As part of my punishment, my parents want me to read the Bible?

Question

I have been very bad and have gotten in a lot of trouble. Please let me know which parts I should begin with. I am really, really tired of getting in trouble. I am 12.

Answer 1

Start with Genesis 1:1 and just work forward. You will enjoy it. You will find all sorts of questions to ask your parents.

Answer 2

Molly,

Imagine the effect on you, if as punishment, they said that they would not allow you to read the Bible for three days.

That would convey the message that the Bible was something good and that it was being withheld from you as a punishment. What your parents did was well intended, but not helpful, in my opinion.

As far as which parts to begin with, I don't think blindly reading the Bible for undirected help is much help for anything. Although, a daily routine of reading the bible chapter by chapter can be helpful and instructive in general. That might be your best approach.

Guess what? Ask your parents what they think would be good portions to read that you would be able to understand. Try them. If you have trouble understanding them then tell your parents you would like their help in finding another version that is meant for someone your age. Or suggest that you or they go ask your minister.

There are biblical text versions designed for younger people. Your age is right at the break point between younger children and teenager texts. That makes it harder for you.

Your parents will also like the idea that you want to pursue this and hopefully will make sure that you get the help you need.

The following link tells about bibles for younger readers.

https://shop6.gospelcom.net/epages/GospelDirect.storefront/45ad27d903d707ac271dccfd841906b0/Catalog/1218

Answer 3

Read the new testament, where Jesus paid the price for you being bad. Confess Jesus Christ your Lord and believe in your heart the atonement for your sins and resurrection from the dead, and you will be saved. Jesus blood washes away all the bad you did ever. Remember that believing in your heart is the most important part. Your Heavenly Father is looking at your heart and if it is honest to Him.

Discipline is necessary. Your parents love you. If they let you misbehave, then you would wonder if your parents really cared about you.

Read http://www.fathersloveletter.com That is reading the bible and you also can have it read to you.

Answer 4

It actually is a good thing reading the bible, since you will get to see how silly religious people are. You will get to realize that what they state is "God's" words are full of contradictions, hence how can a perfect being write things that contradict? Start at the beginning, you will enjoy the story of Noah, since it actually would be impossible to keep 2 of every animal on a ark that size for 375 days (where was all the food stored, how was it cleaned, etc?). This will hopefully broaden your mind and realize the biggest con that has gone on for thousands of years.

Answer 5

Well, have fun those those so and so begat so and so...

I'd start with the New Testament, its an easier read. Then go back and read the Old Testament. While reading try to remember the parts to refer to things in the NT.

Answer 6

Well, depending on the translation it could be hard for you to understand. See if you can get a "teen Bible." That will help for starters. The whole Bible is important to read but start at Proverbs. There are bits of wisdom that will help you grow and mature if you retain them and apply them to your life. The New Testament also tells the life and death of Christ. He died for your sins. He died for your salvation. Follow Him and I promise you won't be having these problems with your parents.

Answer 7

Read the Old Testament story of Queen Esther. It's a great story for women, and gals of all ages if you've got to read the Bible. She was BRAVE and empowering. Good role model stuff.

_()_

Answer 8

Lectio Divina is Latin for “spiritual reading” and represents an early monastic technique of prayer which continues in practice though less widely, intended to achieve communion with God as well as providing special spiritual insights and peace from that experience. It is a way of praying with Scripture that calls one to study, ponder, listen and, finally, pray from God's Word.




History
Lectio Divina was first expressed in the year 220 AD. It was found that to read the Bible profitably it is necessary to do so with attention, consistency and prayer. The systematization of “spiritual reading” into four steps dates back to the 12th century. Around 1150, Guigo II, a Carthusian monk, wrote a book entitled “The Monk’s Ladder” (Scala Claustralium) wherein he set out the theory of the four rungs: reading, meditation, prayer and contemplation. In 2005, Pope Benedict XVI stated, “This is the ladder by which the monks ascend from earth to heaven.”
Method
Lectio is typically practiced daily for one continuous hour. A selection from the Holy Scriptures is chosen ahead of time, often as a daily progression through a particular book of the Bible.
Time
Selecting a time for lectio divina is important. Typical methods are to pray for one hour in the morning, or to divide it into two half-hour periods, one in the morning and one in the evening. The key is to pre-select the time that will be devoted to the prayer, and to keep it. Using the same time every day leads to a daily habit of prayer that becomes highly effective.
Place
The place for prayer is to be free from distractions. This means it should be isolated from other people, telephones, visual distractions, etc. Some find a religious icon to be helpful. The same place should be used for lectio if possible, especially as one first begins to practice it. Familiarity with a location reduces the possibility of distraction away from the prayer. Some practitioners conduct other devotions, such as praying before the Catholic Eucharist, as a preparation for Lectio Divina.
Preparation
Prior to reading, it is important to engage in a transitional activity that takes one from the normal state of mind to a more contemplative and prayerful state. A few moments of deep, regular breathing and a short prayer inviting the Holy Spirit to guide the prayer time helps to set the tone and improve the effectiveness of the lectio.
Once the stage is set it is time to begin the prayer. There are four phases of the prayer, which do not necessarily progress in an ordered fashion. One may move between different phases of the prayer very freely as the Spirit guides.
The Four Moments
Lectio
Read the passage several times.
Meditatio
Reflect on the text of the passage, thinking about how to apply to one's own life. Gravitate to any particular phrase or word that seems to be of particular import. This should not be confused with exegesis, but is a very personal reading of the Scripture and application to one's own life.
Oratio
Respond to the passage by opening the heart to God. This is not primarily an intellectual exercise, but more of the beginning of a conversation with God.
Contemplatio
Listen to God. This is a freeing oneself from one's own thoughts, both mundane and holy. It is about hearing God talk to us. Opening our mind, heart and soul to the influence of God. Any conversation must allow for both sides to communicate, and this most unfamiliar act is allowing oneself to be open to hearing God speak.

Answer 9

First, it's not punishment to read the Bible, but rather hope so that you can learn to be better and follow God's path.

It might help you to read John:
"God created us without us: but he did not will to save us without us." To receive his mercy, we must admit our faults. "If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just, and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 8-9).

Find Joy in reading the Bible, it's u'r salvation. I always start with the New Testement (Matthew) to give me hope when I' ve made boo-boo's. God Bless.

Answer 10

REVISED ANSWER:

AFTER READING ALL OF YOUR QUESTIONS: You really don't seem to be 12 or even 13, but you seem to be some sort of mental-case adult who has a fetish with being a child.

I still suspect, however, that your question is offered in an attempt to make Christian parents look like the Taliban.

If you really want to read the Scriptures then begin in Matthew and pray for healing 'cause you really seem like you need it, in more ways than one.