starting to read the Bible?

Question

I was going to start to read the Bible. Is there a specific book in the Bible i should start with or just go cover to cover?

Answer 1

Definitely start with the Gospels. Then read Genesis. Then Acts through Revelation. Then Psalms. Then Job. Then Exodus through Esther. Then Proverbs through Malachi.

Answer 2

I would start with Genesis, then Job, then Ruth, then the Proverbs, then the gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John), then Acts, then Corinthians, I think that would give you a good start. After that, read what you feel. Really though, it depends what you want out of the Bible and why you are reading. Are you looking for Chronilogical representation of the Bible? Start with the Old Testament. Are you looking for what the Bible says about Jesus? Start with the Gospels and Acts. Are you looking for ways that a Christian should strive to live their lives? I'd start with Proverbs and then the New Testament. Are you looking for overall inspiration? Maybe start with Psalms.

After you get started in reading it, and maybe you get stuck on where to go next, what I like to do take the Bible in my hands, open it, close my eyes, and just thumb through it and stop when you get the feeling to stop. Every single time I've done that and basically just let the spirit move the pages and have me stop, it's always about something I need at that moment.

I don't think there is really any right or wrong to start studying the Bible, so which ever method you choose, good luck!

Answer 3

I commend you starting a very noble project. It will take a while, and there are some sections that will definitely discourage you. Those who read cover-to-cover often get discouraged when they reach "the Begats." And there are several lists like that in the first five books of the Bible. If that's the way you are going to do it, I suggest that it is better to skip over those parts than to give up because you tried to trudge through them.

With that said, however, it would be best to start with Genesis -- it is the background, and lays the groundwork, for the entire Bible. The other four of the books of Moses (Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy) would also help. After that, you can skip around fairly freely without too much loss of continuity.

Answer 4

I hope that you have a good concordance to read along with the Bible. You will need it to understand difficult passages.
It has been said by many Bible Scholars that you will not understand the New Testament unless you read the first Book of the Old Testament which is Genesis. You will need this foundation.
I would recommend that you start with Genesis and then go on to the New Testament. The Book of John is the most revealing book of the four gospels about what you must do to become a Christian.

Answer 5

I decided it was finally time for me to read the whole bible a little while ago. I opted to read the entire NT first and have only just started reading the OT. I went out and bought an archaeological study bible. Not only are they notes and guidance for studying the bible in it, but the information about who the author of each book was and who the intended audience was. This bible also has inserts on archaeological digs at places mentioned in the bible. If I were you, I would take a look at the different types of study bibles (there are study guides available to use with whatever bible you already use) available. Choose something that will not only help your comprehension, but help you keep you interested while you reading. Parts of the bible can be pretty confusing and dull if you don't understand the context.

Answer 6

Genesis is the first book and it's my favorite. It has Adam & Eve and Noah's flood and the Tower of Babel. Exodus is pretty cool too. It has Moses and Pharoah and the trip to the promised land and the slaughter of people who lived there. After Exodus the Old Testament slows down a lot. Leviticus is pretty tough going and hardly anybody can make it through Numbers.

The New Testament is a whole different trip. Whereas Old Testament God is mean and angry and bloody-minded, New Testament God is warm and fuzzy and loves everybody. It's an amazing transformation. But the NT is really preachy.

I think it's best to just read the bits that interest you at your own pace. If you make bible reading too much of a chore you'll burn out on it.

Answer 7

In order to get the most out of your Bible reading as a new "reader"...It's best to start in the portions or "books" that apply to christians as far as practical living. I recommend starting with the book of John 2/3 through the Holy bible. Here's a general break up of the christian perspective of the Bible.
Genesis-account of our origins and the origin of the universe.
The Old Testament is written as a foreshadowing of Christ's coming and a story of God's forgiveness and humankinds falling again and again into idoltry.
Starting with the New Testament, it's an account of the prophecied Messiah coming, Jesus Christ.
Matthew, Mark, Luke and John (the "gospels") are the first 4 books of the New Testament and are a recordation of the events of Jesus' life and death and ressurrection.
Moving on from there, Acts..Romans etc...are books for practical application of Christian living. Kind of a "go to" source for questions of faith and christian living. They are actually letters to churches from the apostles. The last book of the Bible is Revelations, and is future tense and will occur some day. It is prophecy that hasn't happened yet.

I think new readers of the Bible can get confused with the Old Testament writings because it seems to contrast with the New Testament. The New Testament brought about a new "covenant" or contract and is like that because of what happened to Jesus on the cross...not just the physical act but what it means spiritually. I hope this was a helpful guide or really rough overview of the Bible that serves to help you in your understanding of scripture.

Answer 8

Start reading the Bible as you would any other book, start at the beginning. The Bible is in chronological order and as you read from the beginning you see what God's purpose is for mankind, what other followers have gone through to pursue righteousness and how there are many guidelines that lovers of God should following in order to live a life pleasing to God.

Answer 9

there is no one correct answer, but my suggestion is to start with the New Testament. the reason is because the Old testament is the partly the book of the law sometimes called "the sin"chapters where the New testament is what pertains to us now a days and is sometimes called the "Love"chapters as Jesus fulfilled the law for us. Another way is to do one chapter of each.
A good study Bible will also have a reading plan that is suggested. All in All it is up to you . Let the Spirit lead you

Answer 10

Way to go on reading the Bible!

I would recommend reading 3 chapters at a time to get started. One from Genesis, one from the Psalms and one from Matthew. Then each day go on to the next in the sequence. But take your time with them. Digest what you read. Use a journal to take notes and write down questions. A great resource for Bible study questions is found here:

http://www.gty.org/resources.php#

Click on "Study Guides," enter in the passage in question, then hit "Go."

Hope all goes well!

Isaiah 55:10-11
10 As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, 11 so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.