Mark Vestal Supporter Proud of nothing of myself. Freed by Christ who did it all!

The Bible can be read from Genesis to Revelation, or a person may begin in the New Testament and then go back to the Old Testament. Both can be helpful, but however you prefer is absolutely acceptable. There are some things to keep in mind while reading that will help tremendously in understanding:

The Bible should be read with Christ and His finished work for humanity in memory. Christ, and Him crucified for us, is "the foundation" of our faith, and our faith will grow "...by hearing...the Word of God" (Rom 10:17).

The Old Testament gives us creation, the fall of humanity, God’s promises, Israel’s history, the law, the prophets, and the expectation of the coming Messiah. The New Testament reveals Christ, His death, burial, and resurrection, and the fullness of what God has accomplished through Him; God's reconciliation of the world unto Himself, to be proclaimed by His body, which is the church (2 Cor 5:19).

I believe beginning with the gospel of John, then Paul's epistles Romans through Philemon (paying close attention to Paul's mention of his "but now"s). John gives a clear presentation of who Christ is, and Paul explains sin, God's grace and His forgiveness of sin (through Christ's death), faith, justification, and the believer’s new and eternal standing before God. The reader could then pick up at Matthew, Mark, Luke, and skip over to Acts.

After that, reading the Old Testament may become much clearer, because we begin to see the promises, shadows, sacrifices, and prophecies that point forward to Christ. Going then from Old Testament to Hebrews through Revelation flows very well (which looks back to the cross and also reveals prophecy for a future age outside of this "but now" age of God's grace).

The Bible should also be read with recognition of who is speaking, to whom it is spoken, and what time or covenant is in view. Not every command in Scripture is addressed directly to us, the Church today, even though all Scripture is certainly profitable for us and our understanding. We are admonished by Paul in 2 Tim 2:15 to read in this manner:

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

So the main issue is not merely where we start reading, but how we read: with faith, prayer, humility, context, and a desire to understand what God has revealed through His Son.

In summary: John, Romans through Philemon, Matthew, Mark, Luke, Acts, OT, Hebrews through Revelation is a good plan, but read believing that God’s Word is true, and that salvation and spiritual life are found not in our own works, but in Christ and the work He completed for us because of His love.

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Shirley H Supporter Wife, mother, veteran in the spiritual war we all face!

I think its important to know the Old Testament conceals; however, the New Testament reveals.

The Bible is the most unique, informative, and exciting book you can ever read! You can never exhaust it. It is intricately woven. It is the ultimate matrix.

Do not get discouraged! Ask God to help you understand! He will. Everything is in this book. Never give up on it. 

The more you see, the more this book opens up to you.

Psalm 34:10,11 says those who seek the Lord will not lack any good thing. Listen to me, and I will teach you.

Our work is to thirst for God and His ways.

Always remember the benefits are out of this world!

I find it very informative to always check out all the footnotes.

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Daniel Veler Supporter

Your question is "How should the Bible be read?"

The very first thing you should know is that understanding is given to us by the Lord. It does not come from others.

1 John 2:27: But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.

Whenever you sit down and begin reading the Bible, always ask the Lord to open your heart to receive and understand. Many people have read the Bible from cover to cover, but they have only gained knowledge without understanding. The Lord has placed his Holy Spirit within you; lean on him and not on your own understanding. Remember, this scripture will explain scripture, and all teachings must align with scripture. Some people claim there is no resurrection, but the scripture clearly states otherwise. My approach to studying the Bible is driven by a desire for answers to my questions, and I seek those answers from the Lord. 

Let me provide you with an example to help you comprehend my point.

I was curious about the concept of the fear of the Lord. I began praying, seeking the Lord’s guidance and understanding.

I delved into the scriptures, reading every passage that addressed the fear of the Lord. The Lord showed me through scriptures what was the fear of the Lord. It is the beginning of wisdom. 

Job 28:28: Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.

Now, when Christ came into my life, I didn’t understand what the fear of the Lord meant. But after reading what Job had written, I understood it to mean to receive wisdom from the Lord, and when I was given understanding of it, I would depart from evil. As it is also written:

Proverbs 8:13: The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.

Now, with this understanding given to me, I came to know two things. First, what it means to possess the fear of the Lord. Secondly, I was walking in the fear of the Lord as a young Christian, not even knowing it. I separated myself from evil and even hated to witness it from others.

Read the Bible in such a way as to look for answers and to receive understanding from the Lord.

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Donna Williams Supporter

Breanna, I believe we are free to choose where to start reading the Bible. I would say that how we interpret it is more important than where we start. 

The Apostle Paul instructed Timothy, in 2 Timothy 2:15 with these words, "Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." NKJV

For example, the Old Testament, which includes the four Gospels, was written to the Jews, and the New Testament, which began after Christ's death, who is now seated on the right hand of majesty, is written to Jews and Gentiles. 

We are under the New Covenant of God's grace, where Jew and Gentile are now one because of what Jesus has done for us. 

Hebrews chapter 9, verses 15-17 reads as follows: "And for this reason He (Jesus) is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.

"For where there is a testament, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.

"For a testament is in force after men are dead, since it has no power at all while the testator lives." You can read the entire chapter for context and clarity.

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