Where Should We Start Reading the Bible?
- Melissa Henderson Contributing Writer
- Updated Feb 12, 2024
Scripture is the Word of God shared through various translations, versions, chronologically, and more. Daily devotion readings allow us to learn more about the message of God and His love, mercy, and forgiveness. How do we know where to start reading the Bible?
Different Ways to Read the Bible
Some people choose to read the Bible from cover to cover, while others choose to read chronologically. Another way is to read the entire Old Testament and then move to the New Testament. A verse or a book a day are other ways to read Scripture. Bible study classes and programs are offered throughout the year. A class may focus on one book of the Bible or study several books during the time of the class.
Many leaders participate in continuing education about religion and the Bible. The wisdom and facts learned from these classes may help share God’s Word with others.
Spiritual leaders can learn from each other and those they are teaching.
Online and in-person classes are ways to read the Bible. Applications on phones, websites, magazines, and books allow us to read Scripture anytime.
Why Do Some Books of the Bible Cover the Same Events?
God equips each one of us with special and unique gifts and talents. God chose certain individuals to record history.
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.” (2 Timothy 3:16 NIV)
Have you ever heard statistics stating that people need to hear something three times before they absorb what is being said? Or maybe you’ve heard that people must read something seven times before the comment is completely understood. Whether we hear or read Scripture once or many more times, there is always something to be gleaned.
Perhaps that is one of the reasons some books of the Bible cover the same events. The more we read, the more we learn from His Word.
Also, have you noticed that certain books of the Bible record the same happenings but from a different person and point of view?
Biblical scholars think the book of Mark may have been written first. Mark records more miracles than the other gospels, probably to emphasize Jesus’ divinity. Scholars have suggested his record is based on Peter’s memories of following Jesus, meaning it shows Peter’s point of view.
Compare Mark’s focus to what Matthew focuses on. The tax collector Matthew, who became a disciple of Jesus, tells about the genealogy of Jesus, His birth, and his early years. Matthew includes John baptizing Jesus, the miracles of healing the sick, and raising the dead. Matthew’s main goal was to prove Jesus is the Messiah.
In each book of the Bible, important information is shared by the people God has chosen and equipped to give those messages. Authors today may recall the same event yet have different perspectives on each scenario. God knows how He wants history to be recorded and shared.
Where to Start Reading the Bible to Learn about the Nation of Israel?
What should we do if we want to have more information about Israel and its history? Reading Scripture will provide information. Bible concordances, study books, the library, websites, and conversations with clergy and other spiritual leaders can help provide context to what we read in the Bible.
Genesis says the name “Israel” was given by God to Jacob. God gave him a new name and a new purpose to be fruitful and increase in number.
In Exodus, God extends an invitation for Israel to join Him on Mount Sinai.
“Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites.” (Exodus 19:5-6 NIV)
The book of Deuteronomy shares that the Lord has chosen the Israelites to be His chosen people, children of the Lord. Detailed instructions were given as to how they should live.
Scripture continues sharing about the people and their journeys in the Old and New Testaments.
In the book of John, Jesus declared that Nathanael was an Israelite with no deceit.
Israel was important in Biblical times and is vital to God’s message today.
Where to Start Reading the Bible to Learn about Israel’s Exile
Exodus 6 shares the words of God when He told Moses about establishing a covenant with the people to give them the land of Canaan. Moses spoke to them, but they didn’t listen. God had said He would take them as His own and be their God. They would know He brought them out from the yoke of the Egyptians. The people continued to have hard hearts and wouldn’t listen.
The Israelites were exiled to Babylon. Thinking they could handle struggles on their own, they turned away from God. In today’s world, there are times when we try to figure things out by ourselves instead of praying and seeking God’s help.
The Old and New Testaments tell about the struggles of the Israelites, their defiance in seeking God, the sins they committed, the times they cried out for help in desperation, their punishments, and the ways God dealt with each situation.
Where to Start Reading the Bible to Learn about Jesus
Some people would say that to learn about Jesus, you must begin at the beginning. Genesis tells about God’s creations, including man and woman. The lineage of Jesus can be traced back to Adam and Eve.
To learn about Jesus, we need not only look at the New Testament words about His mother, Mary, and father, Joseph. The Old Testament shares prophecies about the upcoming birth of the Messiah. Jesus of Nazareth fulfilled these prophecies. A prophecy is defined as “a prediction of something to come,” according to the Merriam-Webster dictionary.
Passages giving messianic prophecies share in the Old Testament that the Messiah would be born of a virgin. This was fulfilled when the Virgin Mary conceived and gave birth to Jesus.
Another Old Testament prophecy sharing that the Messiah would come from the tribe of Judah is found in Genesis. This was fulfilled as told in Hebrews 7:14.
Scripture told that the Messiah would be resurrected from the dead.
“But God will ransom my soul from the power of Sheol, for he will receive me. Selah” (Psalm 49:15 NIV)
The Bible shares how Jesus would suffer, die, and rise from the dead on the third day.
“And he said, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.” (Luke 9:22 NIV)
Where to Start Reading the Bible to Learn about the Early Church
The early church could have included people meeting in homes or gathering in the fields. People were listening to speakers prophesying and giving hope for the future.
Pentecost in the Old Testament was a Jewish holiday celebrating Israel’s deliverance from Egypt.
In the New Testament, the dictionary defines Pentecost as “the Christian festival celebrating the descent of the Holy Spirit on the disciples of Jesus after his Ascension,” which is held on the seventh Sunday after Easter.
In the book of Acts, we read that the Holy Spirit came to the apostles to fulfill the words of Jesus that they would receive power from the Holy Spirit to glorify God’s name.
When Peter arrived and entered the house, Cornelius fell at Paul’s feet. The law stated that a Jew could not associate or visit with a Gentile. However, Peter told the large crowd that God had shown him that he should not call anyone impure or unclean. Later in Scripture, Cornelius shares how he sent for Peter and that they would listen to everything the Lord had commanded Peter to tell them.
According to Scripture, as Peter was speaking, the Holy Spirit fell on the people. He commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord.
Great Bible Reading Plans
Whether reading or listening to God’s Word, there is always a way to learn His message. Staying in the Word of God daily may deepen your relationship with God and help you bring others to know Him.
These are two great plans for reading the Bible.
Bible Study Tools Classic Reading Plan
Bible Stduy Tools Old Testament and New Testament Reading Plan
In His Name,
Melissa Henderson
Photo Credit: Unsplash/Ben White
Melissa is the author of Licky the Lizard and Grumpy the Gator. Her passions are helping in the community and church. Melissa is an Elder, Deacon, and Stephen Minister.
Follow Melissa on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and at http://www.melissaghenderson.
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