We have gotten many requests about where to start your Bible study?
- I’ve never been very religious, but I want to learn about God, where do I start?
- I hate religion because I was abused as a child, but I feel like there’s something missing in my life, is God real?
- I’m so confused by all the different denominations, how can I learn what’s really true?
Start by learning about Jesus Christ because He is all that matters. He is the mighty creator. He is the loving savior. He wants to be your friend. To learn about Jesus, start by reading The Gospel according to the Apostle John It’s a very short letter that you can read in a single setting.
God sent a man named John to be his messenger. John came to declare the truth about the light so that everyone would become believers through his message. John was not the light, but he came to declare the truth about the light. (John 1:6-8)
Then read Acts of the Holy Spirit to get an understanding of how the church started and how the gospel spread throughout the world…
In my first book I told you, Theophilus, about everything Jesus began to do and teach until the day he was taken up to heaven after giving his chosen apostles further instructions through the Holy Spirit. During the forty days after his crucifixion, he appeared to the apostles from time to time, and he proved to them in many ways that he was actually alive. And he talked to them about the Kingdom of God. (Acts 1:1-3)
Then read The Letter to the Romans for the most complete treatise on doctrine and theology for this age…
First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world. God, whom I serve in my spirit in preaching the gospel of his Son, is my witness how constantly I remember you in my prayers at all times; and I pray that now at last by God’s will the way may be opened for me to come to you. (Romans 1:8-10)
And, somewhere in here, once you have accepted Jesus Christ as your personal savior and want to know more about how he wants you to live and behave today, read the letters from the Apostle Paul to the early churches. I especially recommend Philippians and Colossians.
And, now that you are aware of what is happening today, read Genesis and Exodus to see how things started…
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. (Genesis 1:1)
Then a new king, to whom Joseph meant nothing, came to power in Egypt. “Look,” he said to his people, “the Israelites have become far too numerous for us. Come, we must deal shrewdly with them or they will become even more numerous and, if war breaks out, will join our enemies, fight against us and leave the country.” (Exodus 1:8-10)
Also read What should I do to inherit eternal life? and What is the gospel?
For deeper study:
- How to Read the Bible Book by Book: A Guided Tour by Gordon D. Fee – Reading the Bible need not be a haphazard journey through strange and bewildering territory. Like an experienced tour guide, How to Read the Bible Book by Book takes you by the hand and walks you through the Scriptures. For each book of the Bible, the authors start with a quick snapshot, then expand the view to help you better understand its message and how it fits into the grand narrative of the Bible. Written by two top evangelical scholars, this survey is designed to get you actually reading the Bible knowledgeably and understanding it accurately.
- Halley’s Bible Handbook by Henry Halley – The bestselling Bible handbook of all time with millions of copies sold, Halley’s Bible Handbook has been thoroughly updated, while retaining its time-honored features and Dr. Halley’s highly personal style, to offer even greater clarity, insight, and usefulness. Halley’s Bible Handbook makes the Bible’s wisdom and message accessible to everyone. Whether you’ve read the Bible many times or never before, you will find insights that provide a firmer grasp of God’s Word and an appreciation for the cultural, religious, and geographic settings in which the story of the Bible unfolds. Written for both mind and heart, this completely revised, updated, and expanded edition features:
- The Moody Handbook of Theology by Paul Enns – The study of God, His nature, and His Word are all essential to the Christian faith. Now those interested in Christian theology have a newly revised and updated reference tool in the 25th Anniversary Edition of The Moody Handbook of Theology. In this classic and timeless one-volume resource, Paul Enns offers a comprehensive overview of the five dimensions of theology: biblical, systematic, historical, dogmatic, and contemporary. Each section includes an introduction, chapters on key points, specific studies pertinent to that theology, books for further study, and summary evaluations of each dimension. Charts, graphs, glossary, and indexes add depth and breadth. Theology, once the domain of academicians and learned pastors, is now accessible to anyone interested in understanding the essentials of what Christians believe. The Moody Handbook of Theology is a concise doctrinal reference tool for newcomers and seasoned veterans alike.
This might be a good first Bible for new believers:
A brand new life of faith begins when we place our trust in Jesus Christ. Start is the perfect Bible for new believers or believers who want to learn more about their faith. Ideal for introducing new believers to the Bible, Start focuses on basic discipleship with articles and devotions on subjects including prayer, Bible study, church involvement, sharing your faith, and discovering God’s will. Core biblical themes are introduced at basic levels of theological sophistication and presented in very simple language.