Books of the Bible to Read for New Believers

You are a new Christian. Or someone that you lot know is a new Christian. You lot (or they) want to kickoff reading the Bible. Where should you begin? In other words, what'southward the best book of the Bible for new believers?

The give-and-take "best" here is subjective. What I recollect and what someone else thinks could exist different and, in some sense, we both could be right. Reading the Bible is ameliorate than non reading the Bible. Any identify would be swell, really. But some places in Scripture seem more advantageous than others for beginners.

Over the years, I have found that many people recommend the Gospel of John equally the best place to beginning in Scripture. Not a bad choice by any means. I love the Gospel of John. Information technology'due south a cute book. Merely in John's Gospel, in that location are some tough sayings and interesting imagery that tin can be confusing if not read in its proper context. Again, John is great, just I call back nosotros would exercise well if we skip back two Gospels.

If you are a new Christian, the best place to start reading in the Bible is the Gospel of Mark.

Why the Gospel of Mark is the Best Book of the Bible for New Believers

Here are a few reasons why I say so:

1. The Gospel of Mark gives you Jesus.

I know, I know. The whole Bible is about Jesus. Read from a redemptive-historical perspective, you tin find Jesus in the books of James and Jude and Jeremiah. He is the bespeak of every page. And nevertheless, the Gospels are just different.

They are different because they give you the words, actions, and deeds of Jesus up close and personal. We meet an intimate epitome of Jesus as nosotros read a biographical sketch of his life, something new believers should immerse themselves in. In detail, the Gospel of Mark focuses on the actions of Jesus (more than on this afterward), which chop-chop helps a new believer understand Jesus' life and ministry.

2. The Gospel of Mark is the shortest Gospel.

You lot volition ask, "If you recommend a Gospel for a new believer, couldn't Matthew or Luke or John suffice?" The reply is — yes, of course, it will. Only at 16 chapters, the book of Mark is the shortest of the Gospels, making information technology less intimidating than, say, Luke, which is 24 chapters long. Yous can read Mark in less than 90 minutes. It's a book that you can read in 1 sitting over and once more.

three. The Gospel of Mark is Action-Packed.

The Gospel of Marking is jammed-packed with stories. Information technology's choppy, with new scenes first and ending quickly. The word "immediately" appears 42 times, showing that Jesus wasn't just standing around doing null. It's an exciting book to read, i that will surely keep and capture the attention of a new believer.

In his book King's Cross: The Story of the World in the Life of Jesus , Tim Keller captures this idea well when he writes: "Mark does not read like a dry history. It is written in the present tense, often using words like "immediately" to pack the account full of activity. Yous tin't assistance merely observe the abruptness and breathless speed of the narrative. The Gospel conveys, then, something important near Jesus. He is not just a historical figure, but a living reality, a person who addresses u.s. today."

4. The Gospel of Marking is Fairly Easy to Understand

Non that a new believer won't have any questions nigh Mark's Gospel as he or she reads it. I notwithstanding have questions when I read it, and I've read information technology countless times. But the Gospel of Marking, on the whole, is non that hard to become. There are no genealogies. In that location aren't an abundant amount of difficult sayings (although that whole matter almost handling serpents and drinking toxicant is (Mark 16:xviii). The Gospel of Mark is a quick, fairly piece of cake to understand biographical sketch of Jesus' life.

five. The Gospel of Marking is About Discipleship

The purpose of Mark's Gospel is discipleship. That's the principal point. As my ESV Study Bible tells me, "The ultimate purpose and theme of Mark is to present and defend Jesus' universal telephone call to discipleship." Discipleship means walking with Jesus. It's a call to love and obey Jesus, to emulate his character, and to exist prepared to suffer every bit he did. This is something a new believer needs to grasp. This is why the Gospel of Marker is a great offset.

I'm thankful that a new believer would enquire this question. It's evidence of God's grace. I remember when I get-go fell in love with the Scriptures and how I longed to know the Word. I even so practise long to know information technology more ever before. Only I didn't get this way overnight. Everybody has to outset somewhere and few places of the Bible are meliorate for new believers than the Gospel co-ordinate to Marking.

You lot may also similar:

1. What I've Learned Nearly Leviticus Afterward Studying information technology for Over a Decade
2. 25 Bible Reading Tips

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Source: https://www.gospelrelevance.com/2019/02/25/the-best-book-of-the-bible-for-new-believers/

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