Diving back in the Bible...?

Question

I have fallen away from the word, and I really want to get back in it. Yet, I feel that when I sit down to read, I don't feel connected. Even when I pray for God's presence, it is hard to focus because I feel I don't have a structure to my reading. Besides Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, can anyone give me guidance to where to start back?

Ok, I haven't gotten out of the "cult"...Jesus has me and he won't let me go...if you have something negative to say, please keep it to yourself. Answers from bible believing Christians please.

Answer 1

If you have lost your way, its best to start over, by reading the Bible, from the beginning. When you read the Bible, not only read it with others, in Bible study or in church, but also at home, whenever possible. Reading the Bible, on a daily basis, at home, is the best way for a Christian to grow in their faith. THE BIBLE IS THE ONLY BOOK WE NEED (TO READ AND LEARN FROM), IN LIFE. Jesus said, "Man can not live by bread alone, but by every word of God."
Think about this bible verse from Jesus. Ask yourself: What did Jesus do? Did Jesus go to a public school or go to college, to earn a living? No. Did Jesus work a job, for money? No. Jesus lived by God's word, alone and God had people supported Jesus (and His 12 disciples), for doing His work. If we are truly want to follow Jesus Christ, as Christians, we should follow Jesus's example, by living to do what He did. Jesus said, "If you give up your life (for Christ), you will find it. If you try to save your life (not give it up for Christ, by desiring to live by world's way and not God's), you will lose your life."

When you read the Bible, allow God's gift of the Holy Spirit to help you understand the Bible, which is a Spirit that will lead you in all truth. When you truly become a Christian, God will give you this gift (Holy Spirit). There is a reason why Jesus said that God will send the Holy Spirit, to all those who believe, for a good reason . .to help them know God more, by seeing and understanding His word. The Holy Spirit WILL help you understand the Bible, God's word . . His way, and not man's.

WARNING: Many believers, who think that saying they are a Christians, but don't allow God's gift of the Holy Spirit, to lead them to the truth, God's way, will not quite understand (feel kinda confused and disconnected) God's word, when they read the Bible. A person can't be a Christian, if they just SAY the are, and don't really believe in God, by believing and confessing that Jesus is Lord, and Savior. A Christian can prove to others they truly are with God, when he/she lives by God's word . .living by what they say AND do, not just by what they say or do, for faith without works, or works without faith, will not be approved by God. To please God and be made right with His eyes, a Christian will do both. If a Christian truly has faith, they will live what what they believe, by doing it, and not just saying or preaching it. Jesus even proved this by saying: "Faith without works (good deeds), is dead."

When I just became a Christian, I started reading the Bible, from the beginning. As time went on, when I was troubled (for I was very weak when I started out as one), and needed to seek answers from God right away (when I did not really read the entire Bible yet), I would ask God to lead me to the truth, by directing me to the answer, in the Bible. And, every time I did (thrist for the truth), God opened my eyes and my heart, to "see" the truth, thru His wisdom, and not by man's. Jesus even said, "Seek and you shall find." If you truly want to see the truth, from God's view (and not man's), allow His gift of the Holy Spirit, to guide you to truth that you are seeking and the Spirit will help you understand God's word, in the Bible.

"For those who thrist for truth, will be fullfilled."

Remember, that man can not live by their own understanding/knowledge by earning a living on money, food, and/ or shelter . . live Life, but by God's word, alone. When you live to serve God (for Christ), and not the world (for money), He WILL provide for all your (basic) needs.

But, know, that if you choose to truly live for Christ, you will suffer for being loyal to God, for the world will hate you (for the world belongs to Satan, the devil . .God's enemy) But its better to suffer for doing what is good and right, for God, than to live in sin, by doing what the world does.

Don't give up hope, for there is a way: God's: If you believe that God's son, Jesus Christ, has overcome the sins of the world, Jesus WILL help us, Christians, overcome sin, from this world, when we allow Him to be in control of everything in our lives, when living in this world.

All we need to do is: Believe God's word (believe in only what the Bible says), is the truth, and live by it. As Christians, our only testimony to the world, is our lives (living by what God says in Bible), that God exists and lives in us.

Answer 2

I've had this same problem. I think a good place to start might be from the beginning. It helps some people. Or maybe you can start w/ Romans, Colossians, or Philippians. I happen to love Philippians...

But before you read, pray. Reconnect yourself w/ God, you'll feel so much better, and then you'll feel at rights w/ reading His word.

Sometimes, when I haven't read my Bible or prayed in a while (b/c of my own stupidity) I feel like I shouldn't even be reading the Word. Like, "what am I doing? if I can't act like a Christian, why bother reading this?"
Don't let that thinking get to you, that's the enemy.

God bless you.

Answer 3

There are many discipleship Bible studies you can get at the Lifeway book store for just a few bucks that really help you focus.
One of the best I have seen is "Life in Christ: A Manuel for Disciples" by Tony Salerno. You may have to order it. Printed by Bethany House. Its big, about 300 pages (about $12). It will keep you busy for a while. When you finish it-you will be back on track. There are many smaller studies.

Answer 4

Remember it is a relationship, and needs to be treated like one. Start in asking God to make his word alive to you, I like the drop and flop method,,,, ask God to give you his word for your life for the day, (drop the bible on its back and what ever it flops open to) read, I still do that, and some of the most learning times I have ever had have come through this. (PS. Your pastor or other, would probably talk this down,) Just remember that the word of God is alive. Let God lead your studies.

Answer 5

Hi!!! God said he would never leave you or forsake you so when you pray he is their. To get back to reading just asked the Lord what to read. Now don't just read but begin to study the word. Get a good cross reference bible. When you read one scripture you go to others to open up the meaning. This helps you read all around the bible. If you get anything out of what I said. I thing God real wants you to study and not just read.

Answer 6

I'm a big believer in not reading something just once - and reading it in one sitting, if at all possible. For that reason I would recommend one of the smaller books, and read it through every day for the a month.

I would recommend 2nd Timothy. It was Paul's last letter to Timothy, written shortly before he died - and he knew he was about to die and wouldn't get another chance to write to the young man he had mentored. Paul put in just those things he felt Timothy needed to know.

It's fairly short - easily read in 30 minutes. Read it every day for a month.

Answer 7

I would suggest you read the book of Ephesians. I once studied it for 5 months, just reading it every day. In the first three chapters it tells you how much Jesus loves you and what He has done for you and wants to do for you; and then in the next chapters tells you how to live and be strong in the Lord.

You might find some more help reading this blog:
http://blog.360.yahoo.com/blog-6BOVXXkhcqh8fhnycMvIWvmoG6ol?p=5

Answer 8

When I pick up the Bible, I ask the Lord to give me a blessing before I open it. It is amazing how He reveals answers to my questions, comforts to my hurt, and even chastises me when I need it. I get so blessed from opening scripture. You can really develop a relationship with the Lord from reading scripture. The best thing is, whatever page you open to you WILL be blessed, I promise!

Answer 9

Contact your church or another church you admire and ask about their bible studies. Get in some bibles studies. They are so interesting. My friend and I go to one about every night. We go to a Baptist one, a Lutheran one, and use to a Methodist one until I saw how they were tolerating the abomination that some people are into. So we left it. I really like the Baptist one that is teaching Revelation. It is very very good. But find out about the bible studies you can get into.

Answer 10

I recommend a book by Michael Horton, Putting Amazing Back into Grace. It will open up the scriptures by showing God's plan throughout - from Genesis to Revelation. Good luck!

Ath

Answer 11

The Seventh Day Adventists offer a number of "bible studies" most of which are free. they mostly present truth. I find that the best way to study is to ask the Scriptures a question. YHVH said come, let us reason together. (I think He meant it.)