 | Reverend Terry G. Fox is Senior Pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church. He is Chairman of the North American Mission Board, member of its Executive Committee and the FamilyNet Broadcast Communications Committee, as well as numerous other subcommittees. He's listed on the Who's Who Among Outstanding Corporate Executives. He is a sought after speaker and has traveled and ministered in many places in the United States, Latin America and Southeast Asia. Rev. Fox and his wife Barbara have three children. You may contact him at Immanuel Baptist Church, 1415 South Topeka, Wichita, Kansas, 67211; phone (316) 262-1452; or Fax (316) 262-4704. |
***image1:left***QUESTION: In most faiths people are urged to read the Bible. The Bible is a very big book. How does one go about reading the Bible? Where does one start? Other than understanding what happened in the past, is the Old Testament relevant any longer?
ANSWER: First, I recommend that you read the Bible in a modern English translation such as the New International Version (NIV), the Living Bible or the New American Standard Version (NASV). Some like the King James Version because of the beauty of the language. But it is Old English and may be more difficult to understand.
Second, remember that the Bible is not really a "book", but is more like a shelf of 66 books, not arranged strictly in chronological order. So your question is a good one.
I recommend reading one of the "biographies" of Jesus first.....probably the Gospel of John. It is written to tell the claims of Jesus about Himself. Next, read the Gospel of Luke which gives much of the teachings of Jesus. Then read the book of Acts; this tells about Christ's followers during the 40 years following the His death and resurrection.
These are all in the New Testament - the Christian part of the Bible.
Now you may want to go to the beginning book: Genesis. This will start to give you the history of God's preparing a people who (1) would illustrate God's dealings with people and (2) would be prepared to receive His promised Messiah (Christ).
Yes, the Old Testament IS still relevant, but should be read with an understanding of its historical setting. A grasp of the Old Testament (O.T). will help greatly in understanding the New Testament (N.T)., especially those parts that were written mainly to the Jews, such as the Gospel of Matthew, the Book of Hebrews and the Epistles (Letters) of James and 1st Peter.
Before Jesus was born, the Jewish scholars had listed 432 prophesies about the Messiah in the Old Testament. See Isaiah 53 for an example of a predictions of His death.
Also in the Old Testament, you may want to sample the devotional writings, the poems and worship songs of Israel. My suggestions are Psalms 1, 8, 19, 25, 100 and 139. Then Proverbs 3 and 10.
The Apostle Paul wrote 12 letters of instructions which are in the N.T., so I suggest you read the Letter to the Philippians as a sample of these.
This will give you a start. Talk with someone who knows the Bible well to discuss what you have discovered and suggest what to read next.
As you read, remember that Bible study is not only to increase your knowledge, but is to help you to know God and His central truth: we are sinners separated from God and we can only be saved because Jesus Christ died for us and rose again. He was without sin, but in God's perfect plan all of our sins were transferred to Him on the cross, and now we can be cleansed of our sins. See II Cor.5:21 "God made Him Who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God."
Pray before you read that God will give you understanding and obedience.
This is the GOOD NEWS ....that is what "Gospel" means.