Catholics.So ask at your parish. The BEST way to read the bible is in the company of other Christians. You'll get much more when discussing it with others.

Answer 10

Recommend that you begin with the gospel of John. It is the fourth book of the New Testament. It is one of the four accounts of the live of Jesus. John wrote it with new Christians in mind, at a time when 99% of the world knew nothing at all about Jesus. So he gives additional background detail and commentary on a lot of the events.

Also, find the book of Psalms in the Old Testament. If you open your Bible to the middle you will proabaly hit Psalms. It is a collections of the lyrics for 150 songs of praise. You find one form almost any situation you can think of. They are excellent to read one or two of a day. Help you learn to love and worship God.

Welcome to the family. You will be in my prayers...

Answer 11

You can buy a guide to the bible which will give you an overview then you can start reading the bits that you think are most relevant to you now.
I would recommend however that you buy a bible in modern english and quite large print. Most people own a king james bible but the language is so outdated that they are really hard to read. Its a big book so dont make things harder for your self than you need to.