 Facing the Troubles of Today with Hope for Tomorrow Foundation Freedom Activate Fellowship #1 Resource: The Word The Bible is made up of 66 different books written in 3 different languages in 13 different countries on 3 different continents by over 40 different authors over a period of at least 1,600 years - is your head spinning? It's easy to get lost. First of all, take a deep breath. DON'T simply read it from start to finish, at least not at first, because it's not written like a traditional book. You'll do fine through Genesis, but things will get really bogged down by the time you get to Numbers and you'll find yourself asking: "Why am I reading this?" and "Why do I care?" So, take it from us: start with the books that make immediate sense and give you a great overview of the heart of God. The following are some good, easy reading suggestions that will begin to reveal to you God's heart without overwhelming or confusing you. Keep it fun! If any of these begin to feel laborious, switch to one of the other books. The more you read the easier and more revealing it will become... Genesis (Creation, God's Chosen People)
Exodus (Moses vs. Pharaoh, 10 Plagues,
10 Commandments)
Job (Why
We Suffer)
Psalms (Prayers/Songs
to God, Praying & Connecting with God Personally)
Proverbs (Simple
Truths, Read 1 Chapter/Day=Finish in 1 Mo)
Ecclesiastes (Tells
It Like It Is: "Everything is Meaningless" Apart from God)
Daniel (Den
of Lions, Fiery Furnace, Writing on the Wall - Cool Stuff)
Jonah
(Swallowed by a Big Fish, Obey the Easy Way vs. the Hard Way, Loving
Those Different Than You)
Matthew
(Jesus: Focus on
Parables/Kingdom of God, Sermon on Mount)
Luke (Jesus: Focus on
Details)
John (Jesus: Focus on
Heart)
Acts (The First Church)
Romans (Way of the
World vs. the Way of God)
Galatians (Grace,
Acceptance, Sin)
Ephesians (How to
Live, Marriage, Kids)
Philippians (Imitate
Christ, Be Thankful)
Hebrews (Jesus,
Faith, New Covenant vs. Old Covenant)
James (Faith and
Deeds)
Revelation (The
Return of Christ)
Once you have a good overview of the Bible it will be easier to approach some of the more challenging books with greater understanding. The Heart of the Matter So, what's the big deal? Do you have to become a "Bible scholar" to follow God? It's been said the Bible is an acronym for Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth, so, do you have to follow the Bible to the letter to be saved? Nope. In the end it's all about heart. The Bible is a guage, like a meter that checks your pulse. The Bible checks your spiritual heart and makes sure you're on the right track. The Bible combined with God's counseling Spirit enables us to find and walk the Freedom Pathway. Like working out when you're out of shape - it's going to hurt a little at first. For example, if you're reading the Bible and you feel challenged, "cut", convicted or you twinge a bit - that's good! Embrace it because you're getting into shape spritually. You're being pruned. Once your spiritual workout becomes habit it will no longer be painful but feel good and energizing. So, hang in there and you'll be thankful for the results. |
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