Embedded Files
WORK IN PROGRESS - projected completion date: someday
Reading His Word
"And it shall be with him,
and he shall read therein all the days of his life:
that he may learn to fear the Lord his God,
to keep all the words of this law
and these statutes, to do them."
Deuteronomy 17:19
As I read the Word of God, He speaks to me and encourages me to keep reading and keep learning more. I often just ask God to show me what He wants me to know before I open my Bible. Every time I do, I open to a chapter on a subject that is on my heart. Reading the Word of God is a way to know Him better. Not just because He wrote it, but because He speaks through it. You develop a deeper understanding with God through His Word.
Seek God’s Voice by Reading the Bible
Beginning your journey to get right with God is a profound experience. As you start, one of the first and most essential steps is to engage with the Word of God through the Holy Bible.
Acquiring Your Guide
One of the first things to do after accepting Jesus into your heart is to obtain your own copy of the Holy Bible. The Bible is divided into two main sections: the Old Testament and the New Testament. The Old Testament lays the foundation for understanding God's relationship with Israel where the focus is on His covenant with His chosen people and prophecies of the coming Messiah. The New Testament centers on the life, teachings, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Messiah, and the establishment of the Christian church.
The Old Testament is primarily written in Hebrew. The New Testament is written in Greek. The "Dead Sea Scrolls" were found near the Dead Sea in Israel about 50 years ago. The Dead Sea scrolls were written thousands of years ago. Compared to the Dead Sea Scrolls, I found that the most accurate translation is the original King James Version. However, in my life, I have used several translations and study bibles, depending on what I had available at the time. At this initial stage, don't be overly concerned about the specific translation of the Bible you acquire. But, if you can’t understand the old English of King James Version, or don’t have easy access to such, don’t worry about the particular translation right now. Different translations aim to balance accuracy to the original languages with readability in contemporary English. The most important thing is to have a Bible that you can understand and engage with. If procuring a Bible is currently difficult, your local church is an excellent resource. Many churches have Bibles available to lend or give to those who are beginning their spiritual journey.
Which book in the Bible should I read first?
To learn about Jesus, I recommend starting with the Gospel of John in the New Testament. To learn more about God’s Chosen People, I recommend starting with the Books of Esther, Job, and Genesis. These are merely starting points, and as you grow in your faith, you will be drawn to explore other parts of the Bible as well. The key is to begin reading, to allow the words to speak to your heart, and to seek understanding through prayer and reflection. The Bible is a living book, and it has the power to transform your life as you engage with its truths. And within these chapters I hope to teach you how I communicated with God.
Why should I read the Bible? What does God want from me?
God desires to be a friend to us. He wants us to rely on Him… to trust Him… to laugh with Him… to walk with Him… to tell him what we care about. God wants each of us to be his child with child-like faith and with reliance completely in Him.
Walking the Walk:
Walking with God ~ Reading His Word
Think about what moved you in this section. Or perhaps something you learned or want to know more about. What are some practical things you can ask God for in your prayers to Him?
Possible things to pray for (in case you need ideas!).
- Help making time in the Word a priority in my life
- Revelation of God’s character as I read His Word
- Strength to keep reading even if I am tired
- Wisdom to ask God to take gentle care of me, as he will do nothing unless we ask
Note of caution: don’t pray for these opportunities all at once. Going slow is recommended, especially if you are healing from a hurt. In this case, ask God to take it slow with the opportunities, so you can ramp up to the one he created you to be, in such a time as this.
Page updated
Report abuse