How do you read the Bible?

[HoleInTheRoof]

Recent events in my life have caused me to take a look at who I am as a person, how I live my life, and changes that I want to make to become a better person.

One of those things is I've decided to become a better Christian. I've always been a Christian, but I was what I consider to be a "convenient Christian". I've taken to going to Church weekly, and I'm eliminating some of my bad habits.

I'd like to also read the Bible. My question is, and I don't want it to sound stupid, but am I supposed to read it front to back like a traditional story book?

Anyone have any ideas or suggestions? If so, thanks in advance.

 

[Danny White]

I don't know how long this thread will remain open, as religious discussions are usually shut down pretty quickly.

I'd recommend you purchase a "student Bible" which is a standard Bible that has very detailed footnotes and explanations of scripture in it... what it also will have, in answer to your question, is an organized course of study whereby, over the course of several months, you can read the whole Bible reading some of the Old and some of the New in a way that fits together to make sense.

After Genesis, a lot of the Old Testament is very dense (Numbers, etc) and you'll likely lose your steam if you attempt to go at it in order.

If this thread stays open long enough, I'll try to post the format that my student Bible has in it, or if it gets shut down, I'll try to PM you.

Best of luck in your pursuit!

 

[the kid 05]

i asked my mom, as she reads it when ever she is down, she said she does it front to back

 

[Signals]

HoleInTheRoof

Here is a link you might be interested in. This was found on Cajuncowboys sig.

http://www.e-sword.net

You will find this to be a very good Bible study software. It's wery well written and it's FREE!

There are tons of add-ons that can be down loaded to this software.

 

[rathalarge]

I've got a NIV Men's Daily Devotional and read it from cover to cover. There is a reading calender in the back for everyday of the year. I enjoyed it!!

 

[Mavs Man]

Before I study a new book I usually review a commentary to research the book and put it in a historical context; it also helps reference other books that the writer is quoting or is being referred to in a passage.

As DW said, I'd suggest getting a good student's Bible with the commentary placed in footnotes by verse.

There is also an internet site that I've found pretty useful organized by book:

http://www.enduringword.com/library_commentaries.html

As far as the reading schedule, I would suggest two methods:

a) read a few chapters of Old and New Testament at a time
b) read it in groups

If B, I mean read the New Testament all the way through (do-able), or do a read through of Genesis and the first 20 chapters of Exodus, or read through the Israelite history beginning with Joshua and ending with 2 Chronicles. Psalms and Proverbs can easily stand on their own. The major and minor prophets are easier when placed in context with the history that each book is set in.

Hope this helps.

 

[HoleInTheRoof]

Thank you all who have answered. This isn't neccessarily meant to be a religious discussion, as I know that, even moreso than politics, can be a firestorm.

If this were to be closed down prior to it becoming a potential flame war, then I fully understand. I've already received several good answers in both posts, as well as PM's.

I'll look into getting a student Bible. Again, thanks to all. If anyone has anything else they'd like to contribute via PM, by all means.

 

[Goldenrichards83]

A good place to start in is the book of Proverbs in the bible. A book of wisdom. Also, I would start with the new testament because that is the gospel of Jesus(Matthew,Mark Luke and John)followed by other books that teaches how a christian should live and act. The book of Proverbs is about wisdom, you will love this book and you will grow with this. Good luck. I was just like you and reading this has help me more than I can say.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

I advise reading Romans before the gospels and try and figure out how the two jive.

 

[trickblue]

I highly recommend a bible study called "The Heart of the Problem"... VERY good stuff...

 

[Crown Royal]

Non Christian here, but I haven't always been that way.

My suggestion is a lot like Danny White's - a student bible is an excellent way to go about it.

Also, something that always aided me in reading and interpretation was Bible/study group. Usually you can find this in your church. It's a lot like any other subject. You learn the most in your discussions with others on context.

I'm about to tackle the Koran - one of the ways I plan on studying it is through discussions with a Muslim friend of mine at work. It's kinda the same method I am suggesting here.

 

[Danny White]

This is the Student Bible I have, although I got mine about 15 years ago, so I don't know if it is exactly similar.

http://www.zondervan.com/Cultures/e...ervan.9780310927846&QueryStringSite=Zondervan




Also, the website I'm listing below breaks down the 3-track reading plan they have in that Bible, which is an excellent way to read the whole Bible.

Track one is a short course where you just read a handful of books to get a general feel.

Track two, you read something (not all) from every book of the Bible.

Track three is the whole enchilada, but broken down moving back and forth between the Old and New Testaments to make the project easier to get through. This sounds like the one you want to follow.

But if you use this site to keep you organized, you should be able to tackle this project with ease!

http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/cms_content?page=653678&sp=1003&event=1003MAIN

 

[Hoov]

You can also purchase commentaries on various books of the bible that have been written by men/women who have soent years studying, this will give you insight into many things such as what the customs of the culture was at the times that things were written and a history as to where certain practices evolved from. Also these commentaries sometimes have additional statements or questions for you to ponder on your own.

I have read commenatries by extremely fundamental conservative pastors/scholars and read ones by very liberal pastors/scholars as well, it is quite intresting to see how differently certain pasages can be looked at.

 

[SupermanXx]

you know what I do? and this may seem strange... I'll admit, I don't read it everyday.. but on the mornings that I do, I just take the Bible, and randomly open up a page and read the first paragraph that I see. I figure it's what God would have wanted me to see for the day

 

[needforspeed]

HoleInTheRoof

Here is a link you might be interested in. This was found on Cajuncowboys sig.

http://www.e-sword.net

You will find this to be a very good Bible study software. It's wery well written and it's FREE!

There are tons of add-ons that can be down loaded to this software.

The best Bible software out there. I know at least 7 pastors in my area who use e-sword exclusively.

 

[needforspeed]

You can also purchase commentaries on various books of the bible that have been written by men/women who have soent years studying, this will give you insight into many things such as what the customs of the culture was at the times that things were written and a history as to where certain practices evolved from. Also these commentaries sometimes have additional statements or questions for you to ponder on your own.

I have read commenatries by extremely fundamental conservative pastors/scholars and read ones by very liberal pastors/scholars as well, it is quite intresting to see how differently certain pasages can be looked at.

That e-sword link also offers commentaries that you can purchase and download for a lot less than you would pay in a bookstore.

 

[Hoov]

you know what I do? and this may seem strange... I'll admit, I don't read it everyday.. but on the mornings that I do, I just take the Bible, and randomly open up a page and read the first paragraph that I see. I figure it's what God would have wanted me to see for the day

I tried that and i opened up to the paragraph about Judas hanging himself. so i decided i would try again. The next one read "go thou and do likewise"

 

[SupermanXx]

I tried that and i opened up to the paragraph about Judas hanging himself. so i decided i would try again. The next one read "go thou and do likewise"

well, did you?

 

[trickblue]

I tried that and i opened up to the paragraph about Judas hanging himself. so i decided i would try again. The next one read "go thou and do likewise"

well, did you?

Apparently he did... at work at least...

http://cowboyszone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=85288

 

[Yeagermeister]

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