How should someone read the Bible?

Question

My husband wants to read the entire Bible. I gave him my KJV, and he made it through Exodus before he said he couldn't stand to read anymore. Someone had suggested to me that a person should never read from front to back. Should I recommend a different order in which to read? Should I get a different version for him?

If you read the whole book, how did you go about doing it? And which version(s) did you read?

Answer 1

Bogged down halfway through Exodus. Yep! That is about right for a cover to cover reading. The last half of Exodus, and much of Leviticus, Numbers and Duetronomy that follow, are some of the "driest" portions of scripture. It is about like trying to read a law book, because that is what they are. In those books, God gives the 614 different laws that make up the Mosaic Convenant. For someone who is just starting into the Bible, it would be like trying to read the Constitution to understand American history.

Recommend that he try one of the gospels as a starting point. Usually the gospel of John is recommended, bdcause John adds comments and interpretation to most of the stories he records to make them easier to understand then the other three gospels.

From there continue on into Acts, for the history of the early Christians, and then Romans for Paul's masterpiece of explaining the Christian faith.

Add to it a Psalm or two each reading, and maybe part of a chapter of Proverbs. Those will give you some of the flavor of the Old Testament praise, worship and wisdom.

Contunue the OT by skipping to the book of Joshua and reading on. That will get you back into the history, which I have always found to be the most interesting parts of the OT.

Also, really really consider getting a more recent translation like the New International Version, New King James, etc where you do not have to decypher the language as will as the meaning of the text.

Answer 2

I would suggest reading the New Testament first, then go back and read the Old Testament.

Some people suggest starting with the Gospel of John, then the other 3 Gospels than the Old Testament.

Also there are a number of lists (even in some Bible) where it tells you what to read each day so you can read the whole Bible in one year. You usually read a little from 2 or 3 books per day (that way you do not get bogged down with things like the genealogies in the Old Testament).

Answer 3

I answered a question similar to this yesterday.

I think it is best to start reading in the New Testament. Personally I read from cover to cover, but I have read the New Testament many more times than the old.

I don't think it really matters, most people I know, even preachers, have never read it from cover to cover. That's not saying they haven't read the entire Bible but rather not in the order they were placed in the Bible.

The Old Testament can be confusing to someone who doesn't understand the mind of God. God told the people a lot of things to do under the law that we do not keep today. If a person does not know, this will really confuse them. I know a man in his 40s who really injured himself performing a circumcision. He just didn't know.

First of all we all need to read it. Picking anywhere is good because it's all the word of God. I like reading from cover to cover so I know I am sure I have not skiped over something. That's not to say I don't skip around when I am studying a particular topic.

I have found it's best to read with an open mind and let the Lord lead us. Push out what we have been taught and see what church lines up with the scriptures rather than what scriptures line up with them.

Answer 4

Dear KKings,

The King James Bible is the best english version! The others have grave errors in them.

As for your husband, why not read the Bible together with him? You read a chapter and then he reads a chapter. After each chapter you can discuss what really impacted your soul.

I must also say that the Bible is a spiritual book-It is the word of God. In John 6:63 we read, "It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life." I always ask the Lord to help me as I read His word. I usually pray Psalm 119:18, "Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law."

One can read the Bible and not get anything from it. Why? Because they come to the Bible in pride with preconceived ideas. We must come humbly before God and ask Him to give us some understanding. The Bible states, "But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble."

May I also suggest that he start in 1 Samuel if you prefer to start in the Old Testament. If he wants to start in the New Testament, the Gospel of John is nice place to begin.

May I also suggest 1 more thing. There is a Christian Program on the radio called the "Open Forum." It is a call-in radio question and answer program. Listeners call in with their question and the host answers it from the Bible. It is a toll-free number also. You can also listen on your computer at FamilyRadio.org. If you go to their website FamilyRadio.com you will be able to get information about the station frequency and phone number.

I hope this will help.

Answer 5

KJV is very hard to read, I'd suggest NASB or NIV.

I've read cover to cover and like to do that. I'm doing it again right now, with a modern translation. I stopped though, at the reign of David and Solomon and began to read through their writings before moving on - Psalms, Proverbs, Song of Solomon, and Ecclesiastes. Then I'll go on to the other kings!

JP: Many Christians have read the entire Bible. I've read it before and am doing it again, my pastors have, and so have others I know. If reading the Bible turns people atheist.... how do you account for people going to seminary, and reading the Bible not only cover to cover, but many times, in the original Greek and Hebrew? If you really go deeper with it, and look plainly at the prophecies they are very consistent with Jesus. Also if you look at the way God operates in general.

I suggest you speak with more intellectual Christians who know the Bible well. There are some, you know!

Answer 6

He took the usual way most of us did.
Try starting in John. This was the last Gospel written, and the audience was the already established church.
From John, Acts picks up the history of the early church.
Romans is largely doctrinal, and is not easily understood without a knowledge of other parts of the Bible.
A reading of John, then perhaps the other Gospels is a very good start.
I would recommend the New King James for the modern reader, but keep the King James with it.

Answer 7

There are 1 year bibles available,however, if he is just starting out I suggest he starts with the book of John in the New Testament then to Romans then Genesis.
After that, try the 1 year bible.
Remember, the Word is living and active. You can take your time and read some things again and again and at different times in your life you see different things.

Answer 8

I would start in the New Testament, preferrabll John. Then read the other 3 gospels (Matt., Mark, Luke). Then read in order after John. After the New, I'd then go to the old testament. I say start in John because in my opinion it gives one of the clearest pictures of who Christ is. God bless. I would stick with the KJV for the simple fact that I have copies of all the other translations, and it is not only better, but it is complete and the most thorough. Every one of the others leave out ALOT of scriptures, even whole chapters.

Answer 9

A lot of the Bible is not very inspiring.

Go to the book store and get a book about reading the bible.

Also, get some books on the History of the Middle East during those times.

Answer 10

For a person reading the Bible for the first time, I would recommend starting with the New Testament. It is easier to read and applies to our lives today.

I would start with a New King James Version. The NIV can also be used for reading but is not very reliable for in depth study.