Reading the Bible
Where Do I Start?

To many people, the Bible looks intimidating. Yet, those who read it regularly find that it is filled with amazing stories and powerful truths, comforting words and joyous songs. Some people enjoy reading the Bible from cover to cover, while others prefer reading selected portions that deal with their own situation.

Really, there is no right or wrong place to begin reading. Some parts of the Bible you will undoubtedly find to be boring (example: Leviticus-- ceremonial laws used in ancient Israel) and other parts of the Bible you will love and want to go over again and again (example: The Gospel of Mark -- an account of what Jesus said and did).

Regardless of where you begin, the real issue is your heart toward God. If you read the Bible with an open, teachable spirit, God will reveal some amazing things to you.

The Bible is a lot like a gold mine. The more you dig, and the deeper you dig, the more you will learn and understand about God's plan. Reading the Bible is exciting, life-changing, and challenging.

If this is your first time reading the Bible, we would suggest that you begin reading in the Gospel of John or the book of James. This Gospel, the fourth book of the New Testament, can give you a clear understanding of who Jesus is and what He did. James is a short book full of practical wisdom for daily life.

There is no right or wrong speed at which to read the Bible. Take your time and let the truths you read soak in. Read things more than once that seem to have special meaning to you.

The following is a list of other good places to begin reading in the Bible. These chapters are the most often quoted portions of the Bible that teach us vital truths about God, ourselves, and what God expects us to do.

Matthew 5-7 -- the famous "Sermon on the Mount" that gives practical instructions on how to live like Jesus
Romans 6 -- how to break evil habits
Romans 5 -- what the death of Jesus means for you
Colossians 3 -- the Christian life in a nutshell
Hebrews 11 -- example of Bible characters who had faith
Revelation 20-21 -- the ultimate conclusion of God's plan
Psalm 145 -- a praise song to God
1 Corinthians 13 --the "love" chapter

(Obviously there are multitudes of other great Bible passages...these are just a start!)

Some Bible translations are more difficult to read than others -- if you'd like a free copy of the easy-reading "NLT" (New Living Translation), stop by the church anytime to grab one.

When you begin to read the Bible, always remember to pray and ask God for understanding. God isn't trying to hide the truth from you...ask Him to help you grasp it and obey it.

I wish you well as you embark on the adventure of reading God's Word. If I can ever be of assistance to you, please contact me!

- Pastor Dan Jarvis

> Download "Real Faith: Bible Basics" Study Help (PDF, 316k)

> Read Answers to Common Questions about the Bible

> Access to the Bible Online

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Teaching the Bible is a major priority at Weymouth. We offer a number of home Bible study options around Medina, Sunday School classes, and even an academic Bible Institute learning program.