Best Way to Read the New Testament
I rounded the corner and saw her. She stood frozen, open-mouthed in front of the rows of Bibles in the faith department at Barnes and Noble. She wanted to read the Bible; she hadn't known there would be so many options.
Her facial expression said it all: I have no idea where to kickoff reading the Bible.
Scores of people feel overwhelmed when information technology comes to reading the Bible. Maybe, fifty-fifty now, you lot're shaking your caput in understanding, thinking, Yes. That's me. How in the world do I know where to start reading and making sense of the entire Bible?
My new friend looked visibly relieved when I asked if she'd like help choosing a Bible. She looked fifty-fifty more relieved when I showed her where and how to get-go reading the Bible.
May I reach beyond the computer screen and help you, too? These are my top suggestions for those wondering how to start reading the Bible. It is my prayer that this beginner's guide to reading the Bible volition encourage you and help you lot reach your goals! These half dozen simple steps volition help y'all start to read the Bible today.
1. Cull a Bible version that'south understandable and like shooting fish in a barrel to read.
Hither's the flat out truth: If we don't understand it, we won't read it.
The Bible was originally written in Hebrew and Greek. One of the primeval translations to English language was the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible, merely today we have a variety of versions to choose from. Some translations focus on being more precise and are all-time for Bible study, while others focus on readability and are peachy for devotions.
If you're a beginner, I recommend the New Living Translation (NLT), or a study Bible in the English Standard Version (ESV) or New International Version (NIV). The NLT version of the Bible is most readable while nevertheless being literal in its translation; the Study Bibles contain footnotes that explicate difficult to sympathize passages of Scripture.
You lot tin besides download a Bible app or read the Bible at biblestudytools.com. These are great tools for beginners and veterans alike.
One of the best places to start is in John and then Romans, following John. Download our Complimentary Prayer Guide for Romans to aid you navigate through one of the most popular New Testament books.
2. You don't accept to start at the beginning of the Bible.
The Bible contains 66 separate books compiled into 1 book. The 39 books of the Onetime Testament are the story of God and his people before the coming of the Messiah—Jesus. The 27 books of the New Testament pick upward the story beginning with the birth of Jesus.
If you're new to the Bible, the all-time place to commencement is the Gospel of John. This volume (the 4th book in the New Testament) is John'due south eyewitness account of the life of Jesus. Every bit 1 of Jesus' closest disciples, John'south account is both riveting and informative.
John's purpose in writing is to help us believe, making it the ideal place to start. "These things were written to help you believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name"(John 20:31).
3. Pick a book of the Bible and work your way through it.
If you're anything like me, you need a Bible reading plan or y'all'll waste precious minutes thumbing through the Bible, never quite landing. So pick one book of the Bible and read a little each day, one affiliate, peradventure.
If y'all read 1 affiliate of John a day, (which will take no more than 5-ten minutes) you'll read John in it's entirety in 21 days.
After reading John, motility on to the other gospels – Matthew, Mark or Luke. Next read Philippians, Ephesians and Colossians, which provide practical encouragement and pedagogy for living the Christian life. Romans is jam-packed with essential doctrine. Genesis explains how everything began. Psalms is filled with heartfelt prayers that offer encouragement for every flavor of life.
Work your way through one book at a time, and yous'll never detect yourself fumbling for where to read once again.
4. How to read the Bible: Read a little every day!
Getting God'southward Word into your life doesn't have to take long. Start pocket-size—five or 10 minutes is better than none. Sometimes less is more, especially when reading less means you'll actually recall more.
Chose a time and place that's convenient for you lot. Many people read their Bible first thing in the morning, choosing to spend time with God before daily distractions get in the way. But if mornings aren't your thing, don't sweat it. Thatyous read God's Give-and-take is more of import than wheny'all read God'due south Discussion. Personally, I dear to read my Bible at a local coffee shop, but I once read through the entire Bible while waiting in carpool lines.
5. How to read the Bible: Pray earlier you lot begin.
Suspension before you open your Bible and ask God to speak to you. Retrieve, the Bible is God'south Word; it is God'south love alphabetic character written to His people, which includes you lot.
Ask God to assistance yous understand His Word. Ask God utilise His Word to teach yous, to straight you and even to re-direct yous, when necessary. Ask Him to utilise His Give-and-take to help you know Him and love Him.
Jeremiah 29:13 says, "Y'all volition seek me and find Me, if you seek Me with all your centre." God loves to reveal himself to those who seek Him.
6. Write it down.
As you read the Bible ask two questions:
- What does this teach me about God?
- What does this teach me about how I should live?
No doubt, as you read you'll observe one or two verses that seem to leap off the page. Mayhap they speak to an issue yous've been grappling with; possibly they answer a long held question; perchance they requite y'all comfort or encouragement; maybe they provide an example to follow or avert.
When a poetry resonates with you, terminate and write it downwards, word for give-and-take. Pause to permit the bulletin sink in considering these words are God'swords to you.
This practice has cemented God's Give-and-take into my thoughts in countless ways. Sometimes I keep the verse with me throughout the solar day. Sometimes I enquire God to help me recollect it when I demand it. Sometimes I memorize information technology. Exist intentional most getting God's Word into your thoughts and you'll before long see your relationship with God thrive and your life change. After all, isn't that the whole signal of reading the Bible!
The Bible was never meant to simply inform us; the Bible was meant to transform united states of america.
It'south been years since I encountered the gal at Barnes and Noble only when I remember of her, I smile. Her story is our story. We all begin somewhere in our relationship with God.
And we all need someone to show us how. Let u.s. know in the comments below how you've been able to begin reading the Bible and what is has done for you!
Photo courtesy: Oladimeji Ajegbile/Pexels
Source: https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/bible-study/the-beginner-s-guide-to-reading-the-bible.html