Devotional Guide
How to Start a Daily Reading Devotional
The Bible is its own best teacher. The Bible however is not arranged like an encyclopedia. You cannot go to chapter 1 and read everything about God and go to chapter 2 to read everything about Jesus, etc. Remember when reading the Bible the verses and chapter breaks are placed in the scriptures by man. It is better to read by paragraph, these too are man-made but they do conform better to the original language than verses. Some ground rules need to be set up first:
- Pray first before opening God's word. Ask for guidance and to be able to accept what is written and to be able to apply His will to your life.
- Never, never read the Bible trying to proof your belief on any subject. It is only human nature to take ideas out of context.
- When you are reading and come across something that does not make sense, reread the paragraph or chapter again. If you still do not understand, write down the problem area and continue onward. You may discover the answers later in your reading.
- Do not read large amounts of the Bible in one setting. Take breaks often or stay with about 4-6 chapters a day.
- Start with the New Testament, people who start with the Old Testament almost never read the Bible all the way through. The New Testament is what is binding on us today. We need to follow God's will for us today.
- Forget everything you have ever heard about Jesus, God and the Bible before you start reading the Bible. Don't take what you want it to say with you first.
Now with those in mind, let's lay out the way to read the Bible to let it build on itself:
- Read "John." (It contains a lot of the life of Jesus not before read, especially his last two weeks before the crucifixion.)
- Read "Matthew." (It goes into better detail of some events and adds more about Jesus.)
- Read "Mark." (It is written in chronological order.)
- Read "Luke" then "Acts." (Both written by Apostle Paul's traveling companion Luke. Acts is a continuation of Luke. It describes the early church and contains the examples of New Testament conversions.)
- Read "Galatians." (It deals with the reasons why we do not follow the Old Testament Laws in a more simplified way than does Romans or Hebrews.)
- Then read the rest of the New Testament starting at Romans and going to Revelation.
Check out our daily Devotional Guides sent once a day by email here.
Another source is our Devotional Guide - Morning and Evening devotional guide by Charles Spurgeon. Read Online here or Save on your computer (questions on how to save) or Download our complete Christian Collection Here.
Your voyage through God's Word will take a few weeks. It will be the best traveling you can ever take. You will laugh and you will cry, and lots more. It can teach you the most important things for this life and the one to come.
1. Decide on a Time - is like making an appointment to be kept with God.
2. Decide on a Place - to be successful find the right quiet place.
3. Decide on a Time Frame - 15 minutes to 30 minutes a day and have a prayer time.
4. Decide on a General Structure - Recommend on our sister website, one of our 70 Bible Reading Plans here.
5. We encourage a 21 day study guides that help make your time successful, more information below or here.
6. Study a Book of the Bible - If you are new to the Bible or a new Christian we highly recommend starting at the Book of John in New Testament. On our sister web site www.questionsgod.com we have two study guides on Gospel of John.
Here are a few helpful tips on how to study the Bible and grow spiritually this year. Are you ready? Here goes…
Study a Book of the Bible - If you are new to the Bible or a new Christian we highly recommend starting at the Book of John in New Testament. We have two study guides on Gospel of John.
Plan 1 - With the 21 day Bible Reading 5 minutes a day Challenge, you'll walk with Jesus through the Gospel of John and engage God's Word on a daily basis. It's as easy as reading a chapter a day here.
SEE THE PLAN DOWNLOAD PDF Print the PDF and keep a copy in your Bible.
Plan 2 - This plan is 21 day Bible Reading 15 minutes a day challenge for new Christians and for those searching and people on the go. Start your day by talking to God, reading the Bible and reflecting on your day. We have created a special series of study guides to go along with your daily reading on Gospel of John sent once a day by email for 21 days on the Gospel of John here.
MORE INFORMATION HERE
FREE BIBLE STUDY GUIDES
Bible Study Guides that are relevant, engaging and life-changing — making your life better now, and giving you a real, solid hope for your future. Use these study guides to improve your understanding of the Bible and strengthen your faith. Consider the following options, but remember to choose one. Regular reading in God's Word is not optional. It's a necessity!
Request any of our free Study Guides here.
- 1. God’s Simple Plan of Salvation – Searching for Answers – 3 week guide here.
- 2. New Christian Study Guide – New To Christianity – 3 week study guide here.
- 3. Steps to Spiritual Maturity Guide – Nurturing Resources – 3 week guide here.
- 4. The Gospel of John – Knowing God Better – Personal book study - 3 weeks here.
- 5. Inspirational Daily Devotionals – Encouraging Spiritual Reflections – daily here.
- 6. Monthly Newsletter – Christ Centered Information – once a month here.
- 7. Personal Evangelism Training – Share the Gospel – fun creative way here.
- 8. Bible Studies – Instructive Resources – connecting you nearer to God here.
- 9. Questions & Answers – Exploring Spiritual Questions – (Q & A) here.
- 10. Life’s Questions – Interconnecting with today’s Issues here.
Free Study Guides
FREE STUDY GUIDES MORE INFORMATION HERE
70 FREE BIBLE READING PLANS
Use one of our many daily Bible reading plans to easily read Scriptures in a year! Reading the Bible daily is important to grow your faith and hope! They range from two week commitments to year-long commitments, from reading straight through cover to cover, to topical readings, to a mixture of readings each day. Check out our 70 Bible Reading Plans at our sister website Questions God. Com 70 BIBLE READING PLANS HERE.
SUMMARY OF BIBLE READING PLANS 1 TO 70
New to the Bible or New Christians Bible Reading Plans - Each plan is different - Plans 1-12 here.
Blended Bible Reading Plans - Old and New Testament combined daily - Plans 13-17 here.
Classic One & Two Year Plans - From the Beginning Genesis to the end of Revelation in order - Plans 18-23 here.
Chronological One Year Plans - Read the events of the Bible in the order they occurred - Plans: 24-25 here.
Genres (Literature) Style One Year Plans - Reading the different Genre types - Plans: 26-27 here.
Short Term Reading Commitments - Two week Plans for those with busy schedules - Plans 29 -41 here.
Children's Bible Reading Plans - 10 minutes a day for Children and Family Bible Readings - Plans 42-50 here.
Assorted & Diverse Excellent Bible Reading Plans - Variety of Books of the Bible Reading Plans - Plans 51-70 here.
King James Bible read online go here.
King James Bible Old Testament PDF here and New Testament PDF here.
American Standard Bible Old Testament PDF read online or download here.
American Standard Bible New Testament PDF read online or download here.
Children's Bible read online here.
Devotional Guide - Morning and Evening PDF by Charles Spurgeon. read online or download here.
Precious Bible Promises PDF - God's promises for every situation. Read Online here.
Easton's Dictionary PDF read online or download here.
Nave's Topical Bible PDF read online or download here.
Your voyage through God's Word will be the best traveling you can ever take. You will laugh and you will cry, and lots more. It can teach you the most important things for this life and the one to come.
Most Asked Questions Answered? here
How readiest thou? (An insightful poem on Bible study)
It is one thing to read the Bible through,
Another thing to read to learn to do.
Some read it with design to learn to read,
And to the subject pay but little heed.
Some read it as their duty once a week,
But no instruction from the Bible seek;
While others read it with but little care,
With no regard to how they read, nor where.
Some read to bring themselves into repute,
By showing others how they can dispute;
While others read because their neighbors do,
To see how long 'twill take to read it through.
Some read it for the wonders that are there,
How David killed a lion and a bear;
While others read it with uncommon care,
Hoping to find some contradictions there.
Some read as if it did not speak to them,
But to the people at Jerusalem.
One reads with father's specs upon his head,
And sees the thing just as his father said.
Some read to prove a pre-adopted creed,
Hence understand but little that they read;
For every passage in the Book they bend,
To make it suit that all-important end.
Some people read, as I have often thought,
To teach the Book instead of being taught;
And some there are who read it out of spite;
I fear there are but few who read it right.
But read it prayerfully, and you will see,
Although men contradict, God's words agree;
For what the early Bible prophets wrote,
We find that Christ and His apostles quote.
So trust no creed that trembles to recall
What has been penned by one and verified by all.
Will you receive Jesus Christ right now?
Here is how you can receive Christ:
1. Admit your need (I am a sinner).
2. Be willing to turn from your sins (repent).
3. Believe that Jesus Christ died for you on the Cross and rose from the grave.
4. Through prayer, invite Jesus Christ to come in and control your life through the Holy Spirit.
Receive Him as Lord and Savior.
Just Pray This Simple Prayer
"Lord Jesus, I believe you are the Son of God. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins. Please forgive my sins and give me the gift of eternal life. I ask you in to my life and heart to be my Lord and Savior. I want to serve you always."
Did you pray this prayer?
Now what do I do?
If you prayed this prayer and meant it with all you heart, YOU ARE SAVED! You have now been born again, spiritually, and are a child of God. Your sins have been forgiven, and today begins the first day of many in your new walk with God.
We Are Glad You Decided To Give Your Life To Jesus Christ.
As a Christian what should I do next? More on knowing God here.
If you have received Jesus Christ as your Savior, as a Christian you should:
- Read your Bible every day to get to know Christ better.
"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." Psalms 119:105
- Talk to God in prayer every day.
"And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive. Matthew 21:22
"Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God." Philippians 4:6
- Be baptized, worship, fellowship, and serve with other Christians in a church where Christ is preached and the Bible is the final authority.
"Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:" Matthew 28:19
"Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching." Hebrews 10:25
"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:" 2Timothy 3:16
- Tell others about Christ.
"
And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature." Mark 16:15
"For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel! 1Corinthians 9:16
"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek."Romans 1:16
I still have questions? Let us know here
Since you are a new member in the body of Christ, we want to pray with you and for you, and celebrate with you in your decision. So please contact us here.
Finding God - What does it take to know God? You can personally begin a relationship with God, right now..
Knowing God Personally Here Next Steps For A New Christian Here Next Steps For Christians Here
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