What Order Should a New Christian Read the Bible in?

Jaxxyy · Dec 30, 2022

What Order Should a New Christian Read the Bible in? I have recently discoered faith and really want to read the Bible but not sure what order to go in fully!

Clare73 · Dec 30, 2022

Jaxxyy said:
What Order Should a New Christian Read the Bible in? I have recently discoered faith and really want to read the Bible but not sure what order to go in fully!

I would start with the gospel of John, to get a grasp of the spiritual.
I would then read the gospel of Luke, for its fullness of detail.
Then Acts for the history of the church's beginnings.
Then maybe Galatians, Ephesians, Colossians, Philippians, 1 & 2 Corinthians, Romans, 1 & 2 Thessalonians for Christian doctrine.

Hopefully, there will be introductory information varying for each book, such as author, date and recipients, occasion and purpose, theological teaching, etc.

Save the prophetic books for when you have some Scripture under your belt, for there is much controversy regarding what they actually mean.

Grafted In · Dec 30, 2022

Jaxxyy said:
What Order Should a New Christian Read the Bible in? I have recently discoered faith and really want to read the Bible but not sure what order to go in fully!

The New Testament, perhaps the 4 Gospels first.
I've always heard others say The Gospel of John, but I do not understand that. Why is that book, of all the New Testament, most often given to a babe in Christ as the starting point,?

Gregory Thompson · Dec 30, 2022

I recommend to read the first three gospels first, they have the foundational teachings.

John is meant to be read after the first three are being applied already.

If you want to make it through the whole bible, I would recommend an audio bible so you can listen to it while doing other things.

GodLovesCats · Dec 30, 2022

Jaxxyy said:
What order should a new Christian read the Bible in? I have recently discoered faith and really want to read the Bible but not sure what order to go in fully!

First things first, congratulations on making the wonderful decision to become one of God's children and enter His Kingdom!

For new Christians specifically, it is best to begin with the Gospels. Read Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John from beginning to end in order. Also read Acts from beginning to end before reading Revelation.

Jaxxyy · Dec 30, 2022

So I should read Matthew, then Mark, then Luke, then John? Then Acts? Then Revelations?

Clare73 · Dec 30, 2022

Grafted In said:
The New Testament, perhaps the 4 Gospels first.
I've always heard others say The Gospel of John, but I do not understand that. Why is that book, of all the New Testament, most often given to a babe in Christ as the starting point,?

Probably because therein are such concepts as:
the life
the light of men
sonship
incarnation
hostility to Jesus
Son of God
Jesus' destiny
signs (miracles)
things the Father gives
Jesus' dependence on the Father, doing the work of the Father
bread of life
the upper room with the apostles the night before he died
Son of Man
his glory in heaven
content of faith: Jesus is the Son of God, in whom one's faith is eternal life

Jaxxyy · Dec 30, 2022

When should I read the rest of the New Testemant then?

Gregory Thompson · Dec 30, 2022

Jaxxyy said:
When should I read the rest of the New Testemant then?

The bible mostly wasn't available yet to early Christians, since the letters weren't written yet.

First focus on applying the Gospel teachings, and attending a community of believers, then the letters will have a meaningful context.

Strong in Him · Dec 30, 2022

Jaxxyy said:
What Order Should a New Christian Read the Bible in? I have recently discoered faith and really want to read the Bible but not sure what order to go in fully!

You may get as many opinions as answers to this thread.
Probably the only thing people would agree on is, start with the New Testament.

Personally, I'd say start with the Gospel of Mark; it was the first to be written, is the shortest (16 chapters) and Matthew and Luke got a lot of info from him.
John (24 chapters) is a great Gospel, but is a little theological. It's great at showing who Jesus is - i.e. the bread of life, the resurrection, the Good Shepherd, the Vine - but if you want a quick over view of his life and teachings, you'll find it in Mark. John doesn't give any parables, for example.
Matthew's Gospel is longer (28 chapters) and show how Jesus' birth Ministry and death were prophesied in the OT.
Luke's Gospel is the 2nd shortest (21 chapters); he was writing for Gentiles (non Jews).

Acts of the Apostles records Jesus' ascension and the Holy Spirit being sent at Pentecost. It was this experience which empowered the disciples to go out and preach the Good News, and shows how they changed from being timid men who hid away after the crucifixion, into bold men who went to prison and even faced death for their faith in Jesus.

godisagardener · Dec 30, 2022

Start with Matthew, Mark, Luke, John. You might also look online for a Harmony of the Gospels or combined Gospels. You can find these free to read or download for free at various web sites. Then go on to Acts, Ephesians and Galatians. But also don't forget about the Old Testament. Those books can be a difficult read but they tell the history of God and Israel. Read Genesis and Exodus if nothing else to begin with..

JimR-OCDS · Dec 30, 2022

When I first accepted Christ into my life, I began reading the Gospel of Matthew.

Don't worry about what you don't understand. Those things will be understood
in God's time when He feels you're ready to understand them. For now, just
the desire for God is a prayer in of itself.

Jonaitis · Dec 30, 2022

Jaxxyy said:
What Order Should a New Christian Read the Bible in? I have recently discoered faith and really want to read the Bible but not sure what order to go in fully!

New Testament from the Gospels to the epistles.

The Old Testament can throw you off, especially when you get into the construction of the Tabernacle in Exodus, the ceremonial laws of Leviticus, the census and listings of Numbers, the travel logs of Deuteronomy, wars and battles of Joshua, construction of the First Temple in Kings, and the excessive genealogies of Chronicles (like ten chapters or something long). For someone new, these books will deter you from consistently reading through the whole Old Testament canon. There are a lot of condensed and unabridged information in many parts of those books. If you familiarize yourself with the New Testament, especially with John's Gospel and Acts of the Apostles, you will have a better grip on the Old Testament later down the road.

Jaxxyy · Dec 30, 2022

To be honest the Old Testemant sounds fascinating to me, I love love LOVE history and it kinda sounds like that

Jonaitis · Dec 30, 2022

Jaxxyy said:
To be honest the Old Testemant sounds fascinating to me, I love love LOVE history and it kinda sounds like that

Oh, it is great to read! I really like Leviticus. I just think for someone new, it can begin to be a drag to read through. If you want to try it for yourself, go ahead.

Clare73 · Dec 30, 2022

Jaxxyy said:
To be honest the Old Testemant sounds fascinating to me, I love love LOVE history and it kinda sounds like that

It's a whole lot more than that.

Jaxxyy · Dec 30, 2022

Plus I enjoy reading

DragonFox91 · Dec 30, 2022

Read Genesis 1 thru the calling of Abraham. This gives the understanding of the need for a Savior.
Then go to the Gospels. Pick one. There are pro's to starting w/ any of the 4. Mark is the simplest, John gives the most theology, etc.
Then Romans & I Corinithians. Both explain what the Gospel means

I always read & hear that's how to start. Then you can probably to back to the other 3 Gospels & the rest of the NT & then OT.

Grafted In · Dec 30, 2022

Perhaps stopping at Gen.24 along the way.
The very story of salvation.
I love chapter 24 so much since being made aware of the type or shadow of salvation it provides by a born again Jewish Rabbi.
But that can wait.

Jaxxyy · Dec 31, 2022

I made this

(http://imgur.com/a%2FzdWmfvB)

What Order Should a New Christian Read the Bible in?

Active Member

Blood-bought

Newbie

Change is inevitable, feel free to spare some.

Well-Known Member

Active Member

Blood-bought

Active Member

Change is inevitable, feel free to spare some.

Great is thy faithfulness

Romans 10:6-9, Ephesians 2:8-10

God Cannot Be Grasped, Except Through Love

Soli Deo Gloria

Active Member

Soli Deo Gloria

Blood-bought

Active Member

Well-Known Member

Newbie

Active Member

Similar threads

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency