What Book Of The Bible Should I Read? A Detailed Guide
With 66 books contained in the Bible, it can be overwhelming trying to decide where to start reading God’s Word. If you’re looking for answers on the best book of the Bible to begin with, this comprehensive guide has you covered.
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: The Gospel of John is a great book of the Bible for new believers or anyone looking for an inspirational place to start reading the Bible.
Its narrative style and focus on the life and teachings of Jesus make it very accessible and impactful.
Where to Start Reading the Bible
The Bible is a large book with 66 smaller books inside it. With so much content, it can be overwhelming to figure out where to start reading. Here are three great places for beginners:
The Gospels
The Gospels – Matthew, Mark, Luke and John – are biographies of Jesus’s life and ministry. Reading them gives you a solid understanding of the core of Christianity. Most experts recommend starting with the Gospel of John, which uses simple language to convey profound concepts.
Acts of the Apostles
This book comes right after the four Gospels and provides an action-packed account of the early Christian church. It’s inspiring to read how the first believers spread the faith throughout the world despite persecution.
Psalms and Proverbs
Psalms is a collection of 150 songs and prayers, while Proverbs contains wise sayings. Both books are very accessible. The Psalms provide comfort and joy, while Proverbs give remarkably relevant advice for daily living.
The Gospels, Acts and Psalms/Proverbs make an excellent trio to begin your Bible reading habit. They orient you to the overall Biblical story, the life of Jesus, the early church, and practical wisdom – all in an easy-to-understand format.
Once you’ve read these, you’ll be ready to tackle more advanced books!
Best Books of the Bible for New Believers
The Gospel of John
The Gospel of John is a great place for new believers to start reading the Bible. John focuses on the deity and mission of Jesus Christ in a simple, straightforward manner. The purpose as stated in John 20:31 is “that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.”
John uses several miracles of Jesus (turning water into wine, healing the official’s son, feeding the 5,000, walking on water, healing the blind man, and raising Lazarus from the dead) to demonstrate that Jesus is the Messiah and Son of God.
John also records several powerful conversations where Jesus declares Himself to be the Bread of Life (6:35), the Light of the World (8:12), the Good Shepherd (10:11), the Resurrection and the Life (11:25), the Way, the Truth, and the Life (14:6), and the True Vine (15:1).
The simplicity, clarity, and depth of John make it an excellent book for new believers.
The Book of Philippians
Philippians is a short, practical book that encourages joy and maturity in Christ. Written by the apostle Paul, the book of Philippians encourages believers to rejoice in the Lord (Philippians 3:1, 4:4) and to keep growing in grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ (Philippians 1:6, 3:12-14).
Paul shares his own examples of rejoicing in suffering and persevering in godly living that we can follow. Key passages like Philippians 2:5-11 describe the humility and exaltation of Christ and Philippians 4:6-7 teaches us how to pray rather than be anxious.
Philippians 4:8 gives an excellent checklist for spiritual meditation. The warmth of Paul’s friendship with the Philippian believers and their partnership in the gospel shines through this letter, making it easy for new believers to follow Paul’s instructions and example.
The Book of James
James is a practical book full of wise advice for Christians, focused on applying one’s faith through good works and controlling one’s speech, especially the tongue (James 3:1-12). As the brother of Jesus, James wrote authoritatively to believers as someone who personally knew Jesus.
The book of James emphasizes that genuine saving faith will always be accompanied by good works as evidence (James 2:14-26). Some key passages include James 1:2-4 on joy in trials, James 1:19-20 on being quick to hear and slow to speak, James 4:6-10 on humbling ourselves before God, and James 5:13-18 on prayer and praying for one another.
James deals very bluntly with worldliness among believers and calls us to wholehearted faith in Christ. The practical wisdom James shares makes this short New Testament book engaging and profitable for new believers studying the Bible.
Helpful Tips for Reading and Understanding the Bible
Pray before reading
Before opening your Bible, take a few moments to quiet your heart and mind and ask God to speak to you. Even a short prayer inviting the Holy Spirit to guide you and give you wisdom is powerful. This simple act of humility demonstrates your desire to encounter God through his word.
Read a little bit each day
Don’t try to tackle huge sections of Scripture at once. Taking small bites and chewing slowly is far better for meditation, comprehension and application. Set aside 10-15 minutes each day to read a passage, reflect on it, and apply it to your life. Consistency is key!
Find a reading plan
Using a pre-designed Bible reading plan can add structure and keep you on track. Plans vary from reading the Bible chronologically to focusing on certain topics or books. Find one that fits your goal – whether it’s reading through the whole Bible in a year or studying a specific book more intensively.
Apps like YouVersion make it easy to follow a plan.
Join a Bible study group
Studying the Bible alone is valuable, but God also intends for us to learn together in community. Attending a Bible study with thoughtful teachers and discussions can help you gain new insights. Fellow group members can keep you accountable and encourage you along the way.
Use study tools and resources
Look for resources to enhance your understanding as you read. A good study Bible, online reference tools, thematic study Bibles, or a commentary can provide historical context, explain confusing passages, and point you to related verses.
God gave us his word, but he also gave teachers to help us comprehend it (Ephesians 4:11).
Conclusion
With a better understanding of where to start and helpful tips for comprehending God’s Word, you can begin an incredible journey through the pages of the Bible. Whether you’re a new believer or have been studying the Bible for years, there’s always more to learn about God’s love and plan for humanity.
Pick up your Bible today and start reading!
