Where and how to start? The Bible is a whole library, and anyone can get lost in it on the first (even second and third) reading...
Such a library is not easy to read from A to Z (or from Α to Ω), that is, from the first book of Genesis to the last book of Revelation of John. If you want to eat the Bible and not drown in it at the same time, I offer a clear plan for how to do it!
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The Bible in a Nutshell 🎲
The Old Testament speaks from the beginning that we are lost somewhere in our life stories. But he promises that God will find a solution. Although the Old Testament stories are full of human loss, God does not give up on people. And in the end, he prepares an ingenious plan.
In the New Testament there is a solution: it describes Jesus' life, death, and his work after death. People are finally finding the way to God they once lost... to this day!
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Spiritual preparation 🙏
In order for the Bible to speak fresh into our lives and thus overcome the temporal and cultural gap from the time it was written to the 21st century, we cannot do without prayer. When opening the Bible, we turn to God to guide us in reading. You can pray like this:
Dear God, I'm opening a book of stories about how you met people in history. Please meet me on her website. Open my heart and mind. Give me patience as I search for answers, and joy when I experience that the story of the Bible is your letter for my life in what I am experiencing right now. Amen.
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Like in Star Wars: Start in the Middle đź“š
The Bible is a volume of two parts: the Old and New Testaments, in which the entire library is hidden. The entire Bible culminates in the New Testament story of Jesus. That is why it is crucial to first get to know Jesus and his story.
Therefore, I recommend starting with the Gospel in the New Testament: from the shortest Mark through Matthew, John (with the nipple of John's first leaf) to Luke, which continues the “after Christ” stories in the book of Acts of the Apostles. The different representations of the Gospels help us to perceive Jesus not unilaterally, but as if in 3D always according to the intention of the given author.
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Here we go: Gospel of Mark
The story of Jesus in Mark's submission is the earliest and shortest. It is the ancient “biography” of Jesus, in which Mark seeks to present Jesus as the “Son of God,” that is, someone who represents God on earth to such an extent that he is God himself. Mark's Gospel is quick, concise, and full of action — try reading it so that you can get caught up in the action and really think about what it means to follow Jesus. When you come across passages that you still do not understand, go ahead and follow the main story. There will be enough time for deeper study.
When we read the biblical narrative, we ask four main questions:
- What's going on here? (Who are the main characters in this passage? What events are taking place? What does Jesus say or do?
- What does that tell me about Jesus? (How does Jesus manifest here, his power, love, authority, humility...? What message do his words and actions bring? How do people react to him?)
- What does this mean for me? (Is there a challenge to my life in this story? What could I do differently if I took it seriously? How should I *and* respond to Jesus' call to faith?)
- How can I live by that? (How does this story affect my day-to-day decision-making? What would I *have* to change in my actions, thinking, or attitudes? How can I share this truth with others?)
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Again and Different: The Gospel of Matthew
Why read the same thing again, but differently? Because in the story of Jesus lies the key to who God really is, and by knowing the Gospels we will have a better understanding of God's actions in the rest of the Bible.
Matthew's version of the Gospel brings a new perspective on Jesus and his Jewish roots: Jesus is the promised “messiah,” that is, the one set apart for a special mission. Matthew writes for Jewish readers, so he often refers to the Old Testament. When you see “to fulfill scripture”, stop and try to understand how Jesus fulfills God's promises. Stop by his teachings, especially during Sermon on the Mount (Chapters 5-7)where Jesus shows us how to live. What does it mean to be a disciple of Jesus?
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Mystic Jan
The third version of the Gospel, which I recommend reading, is recorded in John's submission. John presents a new view of Jesus from God's perspective. The Gospel of John is considered to be the most beautiful and profound. As you read this Gospel, think about how it would affect my outlook on life if it were true?
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To jump to 1. Letter of John
Now it's time for a little digression. Make a list of 1. John's letter. This is not a narrative, but a letter to Christians that is full of practical Christianity. The stories of the Bible are linked here in John's motto: “God is love.” God always cares for man. Our relationship with him is manifested in the fact that we, too, care for others with love. This letter is the heart of the biblical letters.
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The Last Four Gospels: Luke
Luke presents the story of Jesus to his fellow Gentiles in two books: in this Gospel he deals with Jesus' ministry, with a special focus on people on the margins of society. Luke was a physician and historian who took pains to accurately record Jesus' life based on eyewitness testimony. Pay attention to the details that Luke wrote down, and the emphasis on compassion and joy.
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To be continued: Acts of the Apostles
What happened after Jesus? Luke, as an ancient historian, continues his story by describing the history of the early church “after Christ”. It focuses not only on the historical record of history, but above all on the action of God through the Holy Spirit. We are also in the “after Christ” stage. Notice how God acts, what He invites His followers to do, and ask if He is somehow inviting you to work together.
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In the Beginning: Genesis
Skipping over the complex letters left to us in the New Testament, we plunge into the Old Testament straight from the beginning. It is said that in the first book of Moses, or the book of Genesis, we find all the important topics for our lives: where and where we are going, or how to find forgiveness and meaning in connection with God. Keep in mind that these stories are older than the ones about Jesus. Some parts will be more challenging and complicated. Try to look at them from the perspective of what you have already learned about Jesus. The God of the Old Testament is the same as the God in the New Testament.
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Set Me Free: Exodus (Chapters 1—20)
The stories of God's kindness continue the famous story with Moses. People toil at work, enslaved to the system until God brings them to freedom. Stop under Mount Sinai, listen to the Ten Commandments, and then continue reading other books according to your taste!
Noteworthy are the five-volume book of Psalms, which is full of personal prayers, or the New Testament Letter to the Romans on faith. Other stories can be found in the book of Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 and 2. Samuel's, 1 and 2. Royal, Esther or Daniel.
