🌿 Read the Bible in context:

• The Bible is composed of 66 books. Each book of the Bible was written to a specific set of people, and was written as a whole book, not a random set of unrelated verses. So to understand each book properly, you need to understand the setting: who it was written to and why. To understand an individual verse within the book, you need to read several verses before and after that. Simply put, context determines meaning.

• Video: Every Bible Verse People Take Out of Context, Explained (there is also a Part 2 if you want more examples)

• Beware: many people have misrepresented the Bible to accomplish their own goals by quoting one verse by itself to make it seem like it means something that it really doesn't.

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🌿 Where to continue reading the Bible:

• Gospel according to Matthew - Covers both Jesus' actions and teachings. Contains many references back to the Old Testament, showing how Jesus fulfilled the prophecies about the Messiah. Watch the overview part 1 and part 2 before reading the book.

  • ​Or, instead of Matthew, some people find the Gospel according to Luke very helpful. Watch the overview part 1 and part 2 before reading the book.

• ​Acts of the Apostles - How God's Spirit empowered the 12 disciples to spread the Gospel throughout the known world. Watch the overview part 1 and part 2 before reading the book.

• Philippians - A letter the apostle Paul wrote to the church at Philippi several years after he had preached the Gospel there. Paul covers several basic truths that are good for disciples of Jesus to know and follow. Watch the overview before reading the book.

• Ephesians - Another letter Paul wrote to the church at Ephesus several years after he had preached the Gospel there. The purpose of the letter was to remind them of what he taught while he was there, and to teach them additional topics. Watch the overview before reading the book.

• 1 Peter - A letter Peter wrote to Christians who were being persecuted. Peter's primary message is to trust the Lord and live obediently no matter what your circumstances, and keep your hope fixed on God's ultimate promise of deliverance. Watch the overview before reading the book.

• 1 John - A letter the apostle John wrote to Christians to reassure them of the beliefs and actions that are important. He emphasized that we should love people, because "God is love". Watch the overview of all 3 letters of John before reading the book.

 

🌿 Why didn't you initially recommend many books from the old testament?

• The old testament is more difficult to understand correctly for someone new to the Bible, because it does not talk about salvation in Jesus directly, but rather it covers God's preceding words and actions that eventually lead to Jesus. Think of it as a prequel to the new testament.

• With that said, the old testament provides great illumination of God's character and describes the conditions and setting which necessitated the coming of Jesus. Once you have a solid grasp of the new testament, you should definitely read the old testament. Just remember that statements and promises made to Israel don't necessarily apply directly to you.

• When you are ready for the old testament, begin by reading:

  • ​The rest of Genesis - The flood, the call of Abraham, his son Isaac and grandson Jacob (whose name was changed to Israel), and his 12 sons (who were the ancestors of the 12 tribes of Israel). Watch the overview part 1 and part 2 before reading the book.

  • Exodus - God uses Moses to rescue the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, and gives them the old testament Law, which was just a shadow or a sketch of the salvation that was to come through Jesus: Hebrews 8:5, Hebrews 9:23-24, Jeremiah 31:31-34 . Watch the overview part 1 and part 2 before reading the book.

  • Psalms - A collection of songs of praise and pouring their hearts out to God. Watch the overview before reading the book.

  • Proverbs - A collection of wise sayings by King Solomon. Watch the overview before reading the book.

  • 1st Samuel and 2nd Samuel - The history of Israel during the leadership of the prophet Samuel and kings Saul and David.

 

🌿 What if I don't understand some of what I'm reading?

• First, don't worry! God's plan of salvation in Jesus is so different from the way we as humans tend to think about things, it can take some time to understand.

• Find a fellow believer who you respect and ask them your questions. If they have time, meet with them regularly to go over the passages you are reading.

• Go to BibleRef.com and look up the verse or chapter you need help with. This site and app provide easy to understand explanations. (Note: Some of the old testament books are still in progress.)

• Go to Bible Notes based on ESV.

• Look at the ESV Global Study Bible on the Blue Letter Bible site. It contains great book introductions, character profiles, maps, illustrations,and diagrams.

• Go to Bible Hub commentaries and in its top bar navigate to the verse(s) you have questions about.

• Just keep reading. Learn and apply what you do understand. The next time you read through that book of the Bible, you'll understand more.