Followers of Jesus need to be in the Bible every day. We are told regularly to read The Bible. What should we read? How do we read the Bible? Where to begin can be overwhelming. If you’ve been a Christian for a long time, you may wonder what to read next. Maybe you want to study in a different way.
Thank God that the Bible has never ending wisdom and knowledge to gain. Just because you’ve read it all the way through many times, does not mean you’ve got it all figured out. That is impossible. We will be seeking truth in God’s Holy Word the rest of our lives. There is always something new to learn regardless of how learned we are. God will never stop revealing Himself in His Word.
Some Bible Basics:
There are 66 books of the Bible compiled into one volume with two sections, the Old Testament and the New Testament.
Old Testament
Law
Genesis
Exodus
Leviticus
Numbers
Deuteronomy
History
Joshua
Judges
Ruth
1 & 2 Samuel
1 & 2 Kings
1 & 2 Chronicles
Ezra
Nehemiah
Esther
Poetry
Job
Psalms
Proverbs
Ecclesiastes
Song of Songs
Prophecy
Isaiah
Jeremiah
Lamentations
Ezekiel
Daniel
Hosea
Joel
Amos
Obadiah
Jonah
Micah
Nahum
Habakkuk
Zephaniah
Haggai
Zachariah
Malachi
New Testament
Jesus
Matthew
Mark
Luke
John
History
Acts
Letters
Romans
1 & 2 Corinthians
Galatians
Ephesians
Philippians
Colossians
1 & 2 Thessalonians
1 & 2 Timothy
Titus
Philemon
Hebrews
James
1 & 2 Peter
1,2,3 John
Jude
End Times
Revelation
The Bible is about relationships.The Old Testament is about God’s relationship to His chosen people, Israel. The New Testament is about God’s relationship to the world through Jesus Christ.
The Bible has one theme. God’s passionate pursuit of a rebellious people.
When reading the Bible follow these steps.
1. Rely on the Holy Spirit. We cannot properly read and understand God’s Word without the Holy Spirit. Ask God what He wants to teach you today. Thank Him for who He is and humble yourself before the Lord.
17 even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you. John 14:17, ESV
25 “These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. 26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. John 14:25-26, ESV
26 “But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me. John 15:26, ESV
2. Engage in a passage. Choose a book of the Bible to complete. Start in The New Testament with John, or any of the four Gospels. Or, start with a short book like Philippians or James.
Use the four “C‘s”
Chief people – Who is writing, receiving, or any other important names.
Challenges – What words, phrases or sentences don’t you understand. Underline them and write them down in a notebook.
Crucial Words – What words or phrases are repeated? Any comparisons/contrasts?
Cool Verse – What verse summarizes your study for the week? Underline that verse and memorize it.
3. Ask: Who is God? As you read through the verses look for any reference to God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Look for His name, personal pronouns or His activities. Underline them.
Fill in the blank:
God is ___________
God _____________
4. Dialogue with God. Talk with Him. Pray.
Do I believe this about you? Why?
What truth do I need to remember about you?
What are you doing that I need to be a part of?
How does what I read apply to me? In my relationships, work, school, etc.
Do I have unconfessed sin? Or areas of unbelief?
Rely
Engage
Ask
Diaologue
This is a very basic breakdown of the books of the Bible and how to read it. This does not cover every thought, or idea on the Bible and Bible study. It’s simply a starting point. Most of this information came from a handout I received from my church years ago.
You will need a Bible that you can write in and highlight. Don’t be afraid to write in the Bible. Also, a notebook can be quite helpful to write down thoughts, questions, or what God spoke to you.
There are many versions of the Bible. I will not go into detail, in this post, on Bible translations. There are three main versions:
Word-for-word: NASB, ESV, NET, KJV, NKJV
Thought-for-thought: CSB, NIV, NLT
Paraphrase: NIRV, MSG, GNT,
That’s not every translation. There are numerous ones. I like to use several. My favorite is my old, beat up, 1978 New International Version. It was my Mom’s when she was a brand new Believer.
I pray you will pick up your Bible today and read it. Hopefully with new eyes and new passion. It’s the most exciting book you will ever read.
12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Hebrews 4:12, ESV
Love you all,
Meghan
Meghan E White 