What Should Someone Read After The Gospels And Acts
The suggested order below is for each readers consideration. Whats most important is not necessarily the exact order in which the books are read, but establishing a daily habit of Bible reading.
- James: The Gospels and Acts are narratives. However, most of the New Testament books are epistles or letters. James is a great introduction to reading letters because its easy to understand and its only five chapters long.
- Ruth: Ruth is in the Old Testament. At only four chapters in length, its a great way to get a taste of Old Testament narratives. Ruth and Boaz are shining examples of faithfulness to God and each other.
- Romans: Considered one of the greatest pieces of literature ever written , Romans teaches about beliefs that are central to the Christian faith. Some readers may have to read these chapters a little slower than normal or re-read certain passages to ensure they are absorbing all of what Paul says about Jesus and what it means for people.
- Genesis: Though Genesis is one of the longest books in the Bible, readers love its stories. The first quarter of the book teaches about the origins of the universe, Earth, people, families, work, and sin. The remaining portion of the book tells readers about the origins of the nation of Israel.
- Ephesians: Ephesians is a letter that the Apostle Paul wrote to Christians in the town of Ephesus. Its message is positive, uplifting, and edifying. One of its best-known passages is about spiritual warfare.
What Version Of The Bible To Read The First Time
I read most often from the New International Version. Its a great translation and I also like the New Living Translationits very conversational in its one which makes it great for longer passages!
You can check out a review of one my current favorite Bible: The She Reads Truth Bible
Beginning reading the Bible for the first time is really intimidating, but knowing where to start helps tremendously. I always encourage people to read with a journal in hand so they can jot down thoughts, questions, verses that stand out, and prayers as they read the Word.
To learn more about studying the Bible check out these articles and be sure to grab your FREE BIBLE STUDY WORKSHEETS to help guide you through your Bible reading.
Find Ways To Make Daily Bible Reading Fun
Im guessing you dont have to find ways to motivate yourself to sleep in, eat chocolate cake, watch TV, scroll social media, or visit your favorite websites for Christian Women, blogs for Christian women, Christian Youtube Channels, and Christian podcasts. After all, these things are fun and enjoyable!
So why not find easy ways to make learning how to read the Bible daily more fun or and meaningful as well? I have an entire chapter in my book, Fall in Love with Gods Word: Practical Strategies for Busy Women full of ways to do this.
Here are a few ideas:
- Choose an easier translation
- Listen to an audio Bible while shopping
- Read the Bible with friends
- Read the Bible alongside a great daily Bible study or devotional
- Go to a coffee shop and order your favorite snack and hot beverage
Sure, you can try to rely on willpower and force yourself to learn how to start reading the Bible daily, but if you dont enjoy your time in Gods Word, you arent likely to stick with it. Instead, look for ways to make reading the Scriptures daily fun and enjoyable!
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The Beginners Guide: How To Read The Bible For Beginners
Reading the Bible on your own can be intimidating. Where do you even start?
Reading the Bible on your own can be intimidating. Where does one even begin?
Do you start at the beginning and read straight through to the end? Should you jump around and read whatever strikes your fancy?
Is there a version of the Bible thats better than another version?
Speaking of versions, how many versions are there and what is the difference?
But reading and studying the Bible is an important part of every believers life and is one of the core spiritual disciplines.
Today Ill address the most common questions that beginners have about the Bible and how to read it.
Keep Track Of Your Bible Reading
Its good to keep track of what youve read, and there are many ways to do so. You can mark the date you finish a chapter or book in your physical Bible. You can check off each book in the table of contents as you read it. You can also tally the number of times youve read the entire Old and New Testaments.
Keeping track of our progress encourages us in developing a Bible reading habit. For example, you may think youre going too slowly if you read one chapter per day. But youll finish the whole New Testament in less than a year by reading just one chapter every day. After five years, you might look at your record and find youve read through the New Testament seven times! Seeing this kind of progress encourages us to continue on.
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God’s People Will Include All Nations
56 The Lord says to his people, Do what is just and right, for soon I will save you. 2 I will bless those who always observe the Sabbath and do not misuse it. I will bless those who do nothing evil.
3 A foreigner who has joined the Lord’s people should not say, The Lord will not let me worship with his people.
A man who has been castrated should never think that because he cannot have children, he can never be part of God’s people. 4 The Lord says to such a man, If you honor me by observing the Sabbath and if you do what pleases me and faithfully keep my covenant, 5 then your name will be remembered in my Temple and among my people longer than if you had sons and daughters. You will never be forgotten.
6 And the Lord says to those foreigners who become part of his people, who love him and serve him, who observe the Sabbath and faithfully keep his covenant: 7 I will bring you to Zion, my sacred hill, give you joy in my house of prayer, and accept the sacrifices you offer on my altar. My Temple will be called a house of prayer for the people of all nations.
8 The Sovereign Lord, who has brought his people Israel home from exile, has promised that he will bring still other people to join them.
Have An Accountability Partner
Having an accountability partner is incredibly helpful with keeping you on track.
If you dont know what an accountability partner is, its basically when you ask someone to check in with you on a regular basis. This person is someone wholl be asking you, whether weekly or daily, if youre staying on track.
Basically, they keep you accountable.
Theres something about having someone ask us if were keeping up with our plan. It motivates us and makes us want to make sure we have things in order.
What do you think? Do you feel more confident with forming this habit? Let me know in the comments below.
Remember:
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The Gospels: Where To Begin Studying The Bible For Beginners
From as early as Genesis God promised He would send someone to save the people from their sins. The events that fulfilled that promise the birth of Jesus, His sinless life, His nature as the Son of God, His death and resurrection those events have been woven into one main truth that we call the gospel. Youll find them in the first four books of the New Testament Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John which we also refer to as the gospels.
To put it simply, the gospel changes everything for Christians. It is the grace that carries us. If you want to learn more about the gospel and why it matters, or what Jesus life was like how He lived, what He taught, and how that impacted the world start by studying the Gospels. If you have to choose just one, I recommend John. Its the most in-depth compilation of who Jesus is and the difference His life makes for you and I. Tons of Bible study lessons to learn from there!
What The Bible Is
The Bible is unlike any other book. So, before we directly address how to start reading the Bible, its helpful to discuss exactly what it is.
The Bible is the message of God and the story of God. Its the primary way that God communicates with us, and its the best way to get to know Him. The Bibles authors are people God gave them His inspired thoughts, and they wrote them in their own words.
The central purpose of the Bible is to help us know God its a relationship tool. This results in our personal transformation, as it restores the loving character of God in us. The Bible has several secondary purposes, as well, including these:
- TeachingThe Bible is chock full of stories and wise counsel that teach us how to live. It can be considered a users manual for life.
- EncouragementThroughout the Bible, were reminded that God loves us, He created us for a good purpose, and He is always with us.
- HopeThe Bible contains promises and prophecies that tell us that each one of us can choose resurrection and eternal life, a life in the New Earth, where there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.
- PerspectiveThe Bible presents a sweeping picture of time and space, reminding us that theres so much moreand so much betterthan our current circumstances.
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Where Is A Good Place To Start Reading The Bible
What part of the Bible should I study first? The short answer is that there is no wrong answer. There are portions of the Bible that are easier to read, but just because they are easier doesnt mean you have to start there. The easier route isnt always the best route. So although there isnt any harm in starting with the shorter texts like Jonah, Ruth, Jude, or Obadiah dont feel like you have to start there. You dont even have to have a Bible study plan.
When Im answering the question, what book of the Bible should I read first? There are three questions I ask that when answered can help determine where to begin studying the Bible.
NOTE: If youre wondering, where to start studying the Bible for couples, these answers apply to you too! The basics of Christian living apply to singles and couples alike. We all need a firm foundation. So keep reading to learn how to study the Bible for yourself.
How To Start Reading Your Bible
Brad Archer
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
There used to be long periods when I would never open my Bible outside of church. When I finally made myself sit down with Gods Word, guilt drove me into it for hours on end. There is great benefit from long times in the Word, but shame does not motivate consistency.
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Think Purposeful And Planned
I failed for a long time because I waited to decide what to read until right before I started. This stole time from actual Scripture reading and made me anxious, which decimated my focus.
A simple plan can alleviate this problem. One idea is to pick a book of the Bible and read through it. Any of the Gospels are a wonderful start for those who are developing regular Bible reading, Mark or John especially. Next, I recommend shorter books, like 1, 2, and 3 John. Completing them gives a sense of accomplishment that energizes Bible time.
Move on to bigger books, like Romans, Ephesians, or 1 and 2 Peter. For Old Testament suggestions, start with Genesis, then Joshua and Judges, then Ruth and Esther these are books bursting with engaging stories and action.
All of these books are accessible and packed with deep spiritual truths. Most importantly, they familiarize you with reading every day.
While you are new to regular Bible reading, it is possible that some of the other books will unintentionally discourage you from your daily practice. For example:
Any worthwhile habit and goal is worth breaking into attainable steps, and this goal is one of the most important to our lives. After you have established daily time with the Lord through his Word, the entirety of the Bible is not only open and available, but should become a goal, itself.
Friends Partners And Lovers: What It Takes To Make Your Marriage Work
Most marriages survive by gritting teeth and holding on. But marriages can and will not only survive but thrive when husbands and wives learn to cherish one another. Those are the powerful words of bestselling author Gary Thomas in his newest bookCherish. And in a world desperate for marriage redemption, it is needed now more than ever. Thomas shows that although there are a countless number of marriages consisting of two people just going through the motions, there are real ways this pattern can be reversed: when husbands and wives learn to cherish one another in proven, loving, and everyday actions and words.
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Will you pray for the pre-born and moms that are facing unexpected pregnancies? We will send you a 7-day prayer guide that will help guide you along this journey with us!! You can even choose to receive this great resource by text!
Newest Release Episode 4: Sometimes the Choice is Hard
Yes, I Promise to Pray for the Pre-born and Their Moms!
Newest Release Episode 3: The Power of a Picture
Yes, I Promise to Pray for the Pre-born and Their Moms!
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Genesis: Where It All Began
In the Old Testament, Genesis, which means origin, is a good starting point too. Reading this narrative about the beginning of the world, how sin came to be and the impact it had on the world, gives us a reference point to start understanding the context of the New Testament.
Many famous Bible stories like Adam and Eve, Noahs ark, and the story of Joseph are found in Genesis.
Introduction to the book: The Book of Genesis tells us how everything began from humanitys history to become the world we know today. It reveals a dramatic prologue of Gods love for us, the tragedies of sin and the human race, and God initiating a brilliant plan to win us back from the clutches of darkness.
He does this by passing down a covenant blessing through Abraham and his family, including Isaac, Jacob, and other individuals, in order to bless all the families of the earth.
These descendants will become the foundation for the nation of Israel and Jesus the Messiah, who brings salvation for all of humanity.
Facts About The Bible
- The Bible is split into two sections: the Old Testament & the New Testament.
- There are 66 books total. 39 in the Old. 27 in the New.
- The original language of the Old Testament was Hebrew and the New Testament Greek!
- The Bible was written by about 40 different people of different times & backgrounds.
- These people were used by the Holy Spirit to write all these words to use to lead us to God and through this life!
Okay I want to share a little more about the first fact because that was the biggest mind altering subject I dove into when I started reading the Bible.
God is the same throughout the entire Bible. You may be thinking Then why was He so violent in the Old Testament?
That is a deep question I am not going to answer today BUT we can still get more understanding of the differences.
In general, the Old Testament is more stories & the New Testament is more direct teachings.
The Old Testament can be more difficult to apply to your everyday life because it isnt as direct and when looking at context we realize many of those Old Testament laws dont apply to us after the cross.
BUT it is still important to study!
You know why?
Because you learn more about WHO God is throughout the entire Bible. You cant pick and choose what to focus on.
I dont recommend ONLY spending time studying the New Testament.
I am not saying to ONLY study the Old Testament either.
I believe you need to find a balance because God will use both sections to teach and lead you.
Like when
Thank you!
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Why You Shouldnt Start From The Beginning
Conventional wisdom tells us when we pick up a book to start at the beginning. Its how you read a book, from front to back. But the Bible is different. And I think its best to NOT start in the beginning.
Now, Im not saying you shouldnt read the beginning of the Bible. You should. In fact, I think you should eventually read the whole Bible. Just not at first.
Why?
Well for starters, the Bible isnt a single book. Its a collection of 66 books written over sixteen centuries by over forty authors. It is a diverse collection with different styles, unique voices, different purposes, and incredible stories.
Because the Bible is a compilation of books I think its best to start with some of the most central books in this collection. That way you can get a proper framework to engage with the rest of scripture.
So, where to start reading the Bible? Lets take a look.
Again, if you dont have a good basis of what the Bible is and how to read it check out some of the blog posts Ive written on it. You can find more under the category How To Read The Bible