![]() ![]() When you know what is going on with the author and the audience, the words will jump out at you in a much different way and you will have better insight. Use one of your additional books or resources to help you. Read the Introduction to the Gospel on the pages preceding it. ‘ Where do I learn these things?’ you might ask. If you are reading a prophet, know what was going on in his world at the time. ![]() Paul without knowing what is going on in the city to which he is writing. Ask yourself what makes that specific account different than the other three. If you do start in a Gospel, take the time to learn about who the author was, who he was writing to, and what the basic themes are of his Gospel account. The Gospels are the hinge-pin to the entire Bible, they’re a great place to start and get into that reading “rhythm.” 3. Mark’s Gospel is the shortest and easiest to understand you already know the main characters and plotline and its personal significance and relevance to your faith walk. If you are starting from scratch, I’d suggest the Gospel of Mark. I’d pick one book that you are going to start in and make that book your focus for a while. We must learn the story of salvation history-and I cannot recommend The Great Adventureseries of resources highly enough-whether you’re an adult ( TGA) a teen ( T3) or a middle school student ( Encounter), we’ve got you covered!Īnd after you catch the big picture of the Bible, then you can focus on smaller portraits. The Bible isn’t a novel it wasn’t designed to be read from Genesis straight through to Revelation. If you were planning on reading the Bible cover to cover … don’t. It doesn’t have to be a long prayer but take some time … this is the most important step in Bible study. Thank him for the gift of his Word, a gift that millions have given their lives to defend and to offer you the freedom to read and pray. Ask God, through the power of his Spirit, to open your mind, your eyes, and your heart to his truth. Quiet yourself, spend some time in silence, and hold the Bible in your hands as you pray. Pray, and then pray some more.īefore you open God’s Word, ask the author of that word-the Holy Spirit-to be present in a bold and fierce way. Now here are three things you can do as you study: 1. Would you like to finally understand how to read the Bible? Sign up for a free preview of the Unlocking the Mystery of the Bible study program. It’s also great to have The Catechism of the Catholic Church handy, so you can use it as you study. There’s a myriad of solid Catholic ancillary materials and resources to help you understand the Bible better-like those available through Ascension and from other fine Catholic publishers. Have other books that help you understand the Book. Just remember, your Bible is like a telescope-it’s not meant to be looked at but, rather, looked through. You might also want to have a copy of the New American Bible, which is the translation we hear at daily Mass and on Sundays (NAB). If you haven’t seen it … I highly recommend the Revised Standard Version-Catholic Edition for personal study, it’s great. It’s important that your Bible is comfortable to read, light enough to take with you, durable enough to really use, and inexpensive enough that you don’t feel bad writing or marking in it. The best translation today is the one that you already have. Get yourself a good Catholic Bible (that way you have all seventy-three books), but if you don’t have one right now, that shouldn’t keep you from reading. Pick a time when you’re totally awake so you can give your full attention. If you’re really tired, for example, then reading the Bible once you’re in bed probably isn’t the best time. Pick a time, but not just any time.Ĭommit to a daily time that you’ll open God’s Word but be sure it’s an intelligent time. Let’s start with three things you should do before you start studying. By the end, you’ll have ten total steps to help you build a biblical fortress able to resist anything the devil can throw at you. We’ll attack this on three levels … the tools, the blueprint, and the construction. To ensure that you don’t just jump in and then quit out of frustration or confusion, there are certain things you can do to be more successful. Like anything else, if you want to build something … in this case, your knowledge and love for the Scriptures … you don’t just grab a hammer and some nails and start pounding. So if you’ve ever wanted to go deeper into God’s Word but haven’t known how to approach it, allow me to suggest a few tips (so you can learn from my mistakes). Most of them are Catholic Christians who want to start reading the Bible but don’t know where to start. I meet tens of thousands of people a year at different events. ![]()
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