Yes, I'm finally going to read the Bible, I'm 19 years old and I think it would do me a lot of good. Sometimes I don't believe in God because things for me get worse, but I guess nobody is perfect. Hopefully I'll get to be more closer with God by reading his teachings. Any suggestions on how I should read the Bible? There are many chapters and by what I hear it gets confusing.
2007-01-17 14:58:40 · 32 answers · asked by Loving Life, Always, and Forever 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Good for you. I was around 19 when I read the Bible for the first time too. I prayed for God's guidance in helping me to understand His word as I read. Be aware that there are some dry places in the Old Testament, especially if you've never read the Bible before. Just keep plugging away at it though. There are some things that you just won't understand until God is ready to reveal it to you. You should just keep reading, studying, and praying. The Old Testament is an important foundation for understanding the New Testament. You will see just how loving and merciful and patient God is.
I would read from cover to cover. It's not the easiest, but it is the most fulfilling.
2007-01-17 15:11:06 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
First things first. If you want to read it and understand it, ask God to reveal it to you. I know that sounds odd. I mean you're reading it, right?. So what's the reveal stuff all about? It's the difference between saying "it's good literature, but nothing more" or "none of it makes any sense at all" and "Wow! I get it!" Big difference.
It's not supposed to make sense to those who don't want to believe. God's looking for a little faith in your heart. Otherwise, I figure He figures, why bother. You won't get anything out of it. You see, it's not just a book. It's God's word. He wants you to take it seriously. Make sense?
And hey ... start at Genesis. It's a great read. If you get bogged down in later chapters, it's okay to skip around. The new testament is really cool, but the old one has some great historical stuff in it. You might find a good bible commentary useful too.
2007-01-17 15:10:20 · answer #2 · answered by High Flyer 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
It is a wonderful book, but sometimes to start at the beginning and go all the way through can make it confusing or seem kinda...long or boring. I'd suggest to maybe start in the new testament ( what I do is read 1-2 books in the new testament and only like one half or 1 book of the old testament at a time) or you could look online for advice too, maybe check into a christian site. Good luck, I get a lot out of it and really enjoy it.
2007-01-17 15:06:05 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
First I would like to say I am no expert on the bible, and the answer i give is only what works for me, but, when I read it trying to think like a parent.
We are God's children, so, if you were an all powerfull adult, and you have kids that steal or do dumb *** stuff or are selfish etc.
Would you want to see your child burning for eternity?
Or would you, as a father, want to see your kids kill each other in your name?
Would you take pleasure in there pain and confusion?
I don't think so, I think, you would recognize that because they are children with limited knowledge.
And because you know they will screw up and wont listen, I think you will be long suffering, for them.
And as a parent, knowing that if you can protect them until they get older, they will be able to understand your rules and what you have given and done for them.
Have you ever seen a child rebel because the parent has said you will go to bed early, or you cant have candy, or you should not stay out late?
Parent put up with it, because they love there children, and hope all ways for the best for them.
Try to think like a parent while reading the bible, that should put things into a more realistic perspective.
Parents live for, and will gladly die for, there children, and when there children are in pain weather emotional, phisical, or mental.
The Parent will allways suffer more than the child.
I dont expect you to belive me now, but I think in time you will understand.
2007-01-17 15:28:13 · answer #4 · answered by markoffwell 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I usually say a prayer like "May You guide me to the pages that will help me," and then open the Bible and start reading. But I suggest you start with the Gospels or the Letters of Paul. I recommend you read "Dark Night of the Soul" by St. John of the Cross. It is a great book that explains those hard times where you think on giving up on your religion. I had similar periods in which I was doubtful because things didn't turn out how I wanted, but this book really helped me analyzse myself and comforted me.
2007-01-17 15:03:43 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Well, I'm just going to tell you that people who have been studying the Bible their whole life still don't know everything that it teaches. Everytime that you read something you could realize that there is one meaning or hundreds of meanings. I think that is great that you want to read the Bible and I pray that you will get closer to God.
God Bless.
2007-01-17 15:03:59 · answer #6 · answered by "Hello, I Love You" 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
if i was to begin from scratch beginning after luke and john in the new testiment but not revelations
then mathew ,mark and john ,like
then issiah through to end of old testiment ,reading revelations and daniel together then genisis ,exodus etc but leaving job till last,
it helps to read a section at a sitting ,the koran is interesting as well but its only a 3 day read
they have proven that the bible can be read in total in less than 24 hours but not recomended ,a few pages a day gets you a long way.
2007-01-17 15:23:57 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
There is the one book that any christian book store should carry that covers the bible section by section. It also explains to help the reader understand what they just read. Or you can go from start to finish and read it part by part making your way through. Good luck, God loves us all no matter what and will not judge you for doubting.
2007-01-17 15:05:02 · answer #8 · answered by ~Les~ 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I would suggest you read the Bible with an open mind, that is: keep in mind the cultures for which it was written. If you really want to learn about G-d by reading his teachings, you should also read The Tanakh and the Qu'ran, and then the holy scriptures of faiths which believe in other deities.
2007-01-17 15:13:34 · answer #9 · answered by Kathy P-W 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Here's a link to a daily reading Bible. You can read a few chapters of the Bible (Old Testament & New Testament) each day. That should help you get started.
http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/devotions/daily.reading.bible/
2007-01-17 15:02:40 · answer #10 · answered by srprimeaux 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋