Is it easier to read the bible straight through or go by topics?

Question

Like ,what does it say about love, freedom of speech or how to behave in a way that God accepts?

Answer 1

Whatever works for you. The important thing is to read it.

If you are reading it for historical dates and times, remember it is not written in chronological order.

Answer 2

First of all, I mean no offense to anyone with the following.

The bible unfortunately doesn't come right out with things. It's not going to tech you about love, or freedom of speech. Love is an unexplainable thing, freedom of speech was something created way later in history. The way I look at it, is the lessons in the bible shouldn't be taken too literally. But the overall message is there. It trys to show you how to be selfless, and to care about others without judgement. A tough thing to do in this world. We were also given freedom to choose. If you feel like your behaving in a way that god is frowning upon you, what your feeling is guilt, and you probably shouldn't do that. People will make mistakes, and god is forgiving as the story goes. Just do your best to be friendly, honest, and caring for other regardless of what has gone on between you and the other person and your hitting the nail on the head.

Answer 3

To understand the Bible today, you've got to study it. Our culture, and even modern Christianity, are fairly removed from what the Bible actually says in its complete context. It is full of single verses out of place and ignoring the parts they don't understand or don't agree with.



Make sure you get a good Bible (maybe two translations) with good cross references, and use them frequently. Let your curiousity and interest lead you. Don't be afraid to take notes (important stuff, or questions, or stuff that means something to you personally), or to stop and look things up. Don't be afraid to look things up in a concordance or to dig into the Greek. http://blueletterbible.org is a great resource.



Personally I would suggest as a possible course is to read through Luke and Acts first. Then Matthew, Mark, and John. During all of this, look up almost every cross reference, reading before and after it. Then read the first five books of the Bible. Then I'd go back and do the whole New Testament. Then pick back up with the rest of the Old Testament, going with books that suit what you want to learn about: general instruction, praise, prophecy, etc; while also studying by subject.



P.S. Before you begin , it might be helpful to do a little bit of study on the differences between Greek/Western thought and Hebrew/Eastern thought. You can find a 40 minute teaching on this here: http://www.mgmorrow.com/audio/sermons/RayVanderLaan/RayVanderLaan_RVL-Idaho_01_Intro-EasternWesternMind_2010_37min.mp3

Answer 4

Both methods are very useful. By reading it straight through you can gain insights into what happened throughout the Jews' history. You can find patterns, put your favorite stories and verses in context, and with the help of a study aid perhaps learn why some topics and people are so important in Judaism (and hence their usage in the New Testament). Just be careful to note the year those events are happening since the Bible is not chronological.



But once you have that background solidly in your mind, I think studying by topics is a fantastic way to go. The background knowledge you gain only serves to make those important verses more touching.

Answer 5

There is no easy way to understand the Bible. You can read it through or in parts and your always going to come across contradictions that force thinking upon us if we want to really try to understand what it all means. It has a bit what love is, what freedom of speech is and how to behave in a way that God accepts too but none of that comes easily when our own egos have to work their way through all that. Do you think so much history would have been like it is if it was easy to understand? Nothing is easy when our own eyesight can't see it clearly. And that is where the Bible stimulates the internal eye to awaken and start trying to think better. A very hard challenge indeed.

Answer 6

Select a reliable translation in modern-day language, such as the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures. Some people start by reading the Gospel accounts of the life of Jesus, whose wise teachings, such as those found in the Sermon on the Mount, reflect a keen awareness of human nature and outline how to improve our lot in life.—See Matthew chapters 5 to 7.



In addition to reading through the Bible, a topical method of study can be quite informative. This involves analyzing what the Bible says on a particular subject. You may be surprised to learn what the Bible really says about such topics as soul, heaven, earth, life, and death, as well as God’s Kingdom

Answer 7

I would say straight through.



It's like reading any other book, you will know the story from beginning to end. The first book Genesis, explains so much about the later books, especially Revelation.



Be sure to keep track, if you are not going to go in order. Five pages a day will get you done in a year!

Answer 8

It is easier going by topics, just get a good bible study book like what does the Bible really teach by Jehovah`s Witnesses and have a free home bible study with them.

But I do both.

Answer 9

More interesting and easier to concentrate if you go by topic. Get a Dake's Annotated King James Bible. Very reasonable from Amazon. It has notes where you can follow a word, name or topic clear through the Bible. That is how I have learned. I have built a whole website using the Dake's.







http://www.armageddonangelsufos.com Use IE, BING, MSN

Answer 10

The best way to understand the Bible is to start with the first 4 chapters of Genesis and stop. Then go to the Book of John in the New Testament and do a couple of chapters each day or night and then THINK and let the Holy Spirit do the teaching and do this ALONE because the Lord God is a jealous God and the Scripture says, "You have NO NEED that anyone should teach you!" The Holy Spirit does all the teaching because you are opening your self up to the supernatural realm of the invisible and eternal Kingdom of Christ and that is why the Scripture says, "Seek FIRST the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto you!" Jesus said, "My Kingdom is NOT of this world." And, "I WILL BUILD MY CHURCH and the Gates of Hell will not prevail against it." The church that Jesus is building is in the east and just beyond our Republican wing and on the east side of his cross and up in the INVISIBLE realm of the Spirit. You and everyone else descended from the womb down on the west side of His cross and we all end up in our Republican wing or further down in our Democrat wing. This visible realm is known as the realm of the flesh in Scripture because is shows up the road that leads west and down from Christ's Kingdom up in Heaven the the many roads that lead down to Lucifer's Kingdom through our Democrat wing and his rules on the earth is on American soil and is in front of our Democrat wing. When you read Scripture and after you do the whole Book of John, then come back to the fist book in the New Testament which is Matthew and do a couple of Chapters and continue through to the end of the entire new Testament and then go back are pick up in Genesis and continue. Make sure you are to the east of our Republican wing when you study because you are up in the Kingdom of Christ because it is all about Heaven's Kingdom and the Disciples of Jesus who are send down into the realm of the flesh to shed light on Heaven's Kingdom. Scripture is NOT about local churches inviting the lost to come into their churches. Jesus taught out in the streets and highways of life where the people are.

Answer 11

Matthew, Mark, Luke and John tell similar story, suggest read John, then read Acts, Paul letters..

Answer 12

Love is Corinthians , But Start at matthew . it teaches you how to follow , its amazing <3

Answer 13

there is no right way to read the bible. like a banquet, just dig in!! groundwire.net

Answer 14

The easiest way to read the Bible is with blindfolds on and a dick in your hand.

Answer 15

tHE WHOLE BIBLE SPEAKS OF ALL OF THE TOPICS YOU HAVE MENTIONED

IT IS BETTER TO SELECT AND READ BY TOPICS

Answer 16

It depends on you,dear.