Where To Begin In The Bible
A Plan for Getting Started that Doesn't Begin at the Beginning
by Rob Armstrong
A number of years ago I decided that I wanted to read through the Bible, so I began a daily reading plan beginning with the book of Genesis. I started out well, but once I got to the middle of the Book of Exodus, I found that the text was becoming more and more difficult to follow due to its legal subject matter and technical terminology. I started to feel like I was reading a book of statutes and limitations from the Harvard Law School library! During the next several days, I realized that I was going through the motions of reading the verses, but with very little comprehension and almost no retention. I kept plodding along however until I reached the long and exhaustive genealogical records in the book of 1 Chronicles. At this point I became discouraged and finally gave up.
Eventually, I started exploring the purpose of the various books of the Bible. What I learned was that some books are more easy to understand for those who are just beginning to read and study the Bible on their own. When I started reading these books (the books that cover the basics), I began to gain a new appreciation for the entire Bible and, at the same time, I was learning the essential truths of the Christian faith for myself. If you have had a similar experience to what I described above, or if you are just looking for a place to begin reading and studying the Bible, then I encourage you to consider the following reading plan that is based on two of the most basic and essential books in the Bible; the Gospel of John and Paul's Letter to the Romans. These two books are must reading for every Christian and for anyone else who wants to learn what Christians believe. Even if you decide not to use this plan, I highly recommend that you spend a significant amount of time reading and studying the Gospel of John and the Book of Romans because these two books will serve as a reference and foundation for all of your future Bible study. To a large extent, these books explain the meaning of the entire Old Testament, as well as a large portion of the New Testament.
A Two-Part Two-Month Reading Plan
The Gospel of John & Romans
This plan is intended to help you get started on the right track as you read the Bible. It is not a plan for reading through the whole Bible, but it is a great way to begin. Following this plan will typically take 20-25 minutes a day for five days a week over a period of two months. It is designed to fit into a typical Monday through Friday routine. If you happen to miss a day or two of reading during the week, Saturday and Sunday can be used as make up days.
The Gospel of John
John's Gospel - Simple but Profound
The Gospel of John was written for the express purpose of presenting an accurate and easy-to-understand biography of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. For this reason, it is usually the first book that missionaries translate into the languages of people who do not already have the Bible in their native tongue. John’s gospel records several personal interactions and man-on-the-street type interviews with people that Jesus met. It also includes many word pictures and illustrations that are simple to comprehend and yet are profound in their implications. John’s gospel places a strong emphasis on Jesus’ claims of being the Messiah and the Son of God (God's only Son). It was specifically written so that we would personally believe on Him and receive the free gift of eternal life (see John 20:31). In spite of the significance and critical importance of this book to the Christian faith, as well as to our own personal relationship to Jesus Christ, most people, whether they claim to be “Christian” or not, have only a surface understanding of its message and meaning.
Gospel of John Reading Schedule
Month #1
Week 1:
Read John chapters 1-5
Week 2:
Read John chapters 6-10
Week 3:
Read John chapters 11-15
Week 4:
Read John chapters 16-21
Remember to read slowly and thoughtfully, giving careful attention to the author’s intended meaning by considering the words, sentences and the overall context. Keep in mind that John is presenting a biography (an historical narrative) of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. And don’t forget his stated purpose for writing: “These are written that you might believe that Jesus is the Christ the Son of God and that believing you may have life through his name” (John 20:31). As you read, write down any questions that you have. You may submit your questions to us at any time and we will do our best to answer them based on the truth of the Bible.
The Book of Romans
The Foundation for Understanding the Whole Bible
The Book of Romans is systematic and comprehensive. It was written to present the most essential truths of Christianity. Romans explains much of what is found in the Old Testament, as well as the four New Testament Gospels and the Book of Acts. For this reason, it will serve as a basis for all of your future Bible study.
Book of Romans - Reading Schedule
Month #2
Week 1:
Read through Romans chapters 1-4 at least two times during this week.
Then read Romans 3:19-4:5 again.
Chapters 1-4 provide a logical, systematic and comprehensive presentation of the most important truths in the entire Bible. Romans 3:19-4:5 (which is a small portion of these chapters) has been described as “the greatest section in all of the Bible”.
Week 2:
Read through Romans chapters 5-8 at least two times during this week.
These chapters teach us about our exalted position in Christ (i.e., our new identity in him) and provide practical principles for how to live the Christian life. They explain our new relationship to the Old Testament Law and the 10 Commandments, as well as how to live under the power and influence of the Holy Spirit.
Week 3:
Read through Romans chapters 9-11 at least two times during this week.
These chapters teach us about God’s ultimate plan for the nation of Israel and the Gentiles. As a result, they shed a great amount of light on Old Testament prophecy and future prophetic events.
Week 4:
Read through Romans chapters 12-16 at least 2 times during this week.
These chapters are filled with practical advice for living the Christian life in a secular world.
Remember to read slowly and thoughtfully, giving careful attention to the author’s intended meaning by considering the words, sentences and the overall context. As you read, write down any questions that you have. You may submit your questions to us at any time and we will do our best to answer them based on the truth of the Bible.
A Plan for Getting Started that Doesn't Begin at the Beginning
by Rob Armstrong
A number of years ago I decided that I wanted to read through the Bible, so I began a daily reading plan beginning with the book of Genesis. I started out well, but once I got to the middle of the Book of Exodus, I found that the text was becoming more and more difficult to follow due to its legal subject matter and technical terminology. I started to feel like I was reading a book of statutes and limitations from the Harvard Law School library! During the next several days, I realized that I was going through the motions of reading the verses, but with very little comprehension and almost no retention. I kept plodding along however until I reached the long and exhaustive genealogical records in the book of 1 Chronicles. At this point I became discouraged and finally gave up.
Eventually, I started exploring the purpose of the various books of the Bible. What I learned was that some books are more easy to understand for those who are just beginning to read and study the Bible on their own. When I started reading these books (the books that cover the basics), I began to gain a new appreciation for the entire Bible and, at the same time, I was learning the essential truths of the Christian faith for myself. If you have had a similar experience to what I described above, or if you are just looking for a place to begin reading and studying the Bible, then I encourage you to consider the following reading plan that is based on two of the most basic and essential books in the Bible; the Gospel of John and Paul's Letter to the Romans. These two books are must reading for every Christian and for anyone else who wants to learn what Christians believe. Even if you decide not to use this plan, I highly recommend that you spend a significant amount of time reading and studying the Gospel of John and the Book of Romans because these two books will serve as a reference and foundation for all of your future Bible study. To a large extent, these books explain the meaning of the entire Old Testament, as well as a large portion of the New Testament.
A Two-Part Two-Month Reading Plan
The Gospel of John & Romans
This plan is intended to help you get started on the right track as you read the Bible. It is not a plan for reading through the whole Bible, but it is a great way to begin. Following this plan will typically take 20-25 minutes a day for five days a week over a period of two months. It is designed to fit into a typical Monday through Friday routine. If you happen to miss a day or two of reading during the week, Saturday and Sunday can be used as make up days.
The Gospel of John
John's Gospel - Simple but Profound
The Gospel of John was written for the express purpose of presenting an accurate and easy-to-understand biography of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. For this reason, it is usually the first book that missionaries translate into the languages of people who do not already have the Bible in their native tongue. John’s gospel records several personal interactions and man-on-the-street type interviews with people that Jesus met. It also includes many word pictures and illustrations that are simple to comprehend and yet are profound in their implications. John’s gospel places a strong emphasis on Jesus’ claims of being the Messiah and the Son of God (God's only Son). It was specifically written so that we would personally believe on Him and receive the free gift of eternal life (see John 20:31). In spite of the significance and critical importance of this book to the Christian faith, as well as to our own personal relationship to Jesus Christ, most people, whether they claim to be “Christian” or not, have only a surface understanding of its message and meaning.
Gospel of John Reading Schedule
Month #1
Week 1:
Read John chapters 1-5
Week 2:
Read John chapters 6-10
Week 3:
Read John chapters 11-15
Week 4:
Read John chapters 16-21
Remember to read slowly and thoughtfully, giving careful attention to the author’s intended meaning by considering the words, sentences and the overall context. Keep in mind that John is presenting a biography (an historical narrative) of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. And don’t forget his stated purpose for writing: “These are written that you might believe that Jesus is the Christ the Son of God and that believing you may have life through his name” (John 20:31). As you read, write down any questions that you have. You may submit your questions to us at any time and we will do our best to answer them based on the truth of the Bible.
The Book of Romans
The Foundation for Understanding the Whole Bible
The Book of Romans is systematic and comprehensive. It was written to present the most essential truths of Christianity. Romans explains much of what is found in the Old Testament, as well as the four New Testament Gospels and the Book of Acts. For this reason, it will serve as a basis for all of your future Bible study.
Book of Romans - Reading Schedule
Month #2
Week 1:
Read through Romans chapters 1-4 at least two times during this week.
Then read Romans 3:19-4:5 again.
Chapters 1-4 provide a logical, systematic and comprehensive presentation of the most important truths in the entire Bible. Romans 3:19-4:5 (which is a small portion of these chapters) has been described as “the greatest section in all of the Bible”.
Week 2:
Read through Romans chapters 5-8 at least two times during this week.
These chapters teach us about our exalted position in Christ (i.e., our new identity in him) and provide practical principles for how to live the Christian life. They explain our new relationship to the Old Testament Law and the 10 Commandments, as well as how to live under the power and influence of the Holy Spirit.
Week 3:
Read through Romans chapters 9-11 at least two times during this week.
These chapters teach us about God’s ultimate plan for the nation of Israel and the Gentiles. As a result, they shed a great amount of light on Old Testament prophecy and future prophetic events.
Week 4:
Read through Romans chapters 12-16 at least 2 times during this week.
These chapters are filled with practical advice for living the Christian life in a secular world.
Remember to read slowly and thoughtfully, giving careful attention to the author’s intended meaning by considering the words, sentences and the overall context. As you read, write down any questions that you have. You may submit your questions to us at any time and we will do our best to answer them based on the truth of the Bible.
