I’m writing this for my mother. She’s getting her own Bible tomorrow and needs some tips on how to read it.
Well, of course, it’s not like a normal book; not to be read cover-to-cover, though some people have attempted it, and fewer still have achieved it. It might be okay for you readers, but I usually began to falter at about 1 Kings.
My suggestions for reading the Bible are these:
1. Pick a Gospel, perhaps Mark because it’s written like a story, and spend an hour-and-a-half reading it right the way through. Just read it. Don’t stop and study it or take notes, unless you’ve got more time on your hands. Your goal is simply to read right to the end of the sixteenth chapter. If you want to learn about Jesus’ compassion for the marginalised, read Luke. If you want Jesus’ concise teaching, read Matthew. If you want to learn about the Son of God, read John.
2. Okay, now go to the Old Testament and find Psalms; pick a psalm a day. Some are really long and others are ultra-short. Some are sad and others are full of joy. They are poetry and song. Learn to love the psalms. Read them when you’re connected emotionally or need emotional connection.
3. Let’s go to Acts. Learn about the first 30 years after Christ ascended to be with the Father. Learn about the coming of the Holy Spirit. Discover Peter’s preaching in the first half, and Paul’s preaching in the second half. Make sure you don’t skip over Acts chapter 9, the conversion of Paul, or the conversion of the Ethiopian eunuch in chapter 8, or the first martyr, Stephen, in chapter 7—see the problem we have? Acts is a very rich book about the early Church and God’s power.
4. Now where shall we go. Proverbs for wisdom. Ecclesiastes too, but a vastly different kind. And Job! Go there when life’s making no sense at all. Jeremiah, too. Oh yes, God knows all about our suffering.
5. Okay, let’s dive into one of Paul’s letters. Want some joy despite your circumstances, then go to Philippians. Colossians. Ephesians. All written when Paul was imprisoned. They say Paul didn’t write Hebrews, but it’s such well written Scripture. If you’ve got time, 1 and 2 Corinthians (the tearful letter) are personal favourites.
6. Where did it all begin? Go to Genesis: from creation, the Abrahamic covenant, through Abraham’s line all the way to Joseph. Long book. Very important book. The first five books are the Pentateuch, the books of the Law, or Torah. Exodus is the grand book of Moses, a crucial book for the Jewish people. Leviticus and Numbers, books of law and Mosaic history. Deuteronomy, the second telling of the Law.
7. While we’re there, go with Joshua into the Promised Land. The history books of Samuel, Kings and Chronicles will take you a fair while to get through, but knowing Israel’s history, the divided Kingdom, and exile is interesting reading.
8. Don’t forget Judges for some highly important theological observations, and the sinful nature of humanity when we’re poorly led or not led at all.
9. Up for something different. Go to Revelation. Some pretty crazy visions, yet it gives us some idea of God’s passion for humanity, and the victory of the Lamb.
10. The letters of John, 1, 2, 3, are black and white and commanding in what they say about truth and light and darkness and love.
11. If you want to learn the knowledge of God, go to Romans. Spells out the story of grace.
12. Lastly, the Prophets, both Minor and Major, will help you understand the waywardness of the people of God. But if you want hope, go to Isaiah 40-66, but don’t be surprised when you find hope even in places like Lamentations.
That’s enough for now.
Photo by Hannah Busing on Unsplash
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