What should I read in the Bible?

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LydiaW

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What are your favorite verses in the bible? I want to read everything that anyone thinks would be helpful to someone starting out as a Catholic. I just got my bible on Nov. 20th, for my Rite of Acceptance. So, since I haven’t read the bible in years, I would like some scriptures to study that you think would help me in my faith, or is just a good read.
 
Since you presumably have a Catholic Bible, you have the Deuterocanonical Books of the Old Testament. I highly reccommend the Book of Tobit (Tobias in some older versions). It’s an excellent story and only takes about a half hour to an hour to read.

-ACEGC
 
I always recommend reading a Gospel first. The Gospel of John and then continue on to the book of Acts.
 
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LydiaW:
What are your favorite verses in the bible? I want to read everything that anyone thinks would be helpful to someone starting out as a Catholic. I just got my bible on Nov. 20th, for my Rite of Acceptance. So, since I haven’t read the bible in years, I would like some scriptures to study that you think would help me in my faith, or is just a good read.
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On my Catholic Scripture Study webpage (linked below), I wrote an article that addresses this very question. The webpage also includes many helps to get you started. I humbly invite you to visit it. 🙂
 
I really recommend having a study guide of some sort while you are reading the Bible. It helps to understand the history of the book, who it was written by and to, etc.

There is a great online Bible study that has several levels at www.salvationhistory.com

There is also a great daily scripture guide you can order at www.godswordtoday.com
 
Lydia,
All of it! Every verse! I agree with Didi on the salvation history website (actually the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology). They have a number of FREE online courses which look REALLY good. Scott Hahn is the moving force behind this website and I find his exegesis very useful. I plan to put my kids through these courses after we finish the Baltimore Catechism.
 
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LydiaW:
So, since I haven’t read the bible in years, I would like some scriptures to study that you think would help me in my faith, or is just a good read.
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begin with Mark’s gospel, you can read it in one or two sittings, just read it first as you would a novel for the story, it reads more like a Hemingway short novella. don’ t read the foot notes or a commentary the first time through.

then read the first 5 chapters of the acts of the apostles just to see how Christians lived in the first century.
 
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LydiaW:
What are your favorite verses in the bible? I want to read everything that anyone thinks would be helpful to someone starting out as a Catholic. I just got my bible on Nov. 20th, for my Rite of Acceptance. So, since I haven’t read the bible in years, I would like some scriptures to study that you think would help me in my faith, or is just a good read.
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I would give a high recommendation to The Sermon on the Mount, Mathew Chapters 5-7. It isn’t a casual read but it is full of rich ideas.

peace

-Jim
 
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LydiaW:
What are your favorite verses in the bible? I want to read everything that anyone thinks would be helpful to someone starting out as a Catholic. I just got my bible on Nov. 20th, for my Rite of Acceptance. So, since I haven’t read the bible in years, I would like some scriptures to study that you think would help me in my faith, or is just a good read.
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Lydia:

Most people usually suggest to start with a Gospel. The Gospel of Mark is probably the easiest. St. Luke has provided a 2 volume starter set with the Gospel of Luke and the Book of Acts.

You could also use the Lectionary, which provides a set of daily readings that the Church feels will give you the Whole of the Gospel over 3 years - Use the USCCB Site:
usccb.org/nab/index.htm
or these other sites:
members.cox.net/fidelis927/
dailygospel.org/

And, a few of us are posting readings over here:

Sunday Scripture Readings Discussion: 12/4/05
forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=87431

If no one else posts readings there, I’ll be posting for the rest of Advent, and that should be enough to get you started.

If that still doesn’t do it, get a copy of My Daily Catholic Bible, which is an RSV-CE (OK for Catholics and endorsed by my friend Fr. Fessio) which is divided into a year’s worth of readings.

I don’t want to step on anyone’s toes, but the Gospel of John is something I wouldn’t have someone tackle who wasn’t in a class with a trustworthy (read orthodox) instructor. Whatever you do, find someone who is trustworthy (can be someone here on the board) to walk you through it for awhile, or join a discussion group geared to people who are like yourself (the members/cox link I gave you is just that kind of group).

I hope that helps.

Have a good time. There are riches in that book, “More than much fine Gold, and seater than honey from the honeycomb.”

In Christ, Michael
 
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