Given the sheer size of the Bible and the number of different books in the Bible, new Christians are often unsure of which books of the Bible to read first.
They aren’t sure if they should start at the very beginning and read all the way through to the end…reading the Old Testament first and the New Testament second…or if they should read the New Testament first and then read the Old Testament second…or, if they should skip around and read the different books of the Bible in some other order.
So, this blog post offers a recommended reading sequence…in a skipping around format…that the new Christian can use to expand their knowledge of God and His spiritual truth.
In particular, this recommended reading sequence is organized and arranged so that the new Christian can begin reading the books of the Bible in a way that:
• Is easiest to understand
• Answers the most important questions that new Christians have
• Reveals important truths that God wants the new Christian to know
• Explains how a Christian should live their life on a daily basis
• Reveals the nature of God
• Explains the work, purpose, and gift of Jesus Christ
Now, you are ready for the list. It is recommended that the new Christian begin reading the books of the Bible in the following order (if you are not sure where to find a particular book, just look it up in the table of contents at the beginning of your Bible):
1. John (Find out who Jesus Christ is. Learn about the nature of God and His will for humankind.)
2. I John (Learn about how to get in right relationship with God. Learn about how to live as a Christian. Learn about blessings the Christian receives from God.)
3. III John (Discover the good that God wishes for you to have in your life. More about how to live as a Christian.)
4. I Peter (Get more detailed guidance on how to live as a Christian. Learn what to do in “tough” times and how to get through “problems”. Discover that God is watching over you and listening for your prayers.)
5. II Peter (Learn about the “character” of a Christian. Beware of ungodly people and those who forsake God’s truth and righteousness. Learn more about the nature of God.)
6. James (Find out how to get wisdom. Learn about overcoming temptation and the consequences of giving into temptation Learn about where goodness comes from. Discover what true “religion” is. Learn how to interact with people. Learn how to interact with God. Find out what kind of mindset God wants you to have.)
7. Philippians (Learn more about Jesus Christ and who He is and what His position and authority is. Find out how to live a spiritual life. Find out about God’s peace. Discover the right way to use your mind.)
8. Colossians (Learn about being a fruitful Christian. Learn about how we are redeemed through Jesus Christ. Learn about Christian family life.)
9. Ephesians (Learn about the forgiveness of sins. Learn about God’s mighty power given to us through Jesus Christ. Discover just how much God will do for you. Learn about how to live as a Christian. Find out about the armor God has given us so that we can overcome.)
10. Matthew (A recording of Jesus Christ’s life, teachings, death, and resurrection.)
11. Mark (A recording of Jesus Christ’s life, teachings, death, and resurrection.)
12. Luke (A recording of Jesus Christ’s life, teachings, death, and resurrection.)
13. Acts (A recording of the early Christian church, the dispensation of the Holy Ghost, God’s works through Christian men and women, and the spread of Christianity throughout the world.)
14. Romans (A rich description of Salvation and the Christian way of living.)
15. Psalms (A tremendous source of encouragement and inspiration for the Christian as well as a deep revelation into the nature of God.)
16. Proverbs (Gain wisdom, knowledge, and understanding from the wisest man who has ever lived.)
17. Read the remaining books in the New Testament from the beginning to the end.
18. Read the remaining books in the Old Testament from the beginning to the end.
19. Read both the Old Testament and the New Testament simultaneously–reading a portion from the Old Testament and a portion from the New Testament each time you read the Bible.
20. Continue reading the Bible on a daily / regular basis in whatever order or arrangement feels most appropriate for you given your current situation, circumstances, and conditions. (You will discover that God’s Spirit has a way of “moving you” to read the scriptures that are most relevant, helpful, and encouraging based upon what is going on in your life at the moment.)
Now, be sure you understand this: God reveals Himself to us in an unfolding, expanding process of spiritual enlightenment over time. The more we read the Bible and pray, the more God reveals Himself to us.
What this means is that as you first begin reading of the Bible, it is likely that there will places where the meaning is not clear–where what you are reading does not make sense to you.
This is normal. When this happens, do not be frustrated. Just keep going. Just keep reading forward. Know that as you continue reading the Bible as outlined above, God will open and expand your understanding and reveal Himself to you in a deeper and richer way.
Also, as you read the Bible, let yourself be excited about and curious about discovering all the things that God has “hidden” in His Word for you to find.
There are amazing secrets and solutions embedded within the Bible…secrets and solutions that are highly relevant to your life…and to the success of your life…both spiritually and naturally…and they are just sitting there…waiting for you to discover them.
With this mentality, reading the Bible will never be hard or boring. Rather, it will be interesting, fun, enjoyable, and pleasant…as God begins revealing Himself and His truths to you in a personal, individual, and specific way.
Lastly, as you read the Bible, begin to notice the joy, peace, contentment, and pleasure you feel by connecting with God through His Word. Begin to notice the difference in how your day goes when you start it by connecting with God through His Word and in prayer. Indeed, you will have found that satisfying “something”…that “missing link”…that the whole world is searching for in all the wrong places.