How to start reading the Bible
So you’re interested in reading the world’s best-selling book!
Many people don’t realise that the Bible is by far and away the best-selling book in the world and has been since records of this sort have been kept.
The bible is the world’s bestselling book ever! Guinness Book of World Records estimates that more than 5 billion copies of the Bible have been printed.
The Bible has influenced…
As you read the bible, you might find that you are more familiar with it than you expected: it is a profoundly important book that has shaped and influenced cultures throughout history and around the world. It has been particularly foundational in western civilisation, shaping language, art, values, politics, economics, and science.
You will find it in everything from Shakespeare to Hollywood movies; it’s inspired musicians, historical figures and campaigners!
Gandhi often quoted the teaching of Jesus,
Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you and pray for those who treat you badly. To the one who strikes you on the cheek, turn the other cheek; to the one who takes your coat, give also your shirt.
Mathew 5: 39
“But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream.”
Amos 5:24
The bible inspired…
It has also had a profound and transformational impact on the lives of huge numbers of individual people, from all walks of life, and continues to do so. Contrary to popular perception in the West, the number of Christians in the world is rising rapidly, mainly due to rapid growth in the global south.
The Bible is available for free!
We thought that you might like to have a look at the Bible yourself, which is why we’re making free copies available – drop into the church and ask for one if you are interested.
free copies available!
Or you could read it online for free online at www.biblegateway.com
Where to start reading?
Start with a Gospel story about Jesus
If you decide to try reading the Bible. Firstly, the Bible isn’t really a book, it’s more of a library, so just as you wouldn’t start reading your way from A to Z in a library, it’s probably best to begin with reading one of the books that describe the life, death, and return to life of Jesus.
read an eyewitness account!
The Four Gospels
These books in the bible are known as the gospels. There are four of them. Called the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.
Mark is the shortest and is a good place to start. It will give you an overview of Jesus life and introduce you to many of the characters that you will meet again in the other gospels. It takes about two hours to read so if you read a chapter a day that’s about 7 or 8 minutes a day.
For a very different approach to telling the story of Jesus, you could try John’s gospel.
Where Mark focuses on what Jesus did, John looks closely at what Jesus said about himself. Here you will find some of the clearest explanations of who Jesus was and what he accomplished.
Psalms - a conversation with God
150 poems describing people’s conversations with God
You might also like to dip into the Psalms. These are 150 poems describing people’s conversations with God, and are full of honest and raw emotions – many people have found some of the Psalms a great comfort in difficult times. Psalm 23 is the most famous.
The bible is best read with others
The Bible can be difficult, and it’s really meant to be read together with others.
The bible was written before most people could read. It was written to be read aloud and thought about together with others
If you’ve found dipping into the Bible hard-going, confusing, intriguing, or if it has filled you with questions, our Minister, Chris, would be delighted to meet with you to give you some help. He won’t try to push you into believing something you’re not ready for.
Ways to go deeper
Get in touch with us!
We have a bible group that meets together to discuss the bible – find out more about bible group
Check out some these resources for reading the bible whether accessing, self-study or part-time study
Bible Gateway
Bible Gateway is a searchable online Bible in more than 200 versions and 70 languages that you can freely read, research, and reference anywhere. With a library of audio Bibles, a mobile app, devotionals, email newsletters, and other free resources, Bible Gateway equips you not only to read the Bible, but to understand it.
Bible Project
The Bible Project aims to make the Biblical story accessible to everyone, everywhere. They produce creative videos, thought provoking podcasts, and study guides that explore the Bible's unified story by focusing on its overarching themes and each book’s literary design.
Kings School of Theology
King’s School of Theology offers flexible part-time courses in theology that equip people for all of life, church, work and ministry. We can say from experience that their study at KST has deepened their faith and knowledge of God, and helped them develop their ministry skills.
See also the blog from Andrew Perriman, one of the elders here at The Grove. Andrew writes about the Bible: understanding it as well as telling its story in our contemporary times.
