Best way to read Bible?

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My advice is to start with Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, and Acts. These are known as the Gospels 🙂

If you don’t understand what the scripture is saying, write down your questions and look for answers, a good place to look for answers is here at Catholic Answers, or even the Catechism!

Happy Reading!
BVMFatima
 
I would defiantly find a study Bible(Catholic) so you don’t misinterpret the text, BUT imo the best way to read the Bible is by doing Lectio Divina

ocarm.org/en/content/lectio/what-lectio-divina

^

God bless you and i happy readings (: Remember by reading the Holy Bible is one of the ways God loves to speak to us, it is His Word after all.
 
BVMFatima said:
My advice is to start with Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, and Acts. These are known as the Gospels 🙂

If you don’t understand what the scripture is saying, write down your questions and look for answers, a good place to look for answers is here at Catholic Answers, or even the Catechism!

Happy Reading!
BVMFatima
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This…
 
What about the bit i linked to. Reading some OT and NT and Psalm every day?
 
ajecphotos said:
What about the bit i linked to. Reading some OT and NT and Psalm every day?
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That would be a good idea; perhaps, when you start reading, you could read the first chapter of Genesis, the first chapter of Matthew, and then the first Psalm? Just an idea of mine. 🙂
 
BVMFatima said:
My advice is to start with Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, and Acts. These are known as the Gospels 🙂

If you don’t understand what the scripture is saying, write down your questions and look for answers, a good place to look for answers is here at Catholic Answers, or even the Catechism!

Happy Reading!
BVMFatima
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This is a good way. I would add one more thing…a pencil. Underline what seems striking to you, or in some way seems to hit home with you. Maybe once in a while add a note in the margin that may add some meaning.

Go where there is a table and quiet.

Just some thoughts.
 
ajecphotos said:
I have never read the bible and was wondering what ids the best way to do so?

I have read about doing a daily set of reading, like 1 from the OT 1 from NT and a psalm, like this;

biblestudytools.com/bible-reading-plan/classic.html

Anyone able to advise?
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That sounds much like Daily Mass! At the back of every Catholic Bible, there is a list of the daily readings for each cycle (we read through the Bible using a 3 year cycle, A, B and C. there will also be a list of which years are which ‘cycle’), so you could use that as a guide. There is an iPad app that lets you listen to the daily Mass readings…it’s called ‘The Word of God’ appfinder.lisisoft.com/app/the-word-of-god.html👍

I agree with having a study bible too…it helps tie the old and new together and helps the reader understand the historical context of the ‘story’…Happy Reading! 👍
 
ajecphotos said:
I have never read the bible and was wondering what ids the best way to do so?

I have read about doing a daily set of reading, like 1 from the OT 1 from NT and a psalm, like this;

biblestudytools.com/bible-reading-plan/classic.html

Anyone able to advise?
Click to expand...
The Bible is quite a big book. If you have not read it, like any other book, you may first of all, want to read the Bible from the beginning to the end. That way you have an overview of the Bible. It is actually a kind of a record of God’s action throughout the ages with his people. Once you have an idea of the Bible or rather what God have done to His people, then you may want to study in depth certain books of the Bible that might interest you. Discussing the Bible with other interested persons would be helpful to sustain deeper interest and practical understanding of what the Bible means to its readers.
 
Thanks people.

Still confused as so much advice out there.

I want to learn the word of god, to digest it not just read it. Trying to come up with the best way of doing that. Lots of Bible reading plans available.
 
ajecphotos said:
Thanks people.

Still confused as so much advice out there.

I want to learn the word of god, to digest it not just read it. Trying to come up with the best way of doing that. Lots of Bible reading plans available.
Click to expand...
Didn’t go to Bible college or formal Bible study. The only way I read the Bible because I came to love the word of God and perhaps taught by the Holy Spirit. I came to realise that my knowledge of the Bible is as good as how much I practice it.

The most practical way for me is to refer to the footnotes in the Bible. Bible commentaries and concordance are very much of help too.
 
Maybe this will just complicate matters. But, I will say it anyway.

The Church advises to read the Bible (wherever you start) alongside a commentary that will help explain what you’re reading.

A more direct answer to your question may be for you to investigate the Bible Timeline series by Jeff Cavens. Study materials available at ewtn.com in the religious catalogue.

That will direct you to read the Bible starting at the beginning, with Genesis.

without a commentary to guide you, you may bog down quickly with questions about modern science versus scripture, how creation happened.

I’d say, forget the “Bible in a year” reading plan. You may want to satisfy yourself with one book at a time, so that it makes sense as you go along, no matter how long it takes.

If you were stranded on an island with only one book, the Bible, you might read it over and over until it started to make sense to you. Thankfully, you can talk with a priest or a Catholic religious education director to give you some help with your reading.

Pope Benedict has written, for example, that Jesus Christ is the focus of all scripture. It might be hard to convince yourself of that without some assistance outside of the Bible itself. Jews would argue that the Old Testament (the Hebrew Scriptures) have nothing to do with Jesus. You need some qualified guidance with the Bible itself. You won’t get it just reading posts here.

Your question is debated here all the time, over and over.
 
A key distinction between Catholics and Christians is the view of the Bible. Catholics view the Bible as having equal authority with the Church and tradition. Christians view the Bible as the supreme authority for faith and practice. The question is, how does the Bible present itself? Second Timothy 3:16-17 tells us, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” This text tells us that Scripture is not “just the beginning,” or “just the basics,” or the “foundation for a more complete church tradition.” On the contrary, Scripture is perfectly and fully sufficient for everything in the Christian life. Scripture can teach us, rebuke us, correct us, train us, and equip us. “Bible Christians” do not deny the value of church tradition. Rather, Christians uphold that for a church tradition to be valid, it must be based on the clear teaching of Scripture and must be in full agreement with Scripture. Catholic friend, study the Word of God for yourself. In God’s Word you will find God’s description of, and intention for, His Church. Second Timothy 2:15 declares, “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.”

A second key difference between Catholics and Bible Christians is the understanding of how we can approach God. Catholics tend to approach God through intermediaries, such as Mary or the saints. Christians approach God directly, offering prayers to no one other than God Himself. The Bible proclaims that we ourselves can approach God’s throne of grace with boldness (Hebrews 4:16). The Bible is perfectly clear that God desires us to pray to Him, to have communication with Him, to ask Him for the things we need (Philippians 4:6; Matthew 7:7-8; 1 John 5:14-15). There is no need for mediators or intermediaries, as Christ is our one and only mediator (1 Timothy 2:5), and both Christ and the Holy Spirit are already interceding on our behalf (Romans 8:26-27; Hebrews 7:25). Catholic friend, God loves you intimately and has provided an open door to direct communication through Jesus.

The most crucial difference between Catholics and Bible Christians is on the issue of salvation. Catholics view salvation almost entirely as a process, while Christians view salvation as both a completed status and a process. Catholics see themselves as “being saved,” while Christians view themselves as “having been saved.” First Corinthians 1:2 says, “To those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be holy.” The words “sanctified” and “holy” come from the same Greek root. This verse is declaring that Christians are both sanctified and called to be sanctified. The Bible presents salvation as a gift that is received the moment a person places faith in Jesus Christ as Savior (John 3:16). When a person receives Christ as Savior, he/she is justified (declared righteous – Romans 5:9), redeemed (rescued from slavery to sin – 1 Peter 1:18), reconciled (achieving peace with God – Romans 5:1), sanctified (set apart for God’s purposes – 1 Corinthians 6:11), and born again as a new creation (1 Peter 1:23; 2 Corinthians 5:17). Each of these is fully accomplished at the moment of salvation. Christians are then called to live out practically (called to be holy) what is already true positionally (sanctified).

The Catholic viewpoint is that salvation is received by faith, but then must be “maintained” by good works and participation in the Sacraments. Bible Christians do not deny the importance of good works or that Christ calls us to observe the ordinances in remembrance of Him and in obedience to Him. The difference is that Christians view these things as the result of salvation, not a requirement for salvation or a means of maintaining salvation. Salvation is an accomplished work, purchased by the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ (1 John 2:2). God offers us salvation and assurance of salvation because Jesus’ sacrifice was fully, completely, and perfectly sufficient. If we receive God’s precious gift of salvation, we can know that we are saved. First John 5:13 declares, “I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.”

We can know that we have eternal life, and we can have assurance of our salvation because of the greatness of Christ’s sacrifice. Christ’s sacrifice does not need to be re-offered or re-presented. Hebrews 7:27 says, “He sacrificed for their sins once for all when He offered Himself.” Hebrews 10:10 declares, “We have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” First Peter 3:18 exclaims, “For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God.” Christ’s once-for-all sacrifice was absolutely and perfectly sufficient. Jesus declared on the cross, “It is finished” (John 19:30). Jesus’ atoning sacrifice was the full payment for all of our sins (1 John 2:2). As a result, all of our sins are forgiven, and we are promised eternal life in heaven the moment we receive the gift God offers us – salvation through Jesus Christ (John 3:16).

Catholic friend, do you desire this “so great salvation” (Hebrews 2:6)? If so, all you must do is receive it (John 1:12) through faith (Romans 5:1). God loves us and offers us salvation as a gift (John 3:16). If we receive His grace, by faith, we have salvation as our eternal possession (Ephesians 2:8-9). Once saved, nothing can separate us from His love (Romans 8:38-39). Nothing can remove us from His hand (John 10:28-29). If you desire this salvation, if you desire to have all your sins forgiven, if you desire to have assurance of salvation, if you desire direct access to the God who loves you – receive it, and it is yours. This is the salvation that Jesus died to provide and that God offers as a gift.
 
There are many options on how to read the Bible. I would agree with one poster who suggested beginning in the Gospels, particularly if you are not accustomed to reading Scripture, then move on to some of the NT Epistles. You may want to steer away from things like Leviticus and Numbers and Revelations until you are more skilled at reading and understanding (Numbers can sort of drag on…). Some of the prophetic Books like Revelations and Parts of Daniel can be difficult to understand even for people with training. If your goal is to read the whole Bible, I would recommend a Catholic One Year Bible that has the Bible split into sections with an OT, NT, psalm and wisdom lit. for each day so you can read through the whole Bible in a year. I have done that several times, and find it easier than the cover to cover Genesis to Revelation approach (which I have also done). A good commentary is also helpful for areas that you may have difficulty in understanding.
 
For rellanor:
First of all, I want to say Amen to every verse you quoted from Scripture. As a Catholic, I believe them 100%.
Code: 
"A key distinction between Catholics and Christians is the view of the Bible. Catholics view the Bible as having equal authority with the Church and tradition."
Catholics are Christians, perhaps you didn’t mean to make it sound like we’re not. Regarding tradition, yes Sacred Tradition is just as important as the Bible. Don’t forget it was the Catholic Church, working under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, who settled the question of what books constituents the Canon of Scripture. St. Paul tells the Thessalonians in 2 Thessaly 2:15 “So then brothers and sisters hold fast to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by word of mouth or by our letter.” Then in the next chapter, verse 6 he says to avoid those who are not living according to the tradition that they received from us.
Code: 
 " Second Timothy 3:16-17 tells us, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” "   This is true but it does not say that Scripture alone is sufficient.  Something else to consider here too.  Look at the context in which this verse was written. Back up to verse 15.  St. Paul says "...and how from childhood you have known the Sacred Writings..."  Considering Timothy was as old as St. Paul but more than likely younger, the Sacred Writings St. Paul is referring to are the writings of the Old Testament.   The first writings that would eventually make it into the New Testament weren't written until at least 10-15 years after Christ's resurrection.   


  "Catholic friend, study the Word of God for yourself. In God’s Word you will find God’s description of, and intention for, His Church. Second Timothy 2:15 declares, “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.” "  I have studied it.  In fact I followed the example of the Bereans and studied the Scriptures as a whole with an open mind while investigating the claims the Catholic Church makes.

 
  "A second key difference between Catholics and Bible Christians is the understanding of how we can approach God. Catholics tend to approach God through intermediaries, such as Mary or the saints. "  We know we can approach God directly and we do.  When we ask for the intercession of our Blessed Mother or any of the saints, we are simply doing what Christians everywhere do here on Earth:   asking them to pray for us.  "But they're dead, how can they hear you?" you might ask.  They are in heaven and are more alive than we are.  Our God is the God of the living.  We know from Scripture that there is joy in heaven when someone repents.  The writer of Hebrews tells us we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses in chapter 12 verse 1.  Why can't this cloud of witnesses include those in heaven?  We know full well that only Christ can save us, there is nothing in Catholic teaching that says otherwise.
In the interest of brevity I’ll not cut and paste your section on salvation. I’m guessing you believe in Once Saved Always Saved and my comment here will be based on this assumption. Nowhere in the Bible does itcsay we are 100% completely assured of our salvation simply by praying the Sinner’s Prayer at an altar call or something similar. Yes we can have salvation but this is contingent upon our doing something. Asking Christ to come into our heart and having a personal relationship with Him is of the utmost importance but even when we do that there is one thing that still remains: our inclination to sin. OSAS is not Biblical. True there are some passages that seem to indicate otherwise. The whole picture has to be looked at. St. Paul in 1 Cor9:27 talks about keeping himself in check lest he be disqualified. How can he be disqualified if OSAS is true? Again for brevity’s sake I won’t comment on all these verses: Matt 5:27-30, 6:14,13:41-42,18:23-35, Rom 6:1-6, 11:17-22, Phill 2:12, 1 Cor 10:11-12, Gal 5:4, 2 Tim 2:11-13, Heb 6:4-6, 10:26-27.

Nowhere in the Bible does it say we are saved by faith alone. Matt 19:16-17, John 14:15, 1 Cor 13:2, Gal 5:6, James 2:14-26

I seem to recall in another post you were raised Catholic. If I’m wrong I apologize. But if you were, apparently, through no fault of your own, you were not properly catechised. I urge you to get your Bible and a copy of the Catechism and prayerfully read through the Catechism and look up the Scripture passages as you come across them. I believe you will be pleasantly surprised and enlightened. God Bless you.
 
Every person is different, but I never found it to be the *most *helpful to read a fixed mixture of scripture all at once in one sitting. I’d read one thing and try to understand it. Then read the next thing. For example, read one gospel and try to digest it, such as either Mark or Luke (one is short, one is long). Also, the short books of the bible can be appealing and full of good stuff. In the old testament both Ruth and Jonah are short. In the new testament you could try an epistle, like 1 Peter or Philippians. Try reading one epistle and truly digesting it, even reading it a few times through to get how it all flows and relates.

Also, use scripture at the best time of day. If you are sharp as a tack in the morning, do your thinking reading at that time of day. Then, in the evening, when you are winding down and introspective, read a Psalm, letting it permeate you and lead you to prayer. You will find your rhythm over time. 🙂

And I know it sounds pathetic, but if a particular book of the bible is like slogging for you in the translation you are using, try one with a lower reading level for that particular book. Similarly, if the psalms don’t sing out to you, try a better translation, like the grail version (that is a translation of just the psalms). I don’t get easily sucked into the NAB psalms in one of it’s many versions (it keeps getting revised).
 
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