Bible question Pastors Please!!!?

Question

I am a new believer. Well I've believed since I was a kid, but we are now going to church and getting baptised. I want to read the bible before bed. I can't believe how interesting it is. My question is.. where do i start?? the new testament? The old, or in genesis?? My mom said to start in John, but i would like to see whate everyone else thinks. (baptist)

Answer 1

Well there is not set place to start. When I became a Christian and serious about my faith I read through Romans. Romans is the longest of Paul's writings but it has a lot of interesting and exciting material in it.

If you are wanting a shorter reading then I would read Ephesians or Colossians. And the best gospel to read for the 1st time is Mark. Because Mark clearly demonstrates the identity of Jesus and is rather short.

As for a new believer you could start in Genesis but when you get to books like say Numbers you will probably get worn out because it becomes less interesting. So read key texts.

Some say to read 1 chapter of Proverbs a day for a month or read a Psalm a day these are both very encouraging practices.

Answer 2

Finish the Gospels starting with John and then going through Matthew, Mark & Luke.

Then go to Acts before you start reading the Epistles. Then read the Epistles.

Then go to Genesis and the rest of the Old Testament.

When you read it for the first time, dont make it your goal that you should read every verse. For instance, if the geneology in Matthew bores you, skip it. You can read it when you do your second reading of the Bible. Similarly, if you don't understand some part, and dont really have time to delve into it and find out what it means, skip it. Go back to it when you have time and can move through it slowly.

Keep your first reading interesting. That will keep you going. Choose what interests you. You can do the "heavy weight" portions in a second reading , when you've completed reading most of the Bible once.

Most importantly, don't for get to ask God to lead you through what He wants you to read. Believe me, He will, most of the time by piquing your interests on different passages. That would certainly be the best fit reading for you.

Answer 3

I would begin reading the books in the New Testament. The gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) are great for teaching you about Jesus (his life and his teachings). I also enjoy reading Romans and Corinthians. They are great for teaching you about living as a Christian.

One of my favorite books in the Bible; however, is in the Old Testament. It's the book of Psalms. The psalms are so filled with emotion (love and joy, and sometimes sadness).

The Bible is God's living word. He speaks to us through the Bible. Sometimes, I just open up the Bible and start reading. When I let God just direct me, I am always amazed at what he shows me.

Answer 4

Start reading the new testament: Matthew, Mark,Luke and John). You will learn a lot with Paul's letters too. Then read the psalms and the proverbs.
Pray before you read. The Bible is not only a book but God's Words (as Spirit and Life).
The Spirit of God will guide you.

Answer 5

Start with Mark, the shortest, starkest, and likely first gospel, to get a feel for the first public portrayal of Jesus. Then read Genesis to get an idea of the Jewish background mythos. Read Matthew to see how Jesus was shown to be the fulfillment of Jewish prophecy. Then read Luke and Acts to show how Christianity opened up to the Gentiles. After that, go to Exodus to familiarize yourself with the primal salvation event of the Jews. And then read John for comparison.

Answer 6

Why not begin with the beginning? Genesis, then Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. You'd probably be better off starting with the narrative sections.

The stories in the Old Testament, especially the beginning ones, are important for anyone who wants to understand the New Testament writings. The writers of the New Testament assume that you are already familiar with what's in the Old Testament.

You can't understand Jesus, for example, without understanding Moses, or Elijah, or King David. You can't understand what Paul is talking about in his letters without knowing about Abraham.

Answer 7

I´m not a Pastor and actually I'm catholic, but I think you should start in Mathew and complete the new testament before you go to genesis. It works when young people ask me about the same thing in Brazil.

Answer 8

You should definately start by reading Frederick Engels. He wrote several great books on religion and social issues that are still quite important today.

His most famous quote is " Religion is the opiate of the masses " which means that people always want to find some place where they can feel better, weather they are better off there or not.

Always remember that the bible is a book, written by men ( humans ) who are prone to their own interpretations, beliefs, and errors. Jesus never wrote ANY of the bible, he only "inspired" it ( fact, not fiction ). Beware of blind belief in anything written, no matter who wrote it.

The Honorable Pastor James

Answer 9

I'm not a pastor but I would recommend reading the new testament first and learn the teachings of Jesus...
then you get into the teachings of Paul (he basically spread christianity to the rest of the world and helped structure the new modern day church)
then go back to the old testament and read all that

Answer 10

Well, I'm not a pastor, but I do read the bible.

Start at Genesis if you want a good story.
If you want to read for inspiration, you can subscribe to a free devotional, or buy some. The devotionals are nice: they include story, prayer, important verse, and daily bible reading.