avatarJ.R. HEIMBIGNER

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What Book Of The Bible Should I Start Reading?

Whether you have read through the Bible or never touched the thing

Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash

In the spring of 2004, I was a sophomore in college. I had just made the decision to follow Jesus and was not trying to figure out what to do next. After all, I learned for the first time that being Christian was more than a cultural thing, it was actually about following Jesus.

So, there I say in the union building on my college campus. Across from me was the man who would become my mentor for the next four years. As we talked about the next steps to understanding this newfound faith, he mentioned reading the Bible regularly.

I had honestly only read the Bible when I was told to do it for church growing up. Sure, I had a pretty good idea about the books of the Bible and the stories found in it, but I had never actually read it cover to cover. Heck, I hadn’t even read half of it.

So, when I learned I should start reading the Bible daily, I was advised to start with the Gospel of John.

The Gospel of John

Why the Gospel of John? To be honest, I don’t remember the exact reasons I was given. However, I trusted this newfound friend and said I would do just that. I figured I could read it in a couple of days. Then I asked what I should read after I finished.

The answer I received was not what I expected: “Why don’t you focus on reading the Gospel of John over and over again the rest of the spring and into the summer. Then, when we get back to school in the fall, we can look at what you could read next.”

Read the Gospel of John over and over again?

While this seemed rather silly to me, I figured there was a good reason for it. So, that is just what I did. I read the Gospel of John over and over again all summer long. Well, that’s what I did in the mornings anyway.

During the day, I began reading other passages of scripture that were referenced in the Gospel of John. I would go back and forth reading them, then reading the entire books that the references came from too.

By the fall, I finally understood why I needed to read the Gospel of John all summer long.

Understanding What Happens When We Believe

I learned something really important that summer. Something happens to us when we believe in Jesus. Actually, a lot of things happen to us when we believe in Jesus. Our lives have the potential to change a great deal. All summer long, I realized there were parts of my life that didn’t go with this new life I had chosen.

I also learned that who I was, my identity and character, was no longer the same as what it was prior to believing in Jesus.

Identity and character were things that were imparted to me, given to me by Jesus when I believed in him. The things that I had defined myself as or the things that other people had assigned to me were no more. I became who Jesus says I am.

This is why it was important to read the Gospel of John over and over again.

Where should You Read in the Bible?

I think starting in the Gospel of John for anyone who hasn’t read the Bible before is a great place the start. Probably the best place. Next, I would encourage you to read through the rest of the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke). That’s where I would start if I were you.

Now, if you have read the Bible cover to cover, or have been walking with Jesus for years, and you’re looking for the next book to read. I would encourage you to read the Gospel of John again. But this time, read it slowly. Chapter by chapter, or section by section.

I have found that slowing things down a little, makes a huge difference.

But there is something else that is important when it comes to reading the Bible. It isn’t about reading through it as fast as you can. It is about reading it so you can learn from it. Reading the Bible is about connecting your life to the life of Jesus.

How to Read the Bible

When we read the Bible, ask God how it applies to our lives, listens to what he says, and then apply it to our lives you will begin to see something amazing happen. You will begin to actually experience your life-changing every day.

And this is why the Gospel of John is the best place to start.

If you are having a hard time reading your Bible regularly, I just put together resources that can help you out. It is based on my years of reading this beautiful book of the Bible over and over again. Most of all, it helps you read through the Gospel of John in just three weeks and be able to apply it to your life.

Pick up a free copy of The Gospel of John: What Happens When We Believe?

When you download it, you will also get a free gift of some prayer and meditation guides that I am always creating. If you have a chance to use these resources with your Bible reading, I would love to hear how it goes for you, so leave a review too.

What is your favorite part of the Gospel of John?

*This post has affiliate links within it. **This post was originally published on Transformed Faith, 3/30/2021

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