Editor’s note – Every new believer eventually asks the same quiet question: where do I even begin with this book? The author answers it with welcome simplicity, tracing Scripture’s whole story in a few plain sentences before pointing readers toward two concrete places to start. We’re running her piece because a clear map matters more than a deep argument when someone is standing at the very first page, unsure which direction to go.
Imagine someone came up to you and asked, “What is the Bible?” What would you say?
A common response might sound like:
- A rule book for Christians
- A confusing collection of stories
- A thing I bring to church with me
- A book I know I should read but don’t know where to start
Cue the sweaty palms.
No need to worry! Let’s start all the way at the beginning and figure this out together.
Ground Zero
God chose to speak through generations of His people, making promises, fulfilling those promises, and showing His kindness through time (and their continued unfaithfulness).
Don’t miss the story! All the different types of literature play a part in helping us understand the overall narrative (poetry, history, letters, etc.) and point to God’s glory, not ours.
Editor’s note – This is worth remembering: the Bible isn’t a loose anthology of moral lessons, it’s one continuous account of a covenant-keeping God fulfilling His word.
Story of the Bible
Everything from the Fall of Man (the one where Adam & Eve ate the fruit) to the Cross points to:
- Our need for a Savior
- God’s promises to His people
- Our brokenness
Everything from the Cross to Revelation (the one where Jesus comes back and we win!) points to:
- The fulfillment of God’s promises
- The growth of His coming Kingdom
- The gospel message going out to the nations
TL;DR 👇🏼 (Too long; Didn’t read)
Old Testament — points to Jesus’ coming.
New Testament — Announces Jesus’ arrival, tells of His death & resurrection, and points to the coming kingdom of God.
Where to start
A great place to start if you’re new to reading the Bible is the gospel of John. This is written from a different perspective than the other 3 gospels, and focuses on Jesus’ life and ministry.
Another great place is Romans. This book hones in on what righteous living looks like and offers up encouragement for the believer.
Don’t let studying God’s Word overwhelm you! Take it one passage at a time, use resources, and never be afraid to reach out to get help.
Here are a couple of free Bible resources to get you started:
- www.biblehub.com
- www.blueletterbible.com
What are some of your favorite Bible resources? Let me know in the comments!
A Word from the Editor
Starting to read the Bible seriously is one of the most ordinary, consequential decisions a believer makes. Paul told Timothy that Scripture equips us for every good work. Pick a gospel, pick a resource, and begin.
Salvation – Eternal Life in Less Than 150 Words
Distributed by – BCWorldview.org
Editor Comment: You anchor the piece in the truth that Scripture tells one unified story of God keeping His promises from Eden to the return of Christ, and that structure is exactly what a new reader needs before opening a single page. Pointing beginners to John and Romans instead of leaving them to wander through genealogies is a practical kindness that keeps more readers in the Word.
This article appeared on Medium and is reprinted with modifications and by permission.