By: Melanie Moore
Do you want to begin to study the Bible but are unsure of where to start? I’m so excited that you are interested in digging into God’s Word! I know that because the Bible is a very large book, it can be very intimidating to new readers. Here are some ideas and tips that I hope will help you as you start to read and study the Bible!1. Read it through front to back or chronologically
One way to begin to read the Bible is to simply read it from cover to cover, starting at Genesis and reading to Revelation. Another way to read the Bible is to purchase a “Chronological” Bible which arranges the text in the order that the events actually occurred. This has been helpful for me to understand the timeline of events in the Bible. Both of these ideas help you understand the overall “big picture” story of the Bible and how all the events in the Bible point to Jesus and God’s beautiful plan of redemption.
2. Start with one book
If reading the entire Bible cover to cover seems too intimidating, I would recommend just starting with one book! The Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) are all wonderful books to start with, and it’s very exciting to see and hear Jesus in these books! You’ll be able to experience His teachings and miracles, and it is a wonderful way to get to know who Jesus is.
3. Use Bible Studies, maps, podcasts, etc. as supplements
We are so fortunate that so many wonderful Bible study tools are available to us – and many are free online! I really enjoy using BibleGateway.com as a learning resource. There are also many different podcasts, maps, and Bible Studies available to help you understand the Word of God. I encourage you to supplement, but never replace, your own Bible reading with these great tools.
4. Pick a topic and study verses related to that topic
Another great way to start reading the Bible is to pick a topic that you are interested in or have questions about, and do some investigation into what the Bible has to say on that topic. Perhaps the topic is Forgiveness, Giving, or Prayer. Studying a specific topic in the Bible will help you gain exposure to many books of the Bible and deepen your understanding of God’s view on the topic you are studying.
5. Pray and ask God to help you understand
Most importantly, when you start to read the Bible, pray
that God will open your heart to help you understand what you read. I believe
that when we seek Him with our whole hearts, God is faithful to empower us to
know Him.
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” ~ Psalm 119:105
What other tips would you add to the list for a new reader of the Bible? What questions do you have about Bible study? I pray many blessings on your life as you seek to know God and that our hearts would become more like Him each day.
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