The Bible is the world's number one selling book of all time. Number two on the list is said to be Charles Dickens's A Tale of Two Cities which has sold an estimated 200 million plus copies since being first published in 1859. Most sources say the Bible sells about 100 million per year. If you are a new Christian or someone interested in discovering what is believed by millions to be the Word of God, you may find making your way through its 66 books and 1,189 chapters a daunting task. Here are a few things that may help you accomplish this feat.
Guides
It is pretty easy to go online and type in the name of any of the books in the Bible and get an overview of what the book is about. If you want to get more in-depth you can find many dedicated studies in bookstores. You can find guides that break the Bible down into categories like books that are poetic, historical books, prophetic books, and so on. The right guide can help you navigate more manageable chunks of the Bible than trying to go cover to cover.
The Gospels
The Gospels are the first four books of the New Testament. They are Mathew, Mark, Luke, and John. The Gospels tell the story of Jesus Christ from four different points of view. Chronological Bible reading plan This gives the reader a very rich and detailed account of the life of the central figure in the Christian faith. This is the best place to start if you are a new believer or a person interested in studying the beliefs and doctrines of Christianity.
Familiar Bible Stories
Think of the stories you have heard about over the years like Noah's Ark or Moses parting the Red Sea. Maybe you saw Joseph and the Technicolor Dream Coat. From Adam and Eve to Doubting Thomas, you have probably heard stories or phrases related to the Bible. Try to find out which books and chapters these stories are located in.
Commentaries
After reading certain books, chapters, or verses, you may find yourself more confused than when you started. You may not understand why certain events took place, or why someone said what they did, or why certain works were used. Try to find commentaries specific to the book or chapters you are reading. Again, you can find numerous commentaries in bookstores and online. You can even find endless audio commentaries from many of the world's Bible experts. I would suggest reading or listening to commentaries from several different sources. This will give you a better picture of what you are reading. Having differing opinions will also do well for you in making your interpretation.
Pray
If you are a Christian, prayer is a vital part of everyday life, and asking God to reveal His Word to you is an important step in your readings whether they are daily or weekly in church. And even if you are not a believer, it would not hurt to ask the Author for a little help in understanding what it is you are reading. You are not going to hear a booming voice from the heavens, but if you are truly sincere in wanting to understand the Bible, I believe you will discover much more than you were expecting.
Charles Dickens once wrote, "Let us be moral, let us contemplate existence." If this line from one of his works moved anyone to start thinking about the concepts of morality and existence, then that same person might be interested in exploring the one book that sold more than his Tale of Two Cities. In the Bible, you will journey through more cities and read the tales of more names than you can shake a stick at. You will follow the journey of a nation of people who truly experience the best and the worst of times. You will read the story of One who did a far better thing than anyone has ever done. After each verse, chapter and book, you may find yourself saying, "please Sir, I want some more." Hopefully, these tips will help you get your fill.
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