Where to start?

[Carbon]

If you met a new Christian and he/her asked for advice, where should I start in the bible? What should I read first?

What would you recommend? I have had a few Christians ask me this. Usually, I recommend starting with the Gospel of John.

What would you recommend and why?

 

[CrowCross]

If you met a new Christian and he/her asked for advice, where should I start in the bible? What should I read first?

What would you recommend? I have had a few Christians ask me this. Usually, I recommend starting with the Gospel of John.

What would you recommend and why?

i have also heard to start with John. For me I kinda did topical studies.

I would tell them to go to Got Questions....and start asking questions.

 

[Carbon]

I would tell them to go to Got Questions....and start asking questions.

You would recommend a wed site? Not a book in the bible?

 

[CrowCross]

You would recommend a wed site? Not a book in the bible?

In 2023, yes. But not just any web site. I've found Got Questions to be the best so far. For example if you want to check out the "trinity"...go here. the link in post 2 showed Jesus is God.

Keep in mind the web site doesn't replace the bible. The Gospel of John has a purpose. James has a purpose...etc. while sites such as Got Questions presents theology often piecing together scripture from various books.

I would also say Eph 2 and Phil 2 are also both important to understand.

 

[Carbon]

In 2023, yes. But not just any web site. I've found Got Questions to be the best so far. For example if you want to check out the "trinity"...go here. the link in post 2 showed Jesus is God.

Keep in mind the web site doesn't replace the bible. The Gospel of John has a purpose. James has a purpose...etc. while sites such as Got Questions presents theology often piecing together scripture from various books.

I would also say Eph 2 and Phil 2 are also both important to understand.

Thats interesting.
Me being a Calvinist wouldn't recommend got questions. But that's another story.

 

[civic]

I would recommend John’s gospel and 1 John . The Apostle whom Jesus loved really captures the details and intimate moments in the life of Christ and emphasizes His Deity. Jesus in John’s gospel also more than any other gospel talks about the Person and work of the Holy Spirit and the relationship of the Father/ Son in great detail the other gospels do not include.

 

[Fred]

Starting with the Gospel of John and just read straight through to the end of the Bible.

 

[Carbon]

Starting with the Gospel of John and just read straight through to the end of the Bible.

Then they wouldn't make it to Matthew and Mark until the second time around. Just kidding brother.

 

[civic]

Then they wouldn't make it to Matthew and Mark until the second time around. Just kidding brother.

And if I’m being completely honest I’ve spent 80% of my Christian life studying the New Testament.

 

[EarlyActs]

If you met a new Christian and he/her asked for advice, where should I start in the bible? What should I read first?

What would you recommend? I have had a few Christians ask me this. Usually, I recommend starting with the Gospel of John.

What would you recommend and why?

I would start with Mark, partly because it is the earliest document. But it is also just the historical account, so Ephesians would probably be the next best thing for practical reasons.

 

[Carbon]

I would start with Mark, partly because it is the earliest document. But it is also just the historical account, so Ephesians would probably be the next best thing for practical reasons.

Interesting.

 

[CrowCross]

Thats interesting.
Me being a Calvinist wouldn't recommend got questions. But that's another story.

I guess that would depend. Are you referring to a new christian like the OP suggested...or one who is still lost?

For a new christian Got Question can answer a lot of questions concerning christian theology. For example John mentions "born again". A new christian reading John 3 may ask...just what does that mean? Got Questions has an answer.

In John 3:5 "born of water" is mentioned....What does that mean? Got Questions can help clear it up.

 

[GeneZ]

If you met a new Christian and he/her asked for advice, where should I start in the bible? What should I read first?

What would you recommend? I have had a few Christians ask me this. Usually, I recommend starting with the Gospel of John.

What would you recommend and why?

I would recommend him buying a decent translation.....
And, then to keep searching for a good Bible teaching church till he finds one.

​

​

Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. ​

“Do you understand what you are reading?” ​

​

Philip asked.​

​

“How can I,” he said, “unless someone explains it to me?” ​

So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him."​

​

​

..........​

 

[GeneZ]

In John 3:5 "born of water" is mentioned....What does that mean?

Jesus spoke of two births.

Physical birth begins with the mother breaking water.....

Physical was the first. Water.
Spiritual was the last. The Holy Spirit.


Ooops! Checked link after posting!

 

[fastfredy0]

Me being a Calvinist wouldn't recommend got questions. But that's another story.

Interesting. I'm a Calvinist, but I would recommend Gotquestions.org. They are good at giving different view points and have a lot of relevant answers to most questions one would pose. In my mind they definitely lean towards Calvinism. I sometimes think there are multiple authors as some answers lean more towards Calvinism than others.

What similar site would you suggest that would give better answers?

Me being a Calvinist wouldn't recommend got questions. But that's another story.

... another story ???? *giggle* do tell ...

 

[Carbon]

Interesting. I'm a Calvinist, but I would recommend Gotquestions.org. They are good at giving different view points and have a lot of relevant answers to most questions one would pose. In my mind they definitely lean towards Calvinism. I sometimes think there are multiple authors as some answers lean more towards Calvinism than others.

What similar site would you suggest that would give better answers?


... another story ???? *giggle* do tell ...

If you do some research you will see that it's mainly an Arminian site.

 

[Carbon]

Interesting. I'm a Calvinist, but I would recommend Gotquestions.org. They are good at giving different view points and have a lot of relevant answers to most questions one would pose. In my mind they definitely lean towards Calvinism. I sometimes think there are multiple authors as some answers lean more towards Calvinism than others.

What similar site would you suggest that would give better answers?


... another story ???? *giggle* do tell ...

I'm not sure which site I would recommend. Maybe some of the ones I posted on this forum?

I'd probably recommend the gospel of John

 

[fastfredy0]

If you met a new Christian and he/her asked for advice, where should I start in the bible? What should I read first?

1 Maccabees is a great starting point for a new Christian ...




j/k
Yeah, I too would go with John for the salvific gospel .... and then Matthew for history of Christ life, then Romans for theology
I would point to Gotquestions.org (even though brother @Carbon frown at the idea ) as a place for quick answers and a URL for a commentary.
Next I would point out that the Bible is not topically organized and is confusing at times in that regard. In would tell the person that after perhaps reading the N.T. it might be advantageous to put the pieces together. I would suggest reading a Systematic Theology book .... the one by Wayne Grudem comes to mind.

 

[fastfredy0]

If you do some research you will see that it's mainly an Arminian site.

Interesting ... I've gone there many times and I am of the impression that, as I said, it leans towards Calvinism. Again, I've seen comments on some topics that are not entirely in-sync with others. Interesting, I know a gal that doesn't like the site because she says it's Calvinistic.
They often state multiple viewpoints (not the RC viewpoint ever)

 

[Carbon]

Interesting ... I've gone there many times and I am of the impression that, as I said, it leans towards Calvinism. Again, I've seen comments on some topics that are not entirely in-sync with others. Interesting, I know a gal that doesn't like the site because she says it's Calvinistic.
They often state multiple viewpoints (not the RC viewpoint ever)

Cool. Even if it is Arminian, could be worse.