The Bible offers many lessons on life, love, and how to work through hard times. Reading the Bible routinely can be an effective way to improve life and motivation to change the things that you feel may be holding you back in life. It’s not for everyone, but cultivating a habit of understanding the Bible’s lessons can change your life forever. It can be challenging to find the time to read, but I like to think about it just as I would physical exercise – mental health is just as important, if not more. There are a few books that are recommended to dive into first, which we’ll cover in this article today as well as some of the most popular translations.
Which Book to Begin with?
It is one of the most commonly asked questions by followers reading the Bible for the first time. The reality is that there are no right or wrong answers. Some suggestions and tips are helpful for first-time readers and new Christian followers.
Sections/Categories of the Bible
There are two major categories of the Bible.
- The Old Testament
- The New Testament
The Old Testament includes 39 books and covers the period from the creation of the universe before the birth of Jesus. It also consists of documents about the ancient history of Israel and offers moral teachings.
The New Testament consists of 27 books and continues directly from the events mentioned in the Old Testament. It includes the Gospels that talk about the life of Jesus and documents his teachings and intentions.
Starting with the Genesis
As a new reader or a believer in the faith, he/she can start with Genesis. It is the Bible’s first book that includes the history of the world’s creation. In addition, Genesis documents the ways in which day-to-day life should be. Starting from Genesis and reading up to the last Biblical book, Revelation, readers, and Christian followers can better understand the Holy Text and familiarize themselves with different books.
Reading the Gospel of John in the New Testament
If a follower or reader wants to choose the New Testament, he/she should begin reading or studying the Gospel of John. The four Gospels mentioned in the New Testament, including John, Luke, Mark, and Matthew, represent the popular verses and stories of Jesus’s life.
The main reason to begin with the Gospel of John is its historic and unique narrative style. It offers new believers and followers an understanding of Jesus’ teachings and ministry. In addition, it gives meaningful insight when studying other books of the Bible.
Reading the Wisdom of Literature Books
Christian followers should include Wisdom literature books in their bible’s reading and studying plan. The books include Proverbs, Psalms, Songs of Job, Songs, and Ecclesiastes, and are a collection of teachings, moral lessons, narratives, and poetry. The Wisdom literature book documents life, love, worship, and suffering. Proverbs is a popular book with 31 chapters, making it ideal to read every day for a month.
Selecting the Translation
For Christian followers and believers, picking the translation influences the study of the Holy Text. The biblical translations have two parts.
- Word-for-Word
- Thought-for-Thought
Word-for-word translation aims to retain the original ancient texts written in Aramaic, Greek, and Hebrew as much as possible. One can look for translations like:
- ESV or English Standard Version
- NASB or New American Standard Bible
- KJV or King James Version
On the other hand, the Thought-for-Thought translation intends to convey the concepts and ideas of the original words and verses to the new and contemporary Bible readers. Thought-for-Thought translation is preferable for new readers or beginners because of its easy-to-understand language. The translations to look out for are:
- NIV or New International Version
- NLT or New Living Translation
- CEB or Common English Bible
Conclusion
Irrespective of whether one is a new believer or grown up within the teachings of the Church, studying and reading the Bible routinely is a vital part of the faith. Studying or reading the bible’s books and stories gives a new perspective on life, love, wisdom, and struggles. The words of God inspire followers and believers to draw closer to Jesus and lead a better life. Getting started with Genesis and the Gospels of John is the most effective way to read or study the Bible for the first time.