Help me read the Bible

Ways a new Bible reader can complete their first read through the Bible

Q: I need help reading the Bible. I can never seem to get very far. Any helpful tips or advice?

A: Yes. Happy to help 😀

 It can seem daunting to try and tackle the whole Bible. It is 1 book, but is also a library of 66 books - given to us by God. A Special Revelation to mankind. 

If you have been in a Bible Church for any length of time and in Sunday School, you have been exposed to many general historical stories in the Bible. Old and New Testament. This can make reading the Bible a bit easier.

If you have a hard time reading or just don't know where to start, or have tried starting in Genesis but had a hard time sticking with it, this can be a good way to ease into the habit of daily reading Scripture for life.

Ease into a full cover to cover reading....

1. Start reading Genesis 1-11, Romans, then Gospel of John, Ephesians, Galatians, 1st John, & Colossians.  Then, read the Gospels: Mark, Matthew, Luke, and John. 

2. Then do a simple quick read through the Bible "only 'just' reading the bold headers" of each section (page by page; Gen to Rev.).

3. After that read just the "intro to" each book in the Bible. A good study Bible has those. If yours does not then go HERE. This gives a summary page and pairs a sermon that introduces every book briefly. It can add an additional benefit to go through that. 

>> the intro will tell you a summary of:

* Who God used to write that book

* Theme summary of the book

* A key or few key verses (which I encourage you to look up also when you are reading that introduction page). 

And more.

4. You could go through these Resources next for reading and studying those initial books (in section 1) above, as well as guidance on diving more into every book. 

5.  Next, do a 40 day intro plan to the Bible.

6. Then crack open the Bible and tackle one book at a time from Genesis to Revelation. 🙂

✨️You can use an audio Bible to help you listen as you read along.

Reading, looking up, & write questions 

●You can read a section/story once, then read it again-with the "study notes".  

●Then think about it & take notes:

○What is the Context & Historical Background?

Understanding the historical and cultural context of the passages can illuminate their meanings. What was happening at the time of the writing? Who were the original audiences?

* (This is where the into page, summary helps, and your Study Bible notes, as well as sermon series will help you). 

○What is the Literary Style?

The Bible includes various genres—poetry, narrative, history, prophecy, parables, Gospels, teaching, epistles, etc. Pay attention to the style and structure of the text to grasp its nuances.

This explains on those 

Think about and write: 

○What it is saying. 

○What it says about God

○Is it pointing to Jesus 

○What is it saying about sin or righteousness

○What application it can have for you both towards God and in living holy (related to your new nature; think righteousness, moral, fruit of the Spirit). 

●Write questions down; 

>>to look up at the "intro faq" section above, and at GotQuestions.org, and others to ask your Sunday School teacher on Sunday (or by email). 

●Think about the story during the day. Maybe set an alarm on your phone for once before lunch, and once after lunch, to meditate on it, thinking about it for a couple minutes & have a short prayer to God.  

●Maybe reread and review it after/at lunch.

●At night after work, maybe play the dramatized version of that portion you studied today, to wrap up your day, and set it in your mind a bit better. 

7. After you read through Bible 2 or 3 times then you are ready to pair it with a deep dive study of each book.

This section of the Believers Resources can help you in that area, and with lots of other beneficial helps. And a has a reputable audio bible link.🙂

Once you complete the full read of the Bible, open it up and start all over again (reading it cover to cover). This begins your daily time in the Word for life.

God communicates with you through the Bible, and we confirm to it, submit to it, apply it and live it out as we grow and mature in the faith. God guides and helps us daily, so read it before breakfast every day. 

God bless!✝️

 * bookmark this page so you can go through this in the coming weeks and month.

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Fun fact: Jesus is the theme of the Bible

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