Where Should I Start Studying the Bible?
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Do you have questions about where to start studying the Bible?
If you’re new to reading and learning the Bible, my guess is you’ve got lots of questions. That’s totally fair! The Bible is an amazing book, but learning how to study the Bible for yourself can take some time.
Maybe you’re wondering, what part of the Bible should I study first? How to study the Bible like a pastor? Or what order to read the Bible in?
This article will help you discover where to start reading the Bible and how to study the Bible effectively for yourself so that your faith doesn’t hinge on others but is firmly planted in the Bible (as it should be).
Where To Begin Studying the Bible for Beginners?
What is the proper way to study the Bible? Science claims that we retain information best when the lessons we participate in lead us back to one main topic or theme. This is why public education is taught by subject and history is taught by theme instead of dates.
There are lots of themes and topics to study in the Bible, but if you’re new to studying the Bible I would start by choosing Bible study topics that support the foundation of your faith. Who is God? Who are we in relationship to God? How do those two things affect the way we live? These Bible Study topics will help you answer those questions:
- Attributes of God.
- Names of God.
- Identity (Becoming A New Creation) – This article walks you through how your identity changes when Jesus becomes your Lord and Savior.
- Salvation. We’ll talk more about this in a second.
- Grace. Grace is a topic that is easy to misunderstand but essential for us to learn about. Max Lucado’s book Grace: More Than We Deserve, Greater Than We Imagine will teach you the wonder and importance of grace and how it applies to our everyday lives.
Studying the Bible by topic is a lot of fun. It gives us a chance to study topics that we can relate to and engage with. That’s not the only way to read the Bible though! There are 66 books in the Bible. All of them are golden. You’re probably wondering if there are 66 books and none of them are worth missing, what part of the Bible should I study first? I’ve got three solid suggestions coming at you in the next paragraph!
Where Is A Good Place to Start Reading the Bible?
What part of the Bible should I study first? The short answer is that there is no wrong answer. There are portions of the Bible that are easier to read, but just because they are easier doesn’t mean you have to start there. The easier route isn’t always the best route. So although there isn’t any harm in starting with the shorter texts like Jonah, Ruth, Jude, or Obadiah – don’t feel like you have to start there. You don’t even have to have a Bible study plan.
When I’m answering the question, what book of the Bible should I read first? There are three questions I ask that when answered can help determine where to begin studying the Bible.
- Can you comfortably explain the gospel and the impact it has on your life?
- Do you have questions about how you should live going forward (as a new believer)?
- Do you understand how all the pieces of the Bible fit together?
NOTE: If you’re wondering, where to start studying the Bible for couples, these answers apply to you too! The basics of Christian living apply to singles and couples alike. We all need a firm foundation. So keep reading to learn how to study the Bible for yourself.
The Gospels: Where to Begin Studying the Bible For Beginners
From as early as Genesis God promised He would send someone to save the people (that’s us) from their sins. The events that fulfilled that promise; the birth of Jesus, His sinless life, His nature as the Son of God, His death and resurrection; those events have been woven into one main truth (or event) that we call the gospel. You’ll find them in the first four books of the New Testament; Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John; which we also refer to as the gospels.
To put it simply, the gospel changes everything for Christians. It is the grace that carries us. If you want to learn more about the gospel and why it matters, or what Jesus’ life was like; how He lived, what He taught, and how that impacted the world – start by studying the Gospels. If you have to choose just one, I recommend John. It’s the most in-depth compilation of who Jesus is and the difference His life makes for you and I. Tons of Bible study lessons to learn from there!
Proverbs & Paul’s Letters: Where to Start Reading the Bible Daily
If you have a clear understanding of what the gospel is and why it matters and you find yourself asking where should I start studying the Bible? My next suggestion would be to hop on over to Provbers and Paul’s letters. There are plenty to choose from!
- Romans
- 1 & 2 Corinthians
- Galatians
- Ephesians
- Philippians
- Colossians
- 1 & 2 Thessalonians
Paul’s letters were written for new Christians who had questions about how to live life in light of what they now believe. The gospel affects every area of our lives. It catapults us into a world of change. Paul’s letters helped believers understand Christian love and conduct and how to discern what it true, just, and righteous while living in pagan cities under corrupt leadership. Make no mistake, many of the challenges the churches were facing back then, are still being experienced today. The wisdom of Paul’s letters is just as much for Christians today as it was for Christians then..
Following the Story-line: How to study the Bible like a pastor
Because we’ve become so used to studying the Bible by theme, story, or passage– it’s really easy to forget that Bible isn’t just a compilation of ancient stories. In actuality, it’s one big story; God’s story. And although it starts in Genesis and ends in Revelation the books and chapters in between aren’t arranged in order of events. They’re actually organized by literary style. So if you read the Bible from cover to cover you’ll have all the pieces of the story, just not in order.
Reading in order helps readers gain context; which is a HUGE part of how to study the Bible effectively and why so many Pastors incorporate history into their Sunday sermons. It gives us the information necessary to see a fuller picture.
What Order Should the Bible Be Read In?
Honest answer; its 100% up to you. For some people, that’s an overwhelming thought. That’s why Bible reading plans are so popular. They provide a degree of guidance that people appreciate.
That being said, my favorite way to read the Bible is in chronological order (order of events). I like to see how the history and stories flow together. Reading the Bible in order of events provides much more clarity than skipping around the Bible does. Learn more about how to read the Bible in order of event here.
How Do I Bible Study On My Own?
We’ve talked about where to start reading the Bible. The next questions to answer all start with“how?”
How do beginners read the Bible?
How to start reading the Bible daily?
Can you show me how to take good Bible study notes?
You’ll find tons of Bible study tips and tools for how to study the Bible effectively here.
Join our email community and get lots of resources (like our Bible Study Key and 3 Step How to Study the Bible pdf) and Bible study for beginners free in your inbox!
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Where Should I Start Studying the Bible? Check out these ideas! Share on XHow to Study the Bible Deeply
If you’re looking for something a little more personal and hands-on I’d love to introduce you to the VIBRANT Bible Study Kit!
VIBRANT is a printable Bible Study course we created to help women engage with Scripture and study the Bible in context with intention and a splash of color. It includes the tips and methods I use to teach women how to study the Bible effectively on their own. Through VIBRANT you’ll gain:
- Methods of Bible Highlighting
- DIY Bible Highlighting Key
- Basics of taking Bible study notes
- Bible Study notes worksheets
- Tips for How to Study the Bible Inductively
- Printable Questions to help you make sense of the Bible
It’s the ultimate How to study the Bible for Beginners pdf!
Freely ye give, freely ye receive.
Why are you trying to sell the word of God it it given to all of us free
Hi there Cyndi,
If you’ve been around here a minute you’ll know we talk about Jesus and the Bible on a regular basis free of charge. If you’re new here, feel free to click around and explore. You’ll find helpful resources on nearly every page. Let me know if you have specific questions and I’m happy to point you towards some resources. You can also plug into our free FB group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/simplybiblestudygroup) and ask or search for information there.
Wishing you the best!