Does anyone know a good way to read the bible, like what to read first?

Answer 1

Start from the beginning and read to the end. Just like any other book you may read. Although the Bible is a collection of books, start with the beginning and read to the end. It will take time, but everyone should read the whole thing at least once, though I'd recommend more than once. May Yah bless your journey.

Answer 2

Boy, you will probably get a lot of differing answers on this one.

I am going to give you a short cut and then say start where you will. What I mean is this: What are we to find in the Bible or in all the scriptures?

So many look and the bible as a puzzle that is difficult to put together. Dose this pice go here or there? What one can do is be as smart as a child. Before a child puts a puzzle together he will look at the box. Why, because the picture is on the box. It shows you what it all looks like when it is together.

Do we have a picture on the box where the bible is concerned?

Yes, John 5:39 Jesus said to the Pharisees and could just as easily say to us now. "You search the Scriptures, because in them you think you have eternal life and these are they which testify of Me." They are about Jesus for us. The wages of sin is death but the gift of God is Eternal life in Christ Jesus.

So I would suggest that wherever you start and whatever your reading plan you remember always the picture on the box.

Answer 3

It is hard to really get into your Bible reading if you start from Genesis and go on. The Mosaic Law and the census numbers get a bit tedious. Start with Psalms or the Gospels first. Then do the first part of the Bible. Read parts that are especially interesting to you first. Then you will be able to get through the less interesting sections. Finish with the latter half of the New Testament and Revelation.

Answer 4

I would recommend reading the Gospels first (the first four books of the N. Testament, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) and then Revelation. Then read the books of the N Testament in between the Gospels and Revelation. After finishing the N Testament, go back and read the Old Testament. It is a bit slower and less applicable to your life, but its good for historical purposes none the less.

Oh yeah, 2 GREAT books from the O. Testament are Job and Proverbs, great books to apply to your life today! Figured I'd add those too : )

Answer 5

There are many ways. I think it is best to read from beginning to end the first time.

If that doesn't put you off entirely....

Next time through, start reading the bible in parallel. I mean reading all those duplicate stories from the different books side by side. Notice the differences. How can both be true? Why are there 4 different versions of the 10 commandments, and how come you never heard about that in Sunday School? Who was actually at Jesus tomb?

Next time try reading it with a concordance of biblical errancy. Don't take the word of the author...look the verses up yourself in context. The bible is completely riddled with error, contradiction, anachronism, illogic and just plain absurdity that it can be entertaining in the way a really really bad movie is.

another fun way is just by topic. This website has a bible searchable by atrocity, humor, sex, absurdity etc. great fun
http://skepticsannotatedbible.com/index....
Where is that passage about the talking mule?
How many people does God kill in the Old Testament anyway?
Where does it say insects and some birds have 4 legs?
all here

The single worst way to read the bible is how most Christians actually do it. Taking their Ministers word on what to read, cherry picking nice stories and verses, avoiding the nasty and vile stuff.

Answer 6

The OT seems pretty much straight forward for its order. As for the NT, Luke seems to be the first, or oldest translation of the synoptic gospels, with Matthew and Mark following and John last. However, the writings of Paul and those associated with him seem to be even older than the Gospels, but that puts the story out of order. I recommend reading "Misquoting Jesus" by Bart D. Ehrman as well as the Skeptic's Annotated Bible.

Answer 7

Start by reading Genesis; the first book of the Bible.

Answer 8

Start with the book of John (4th book of the New Testament).

Once you read it. Read it again. Then go to the book of Jude. Read from Jude to Matthew, book by book.

Once you've got a good handle on the New Testament, then go to Malachi and read it book by book to Genesis.

To add a little to your reading, add a chapter of Proverbs. Read the chapter that co-insides with the day. Today is the 30th, read chapter 30. Tomorrow you can read chapter 31. On the 1st, read chapter 1...and so on.

I know it's unconventional...but it works and will be a blessing!

Answer 9

I would suggest looking up the Episcopal prayer book which has a three year cycle of bible readings. This is not to say you need to take three years to do it but it does often tie OT and NT together. It also skips most of the begats.

Still, I would advise you not to bother for now. Read philosophy, read history, only come back to the bible when you can put it in context and treat it for what it is - a great book but not an infallible book - a guide but not a dogma.

Good luck.

Answer 10

I would read John first, then maybe ephesians, galatians, then maybe start from the beginning and read it all. If you want an excellent study to go through listen to one a day at www.ttb.org with Dr. J. Vernon Mcgee.