Question:
Jehovahs witnesses: Where would you suggest I start reading the bible at?
<3
2011-07-27 03:29:27 UTC
Im not a witness. I have tried to read my bible before(i used to study with the witnesses) and I always read through a book and then quit. I dont know why. I have always started at either Matthew Or Genesis.
I feel that, since I start and stop and start all over again, that I have read the book of Matthew quiet a few times, only to stop all together and wait months and try again. I really want to become a witness. I have really bad anxiety though, This causes me to be home bound most of my time, only leaving my house, maybe once a month. The people my husband And I were studying with moved away. We were suppose to start studying with a new couple, but after so many missed bible studies together it was just easier to not study with them at all. They still come to our house, most every week, and drop off some of the recent magazines.
It is just really hard to do anything, with my illnesses, If I cant leave the house much..I cant go to the meetings. If I dont do this then I dont have the encouragement of the brothers and sister..and I dont have the right association.
Has it been hard for any of you other witnesses to get to the point where you are very active in at the kingdom hall. Like started studying then quit, then came back..ect??
But back to my original question, where is the best place to start studying in my bible. I know there was an article on "how to read your bible" But i have misplaced the magazine.
Thanks so much.
Have a good day.
Nineteen answers:
andre
2011-07-27 04:31:37 UTC
i commend you on your willingness to resume your reading. remember when Jesus was about to be arrested and he told his 3 apostles to pray for him and he found them sleeping several times? we stated that the mind is willing but the flesh is weak. he understands our frailties. dod u know what is satan's biggest ploy against Jehovah's people? it's not immorality or materialism but discouragement. do not give up. keep praying for assistance. don't let your illness rule u. take some of your power back. read these scriptures for encouragement: Psalms 55:22, Isaiah 41:10,13, Romans 8:35-38 and 1 Peter 5:6-11. resume your studies. only 15 minutes if needed but your will benefit greatly. i look forward calling you my sister very soon!
Psalms 83:18, Revelation 21:3,4
2011-07-27 07:17:23 UTC
Hey :)

Its nice to know you want to read the bible. Have you tried - instead of picking a book to read - choose an account e.g. ruth and naomi and read it then reflect on what you've read then choose another the next day? You could make a note of the scriptures you read and then you'll know how well you are doing with reading the whole book itself. Something that helps me and most others is prayer. Ask our father Jehovah for a portion of his holy spirit to help you understand and enjoy what you read. I must admit, i've found some parts quite dull but when it picks up, its amazing. Its really, a matter of not looking at it as a chore and actually getting stuck in and reading but also meditating on what you've read.

Why don't you read 5 chapters a day and keep up that schedule?

www.watchtower.org has this schedule you could try: http://www.watchtower.org/e/20090801a/diagram_01.htm

The page also leads to an article that might be of benefit too:

http://www.watchtower.org/e/20090801a/article_01.htm



When you next see the couple who drop the magazines off, why don't you ask them whether they would start up a study again but make sure that it doesn't stop until you've finished e.g. the whole bible teach book and explain that you want it but lack the motivation to continue?

OR, you could ask that you speak to an elder and that he arrange for someone else to study with you both if you feel the other couple weren't getting anywhere?

If your kingdom hall has a call in system, why don't you ring into the kingdom hall when the meetings are to get the benefit of them even if you can't get to the meeting?



Hope i help, and never give up! You can do it!
anonymous
2011-07-27 08:06:33 UTC
Greetings,



I always recommend people start with and continuously read the Psalms and Proverbs. The Proverbs teach us how to live our life under all circumstances; good an bad. The Psalms touch the heart in its many emotions. They comfort us, encourage us, correct us, commend us and show us God's wonderful qualities.



Then I recommend they read one of the synoptic gospels such as Matthew. Then John, then several of the Letters of Paul.



When they wish to read all the Bible I recommend getting what is called a Bible Survey such as the book "All Scriptures Inspired." Read the synopsis for each bible book before you read it so you know the gist of what the book is about and the historical setting, etc.



As for the rest of your questions, you will no doubt find some in the local hall who have had, or do have, the same type of problems. We have several in our congregation who find it very difficult to get out in public for one reason or the other. They do what they can and are many times an encouragement to others.



Hope that helps,



BAR-ANERGES
SUNSHINE
2011-07-27 03:31:42 UTC
Either is good.



Genesis is good if you want an good overall view of scipture - but I warn you Leviticus and numbers is hard going for a novice.



May I just encourage you to take up a serious home bible study with an experienced couple - maybe an elder and his wife or a pioneer.. you see Jehovah has put into place an arrangement of encouragement for a reason - you cannot do it alone. Imagine trying to build a house without any help, hell, even Noah had 6 other people with him. Many of the friends suffer from anxiety or have other problems that makes meeting attendance very hard but there are LOTS of arrangments in place to help such ones.



Personal bible study and meditation is great but I personally don't know what I'd do without my brother and sisters who have very much helped me during a period I'm going through now of ill health, they have been here to support me, cook soup for me, they visited me in hospital and brought be recordings of the convention I could not attend. I implore you, get the help it's there. Step number one, contact the elders explain you problem and get some experienced witnesses to take you under their wing.



Agapé,

Sunshine



I'll star your question so other Witnesses will be along in due time.
anonymous
2016-10-05 08:14:23 UTC
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?
2011-07-27 04:54:45 UTC
Sweetheart, I don't think it is a case of where you should start to read the bible, because that is what you have tried and not been so successful - which is easy to be because the bible is by no means a comfortable read in many cases!



I am somewhat perplexed with you saying that you have a new couple studying but miss out too many studies and so don't study at all? Is this because they do not keep to their side or you cancel out?



I think that you have to take up this study again, this is the only way you can achieve reading the bible and this is because we need help with understanding and when we do, it makes the bible much easier to read and structured too, which is very important.



I too suffer dreadful anxiety and find it hard going out. Thankfully, I have medication that seems to help. You can go to your pharmacy and get herbal medication to help with your anxiety.



It is true that not going to the hall can make it difficult to keep up association, but can you not go with your husband? Especially as you say: we were both studying.



I have read the bible, but not as many times as I should. I did start an excellent regime and got as far as Job, but for some reason, could not go on and feel uncomfortable - in fact, my big bible is by my bed side - gathering DUST - how shameful is that?! Yet my small bible is falling to pieces with over use!!!



We are not perfect, sweetie, by no means and we all struggle that is why we have so many reminders and help from our society. Without that wonderful help, many of us would be in trouble.



Try very hard to take up a study again - that is the only way you can achieve reading the bible.



If you want online help, please don't hesitated to contact me and I will do what I can to help you.



You are making Jehovah's Heart rejoice, so don't be too down on yourself.
Rolando C I
2011-07-27 20:30:17 UTC
Read Genesis first then go to Matthew and read all the way to Revelation. And then come back and start in Exodus and finish the Old Testament.
anonymous
2011-07-27 03:41:51 UTC
Pick up where you left off, or alternate. The important thing is to set a goal and then stick with it. It is like loosing weight, or bodybuilding, or exercising. If you want to loose 30 lbs in six months you set a goal, make a diet and cardio plan and then stick to it. When you change your lifestyle completely then you keep yourself in shape.



The same is true with spirituality. At first it may be hard, but if you have the drive and the stick-to-it-ness needed you can do it. Make a time every day to get out your Bible, find a quiet place, and read. Remember, just like weight training, someone doesn't make huge muscles going into a gym and lifting huge weights once or twice a year. They get it by being consistent, week after week, month after month.



If you want to exercise your spiritual muscles, if you will, you need to be consistent and stick to it. It is better to read five minutes a day than two hours one day and then stop for three months.



I myself always started at the beginning and read through to the end. But I'm a completionist. Once I start something I won't stop until I'm finished with it, I'm just that way. Some try starting with Psalms. Perhaps alternate, read a chapter in the Hebrew Scriptures, a Psalm, a Proverb, and then a chapter in the Greek scriptures, I did it that way once. There are 150 Pslams, so that will keep you going for 150 days. The Proverbs are deep and usually require meditation and research to fully understand, so I never really liked the idea of reading through the Proverbs in a short period of time. So splitting it up throughout your year, if you stick to a plan of reading the Bible in a year is a good idea.



The important thing is to set a goal, you can probably find some excellent Bible reading schedules online if you don't have time to make one yourself. Print it out stick it on the wall, your billboard by your computer, next to your bed, wherever and then stick to it. If you miss a day or two, just make it up, but don't loose heart.



Also, it is pointless to read the Bible without the right heart condition. How many people have read through the Bible countless times without ever learning the truth? Prepare your heart, say a sincere prayer before you begin to read (you need holy spirit to understand what you are reading, and you need to pray for it before you read, not just after), focus on the material, and ask yourself what you can learn from what you read about Jehovah, his love for mankind, and how you can imitate him more in your daily life with others, your family and friends and neighbors. When you finish conclude with prayer. If you find a hard spot and want to research it, keep notes right it down, and if you have extra time then do the research.



One year, when I was 14 I keep the Insight books next to me as I read through the Bible and looked up every Bible character and place as I ran across them, as well as looked up each Bible book before hand to get an overall view of them. That really increased my Bible knowledge, and helps me to this day. Hope some of this advice helps.
anonymous
2011-07-27 03:52:56 UTC
It is hard to tell you where you should start but I feel Matthew is a good starting point if you just want to study the bible.

Jehovah's Witnesses have many good bible study aids & I suggest you start with one of them .

The best suggestion I feel I can make is to talk with the elders of your local congregation , find someone you are comfortable with & start studying , don't give up as time is short , the message is urgent.

In the mean time go to this site & do some serious reading



http://www.watchtower.org/



From an atheist who found Jehovah
?
2011-07-27 04:40:28 UTC
Pray for help in attaining the goals that you set. Set your goal to start studying again. Even if you can only study for fifteen minutes at a time.

Proverbs 27:11

whose heart do you want make rejoice?

Phillipians 4:13

John 17:3
TJ Can't Lose
2011-07-27 16:55:46 UTC
Like Skoota, I'd recommend trying the audio recordings of the Bible, a few chapters everyday. That may help you get into the routine a little easier. http://www.jw.org/index.html?option=QrYQZRQVNlVlYR



I always enjoy listening to 1 and 2 Kings; it's fast-paced, there's a lot of action and you really learn from the examples of others.
anonymous
2011-07-27 07:06:00 UTC
Start reading the Bible at Matthew to Apocalipsis, The New Testament, if you want.
?
2011-07-27 04:06:59 UTC
I also have had trouble with studying but i found that listening to recordings was very helpful

Maybe you could get the bible on cd. Ask the brother/sister that visit for a copy or try this sight for something else to listen to http://www.jw.org/ The yearbooks have some very inspirational stories to relate.



I really hope this helps



:-)
?
2011-07-27 03:35:24 UTC
just read it form the start or read a childrens bible it might be easier not trying to make fun of you but i know the bible is very long and hard to read sometimes and thats why every one confused about it and i think they have those what does the bible really teach books you could read them i dont really follow a religion because every one is muddled up and dont really follow or practice what they teach i love God and belileve in him though so i have a bible you could also look here http://www.watchtower.org/e/201008/article_01.htm it might help
anonymous
2011-07-27 03:38:10 UTC
The best place to begin, the four gospel books; by the words of Jesus Himself.
anonymous
2011-07-27 07:51:53 UTC
Lay the Witness literature aside and the NWT in that it is not a recommended translation of the Bible.



get a real bible and start in Proverbs or psalms or just read what is in RED and starting in the new Testament and these are the words of Jesus



this is a great online bible site:

http://bible.cc/



you can look up any scripture ...cross reference and see scholars comments on the text



EXAMPLE:

http://bible.cc/john/1-1.htm



you can look up John 1:1 and compare it to the New World translation and also click on comments and see if with Witness Bible accurately translates this scripture OR if they change it to benefit their theology
anonymous
2011-07-27 03:30:49 UTC
Read the bible! Let god all mighty save you like he has many of us brother!
Jose
2011-07-27 03:41:29 UTC
read the last 2 words, close it and burn it
anonymous
2011-07-27 05:38:07 UTC
You should read this first.



http://jehovahwitnessmyths.blogspot.com


This content was originally posted on Y! Answers, a Q&A website that shut down in 2021.
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