A beginner s guide to reading the Bible

A beginner s guide to reading the Bible | The Old Path
Bible reference: Hebrews 7:12

The Bible is not like every other book. Most books require you to read from the first page before you get to the last to understand it. This is because the stories in the book were arranged in that manner, from how it all started to how it finally ended.

But when it comes to the Bible, it is quite different. I previously used to think of the Bible the same way I did with other books. I thought there was no history before Genesis. But as I went further through the Bible, I came across certain books that talked about certain stories that occurred even before the proceeding books.

It was through continuous study that I realized that there were occurrences that actually happened before the making of the world. Our comprehension of the Bible depends on the approach we use to it.

We are advised to begin reading the Bible in the New Testament before venturing into the Old Testament. As Christians, especially when newly converted, it is important that you be open to the new covenant. We find this new covenant in the New Testament.

By going through the New Testament, we expose ourselves to the things secured for us through Christ Jesus. The New Testament helps to familiarize yourself with the person of Jesus, whom you accepted into your life. This gives you a basic knowledge on how to commence your Christian race.

We should be aware that certain laws in the old testament were slightly different from those of the new testament. The laws the Israelites lived by when Moses was with them weren't the same when Jesus came down to earth. Paul makes this known to us in the book of Hebrews 7:12 below.

Hebrews 7.12 - For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.

After reading the New Testament and understanding it, we can then move over to the Old Testament. But a very important thing we should do, starting off with the New Testament, is to digest it as we read it. We should avoid being fast with it.

Completing the new testament could take up to a year, or less, or even more. It all depends on the help of the Holy Spirit. There's no point completing the Bible without having an understanding of what you read. Putting all these in place helps us in successfully covering the Bible.