I rounded the corner and saw her. She stood frozen, open-mouthed in front of the rows of Bibles in the religion section 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 start.
Scores of people feel overwhelmed when it comes to reading the Bible. Maybe, even now, you’re shaking your head in agreement, thinking, Yes. That’s me.
My new friend looked visibly relieved when I asked if she’d like help choosing a Bible. She looked even more relieved when I showed her where and how to start reading.
May I reach across the computer screen and help you, too?
These are my top suggestions for beginners to the Bible:
Table of contents
1. Choose a Bible version that’s understandable and easy to read.
Here’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 earliest translations to English was the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible, but today we have a variety of versions to choose from. Some translations focus on being more precise and are best for Bible study, while others focus on readability and are great 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 still being literal in its translation; the Study Bibles contain footnotes that explain difficult to understand passages of Scripture.
You can also download a Bible app or read the Bible at biblestudytools.com. These are great tools for beginners and veterans alike.
2. You don’t have to start at the beginning.
The Bible contains 66 separate books compiled into one book. The 39 books of the Old Testament are the story of God and his people before the coming of the Messiah—Jesus. The 27 books of the New Testament pick up the story beginning with the birth of Jesus.
If you’re new to the Bible, the best place to start is the Gospel of John. This book (the fourth book in the New Testament) is John’s eyewitness account of the life of Jesus. As one of Jesus’ closest disciples, John’s 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 you’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 chapter, perhaps.
If you read one chapter of John a day, (which will take no more than 5-10 minutes) you’ll read John in it’s entirety in 21 days.
After reading John, move on to the other gospels – Matthew, Mark or Luke. Next read Philippians, Ephesians and Colossians, which provide practical encouragement and instruction 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 season of life.
Work your way through one book at a time, and you’ll never find yourself fumbling for where to read again.
4. Read a little every day.
Getting God’s Word into your life doesn’t have to take long. Start small—five or 10 minutes is better than none. Sometimes less is more, especially when reading less means you’ll actually remember more.
Chose a time and place that’s convenient for you. 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. That you read God’s Word is more important than when you read God’s Word. Personally, I love to read my Bible at a local coffee shop, but I once read through the entire Bible while waiting in carpool lines.
5. Pray before you begin.
Pause before you open your Bible and ask God to speak to you. Remember, the Bible is God’s Word; it is God’s love letter written to His people, which includes you.
Ask God to help you understand His Word. Ask God use His Word to teach you, to direct you and even to re-direct you, when necessary. Ask Him to use His Word to help you know Him and love Him.
Jeremiah 29:13 says, “You will seek me and find Me, if you seek Me with all your heart.” 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 find one or two verses that seem to leap off the page. Maybe they speak to an issue you’ve been grappling with; maybe they answer a long held question; maybe they give you comfort or encouragement; maybe they provide an example to follow or avoid.
When a verse resonates with you, stop and write it down, word for word. Pause to let the message sink in because these words are God’s words to you.
This practice has cemented God’s Word into my thoughts in countless ways. Sometimes I keep the verse with me throughout the day. Sometimes I ask God to help me remember it when I need it. Sometimes I memorize it. Be intentional about getting God’s Word into your thoughts and you’ll soon see your relationship with God thrive and your life change.
The Bible was never meant to merely inform us; the Bible was meant to transform us.
It’s been years since I encountered the gal at Barnes and Noble but when I think 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.
Donna Jones is a national speaker who travels from coast to coast helping women find and follow God in real, everyday life. She’s the author of Seek: A Woman’s Guide to Meeting God, Taming Your Family Zoo and Raising Kids with Good Manners. She resides in southern California with her pastor hubby and their three kids. She loves a good cup of coffee, great conversation and laughing until her sides hurt. For more on her books, ministry or free resources, visit Donna at www.donnajones.org.
Photo courtesy: Thinkstockphotos.com
Publication date: January 19, 2017
www.crosswalk.com
This lesson is part of Mel Lawrenz’ “How to Study the Bible” series. If you know someone or a group who would like to follow along on this journey through Scripture, they can get more info and sign up to receive these essays via email here.
Mel Lawrenz is away this week. “How to Study the Bible” resumes next week.
Below are two prayers that may be helpful in your pattern of reading and studying Scripture. And here is a sermon Mel Lawrenz gave a few days ago about how to make prayer a practical pattern in real life…
Real Prayer from Elmbrook Church on Vimeo.
A Prayer Before Reading Scripture
Open my eyes, gracious Lord, as I turn to your word.
I long to know you, to understand life, and to be changed.
Examine me, Lord, by the floodlight of your truth.
Amen.
A Prayer After Reading Scripture
May the word I have read, Lord, be planted deeply in my mind and heart.
Help me not to walk away and forget it, but to meditate on it and obey it
and so built my life on the rock of your truth.
Amen.
(Both prayers are taken from the 95 prayers in Prayers for Our Lives.)
Mel Lawrenz trains an international network of Christian leaders, ministry pioneers, and thought-leaders. He served as senior pastor of Elmbrook Church in Brookfield, Wisconsin, for ten years and now serves as Elmbrook’s minister at large. He has a Ph.D. in the history of Christian thought and is on the adjunct faculty of Trinity International University. Mel is the author of 18 books, the latest, How to Understand the Bible—A Simple Guide and Spiritual Influence: the Hidden Power Behind Leadership (Zondervan, 2012). See more of Mel’s writing at WordWay.
www.biblegateway.com
