A lot of people read the bible just like they would read any book starting at page 1. Unfortunately this often leads to people getting lost and confused.
Genesis starts of with interesting stories and Exodus but when you get into Leviticus it is filled with lots of legal stuff. Numbers is a lot of family trees. It is by this point people start to give up.
The bible is actually a series of 66 books that are put together in a single book this means you don't have to read it in order and you will have a better experience if you do not.
Ways Of Interpreting The Bible
When reading the bible there are actually 4 ways to interpret what you are reading:
- Literal. For example, Jesus actually was crucified. It is historical and is to be take literally.
- Allegorical: Book of Jonah, a prophet spent three days in the belly of a fish. An allegory would be that Jesus spent 3 days in the tomb before he rose again.
- Metaphorical: This is using a metaphor to help explain something not easily described. For example,
- In 1 Corinthians 3:16 “You are a temple of God” is a metaphor.
- In Matthew 26:26-28 Jesus takes a loaf and says “this is my body” and he takes up a cup and says “this is my blood of the covenant” these are metaphors.
- Spiritual: This one is a more complex explanation but this article does a good job at explaining it.
Spiritual Interpretation In The Bible.
Upon your first read through the bible, take it slow and say a short prayer for the Holy Spirit to guide you through it.
Also assume things are literal unless it is specifically stated as a metaphor.
For example the Parables like the one about a farmer sowing seeds and or of the new wine in an old skin.
There is software called Logos which is very useful as a companion not just as you start out but as you get more advanced as well.
You can download it or there is a web app version
Better Approach To Reading Order
There are a few different ways people suggest reading it but I have found this method worked best for people I have discussed it with:
1. Start With The Gospels
2. Memorize the Promises
3. Start reading using a reading plan but always see how it points back to Jesus.
Start With The Gospels
- Start with Mark simply reading through without worrying about taking notes like you would any other book you have read. The reason I suggest Mark is:
- It is written like an action movie so is a fast paced read.
- It is the shortest of the gospels but covers most of the major parts of the story.
- It is the least poetic or abstract so it is easier to understand.
- One you have done that you can start a study on the four books of the gospel together by something called a Pericope. Some of the stories in the gospel are in multiple of the four books.
Here is a list of the Pericopes In The Gospel Roughly In Timeline Order.
Memorize The Promises
Start reading using a reading plan but always see how it points back to Jesus
- Faith Radio - Read The Bible In One Year - This gives you a list and you can start any day you want and then it tells you the parts to read together each day.
- Five Day Bible Reading Plan - This one is meant to start January 1 of the year and it gives you a 5 day calendar with ones to read each day.
- Bible.Com One Year Bible - This one is nice because you start any day you want and it gives you the link to read each section using YouVersion. This is good if you simply want to read online as it saves time looking up the scripture.
- Alpha.org Bible In A Year - This one has an app as well as a website with commentary.
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