Background Information
The Bible is a collection of 66 different books, divided into the Old Testament and the New Testament. The books of the Bible come from various different sources and authors, ranging from prophecies to historical accounts, to stories, to letters, and more. Since there are so many books in the Bible, it can be daunting knowing where to start and which book should be read first. While different denominations and scholars will have different perspectives on which book is the best one to start with, the general consensus is that the Gospel of John is a great starting point.
Why Read the Gospel of John?
The Gospel of John is a great place to start because of its relative brevity and simple narrative structure. It is much easier to read than some of the prophetic or historical texts of the Old Testament. The Gospel of John is also one of the four canonical accounts of the life of Jesus Christ, which makes it an important foundation for understanding the whole of the Bible.
Important Content in The Gospel of John
The Gospel of John is an eyewitness account of the life and teachings of Jesus, written by the Apostle John. It contains important teachings from Jesus, including his famous “I am” statements, as well as stories of his ministry, miracles, death, and resurrection. Most importantly, the Gospel of John is a powerful testimony of how Jesus, who is God in human form, lived a perfect and sinless life, and provided the only way for people to be saved from their sins and reconnect with God.
Other Books to Consider
In addition to the Gospel of John, there are other books of the Bible that you may want to consider reading first. These include the book of Psalms, which is a poem-like book of prayer and worship; the book of Proverbs, which contains wise counsel on how to live a righteous life; and the letters of Paul, which are important sources of instruction and doctrine in the New Testament.
Overview
Overall, when considering which book of the Bible to read first, the Gospel of John is the most commonly recommended book due to its relative brevity and simple narrative structure. It contains important teachings from Jesus and is considered a foundational source of doctrine and instruction in the New Testament. However, other books of the Bible, such as Psalms, Proverbs, and the Pauline letters, may also be considered as good starting points.
Data and Perspectives from Experts
When polling experts on which book of the Bible should be read first, the Gospels are overwhelmingly recommended. According to the United Bible Societies, 94% of church attendees agree that the Gospels should be read before any other books. Similarly, the National Association of Evangelicals also recommends the Gospels as the starting point for Christians looking to read the Bible.
Own Insights and Analysis
When deciding which book of the Bible to read first, it is important to consider why one is reading the Bible in the first place. If the goal is to gain a better understanding of the life of Jesus and the doctrines and teachings of the New Testament, then the Gospels are the best place to start. However, if one is interested in learning more about the history and culture of ancient Israel, then the Old Testament books are likely more beneficial. Ultimately, it is important to choose a book that is approachable and beneficial to the reader.
Educating and Engaging the Reader
When beginning to read the Bible, it can be helpful to consider what kind of reading experience the reader is looking for. Questions like: What do I hope to learn from this experience? What themes or topics am I interested in exploring? How much background knowledge do I have on the subject? can all help to guide the reader in choosing the best book to start with. The Gospel of John is typically considered the best starting point, as it is easy to read and understand, and provides essential teachings on the life and ministry of Jesus Christ.
Advanced Grammatical Structures
When reading through the Bible, it is important to consider the type of grammatical structures used in each book. For example, the Gospels typically feature shorter sentences with simple sentence structure, which can be easier for the reader to understand. The Old Testament books, on the other hand, are often written in a more complex and detailed style, with longer sentences, and more metaphorical or symbolic language.
Emotional Triggers
In addition to considering grammar, it is also important to be mindful of emotional triggers when reading the Bible. Different books of the Bible evoke different emotions depending on which topics are being discussed. For example, the Gospel of John is more likely to evoke feelings of hope and joy, while the book of Jeremiah may evoke feelings of sorrow and anguish. Paying attention to the emotional content of each book can help the reader to better process and understand its message.
Avoiding the Passive Voice
Finally, it is important to pay attention to the type of language used in each book of the Bible. For example, many books of the Bible use the passive voice to emphasize God’s actions. However, the active voice can be a more powerful way to communicate God’s message and the reader should strive to use it wherever possible when reading the Bible.
