Monday, September 08, 2008

IN WHAT ORDER SHOULD I READ THE BIBLE?

Is there a right way to read it? Should the books be read in any particular order? Most Churches have printed guides which help parishioners read the Bible. These guides usually mirror the passages shown in missals, the Book of Common Prayer, and Church Prayer Books. Often a passage from the Old Testament is grouped with a passage from the New Testament. Those who know their Bible which books to study for wisdom, the history of the church, etc. However, if you are a new Bible reader, you might not know where to start. Some Christians might suggest you begin with the book of Genesis. Others might suggest you begin with one of the gospels such as the Book of Luke or John. I recommend starting with the gospel of Mark. It is short and accessible and is free of the extra material that might confuse someone who knows little about the Bible.

A reading plan for new Bible readers might be:
The Book of Mark
Hebrews Chapter 11
The Book of Genesis
The First 20 chapters of Exodus
The Book of Romans
The remaining chapters of Exodus
The book of Hebrews

At the same time, read a psalm a day. There are 150 psalms and 30 or so days a month. A method can be worked out. Also read a chapter of the book of Proverbs every day.

Okay, so why do I recommend those books first? Because so much in the old testament gets mentioned in the new testament. Also, folks who read Genesis might not understand why they are reading about all those holy folks.

The Book of Luke
The Book of the Acts of the Apostles
Paul’s letter to the Philipians
Paul’s letter to the Ephesians
The Book of John
Peter’s epistles
John’s three epistles
Job
Paul’s letter to the Ephesians
Paul’s letters to the Corinthians
Jude’s letter
Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians.
Paul’s letters to Timothy and Titus

Then go back to the Jewish Covenant or tanakh or old testament to understand the Law and to understand who King David was:

Joshua, Judges, Ruth
I & II Samuel
Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy
I & II Kings
Paul’s Letter to the Galatians

Then read the poetry:
Song of Solomon
Ecclesiastes


I & II Chronicles
Isaiah
Obadiah
Jonah
Jeremiah
Lamentations
Ezekiel
Daniel, Ezra, Nehemiah,
Haggai and Zechariah
The rest of minor prophets
The Revelation of St John.

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