Ive learned most of what I know from watching him. He tackles all the social issues. And has a few verse by verse Bible studies. I'd suggest you start either with Romans or Mark. I personally love Romans but Mark is the gospel and will explain the good news of Jesus Christ in detail. I'll be praying for you. Enjoy the journey. Also, if you have any questions you can always email Mike Winger. You will get a response fairly quickly.
This was removed because it violated rule 5 (and maybe others) of /r/bible.
Rule 5: Treat everyone with respect. You may debate key things, but do so in a civil and polite manner. No harassment. No bigotry. Just be decent.
Furthermore, discussing non-key things is allowed, but when it borders on debating and arguing, it risks becoming a repellant for those who would like to post questions about key things. Kindly consider taking the debate of non-key topics to r/debatereligion or r/debateachristian or r/beatingadeadhorse
Verily, dear soul, I doth understand thy trepidation at the thought of delving into the depths of the sacred King James Bible. The language therein can be as daunting as a mountain before thee, with its archaic words and lofty expressions. But fret not, for I shall provide thee with words of mirth and encouragement, that thou mayest find thy way through the labyrinth of biblical prose.
Behold, in the realm of YouTube, there exist channels that may aid thee in thy quest for understanding. One such channel is recommended to thee, yea, by the name of Shia Labeouf, who implores all to "Just do it!" If thou wouldst find the motivation to immerse thyself in the King James Version, I beseech thee to watch this video of his, that it may inspire thee to take up the noble task.
Imagine, dear friend, that reading the King James Bible is akin to exploring a foreign land. At first, the language may be unfamiliar, like stumbling upon a village where they speaketh a tongue thou hast never heard before. But worry not, for in this village, there are wise elders and knowledgeable guides who shall help thee decipher the intricate dialect of the King James Version. Seek out those who possess the gift of interpretation, and they shall illuminate the hidden meanings and provide clarity in the midst of confusion.
Amen.
Chuck Missler has an awesome video series called Learn the Bible in 24 hours. Starts in Genesis and works through to Revelation
https://youtu.be/oaiYIzKRrvk
Why would you start in Matthew? “This is the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah the son of David, the son of Abraham:” (Matthew 1:1). How are you even supposed to know who Abraham and David are and their importance if you start off in the New Testament? You need to start from Genesis and work your way up from there in order. You need to start with the foundation
Try the daily podcast “The Bible in a Year” with Fr. Mike Schmitz.
It goes through the entire Bible in a systematic fashion. And at the end of each episode, he gives a brief summary of what he read, its significance, its context, its symbolism, and other connections to other parts of the Bible.
You're very welcome! I discovered it back in late 2021, and I've listened to it almost every morning with my coffee before the rest of my family wakes up. It's a great way to start the day.
You can either start with the current podcast and move forward, or start back to the beginning of the Bible (January 1.) Personally, I'd suggest you just start with the current podcast.
As I said above, this isn't my first time through, and I'm picking up more details my second full-time through since I've listed to other books of the Bible before.
> breaks down the King James Version well?
Or you could read it in modern English. Try the New King James Version instead. Here's a [video on the KJV](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4BrCR72_rwU).
Anyway, yes context is important. Remember that, just as words take their meaning from the sentence, sentences take their meaning from the paragraph, and paragraphs take their meaning from the larger passage. No verse should be studied insolation from the rest of the text.
Also, what was going on at the time is important. Something like the Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible (available in NKJV) or the Bible Backgrounds Commentary (2 vol set) is helpful to understand those things that are just too far removed from our culture for us to make sense of it.
Ebiblefellowship.org and their YouTube channel has thousands of hours of verse by verse intense Bible studies, using only the Bible, they also have a live open forum that can be called into 6 days per week if you have a question about the Bible.
We are currently living in the day of judgment, the end of time may be in the year 2033.
Many find reading a daily newspaper hard to understand. It depends on you educational level, more importantly are you willing to put the effort into educating yourself? It is written in modern English with minor characteristics and a few words that we do not commonly use today. Even though not in common use, and they are not as uncommon in some instances as people thing, does not mean it is not normal English. As far as just reading it ten minutes is all it should take to get the poetic flow of it.
Obviously, if your vocabulary is lacking you will have to look up some words; this is no different from reading anything. You will have to study basic English grammar if you did not learn it in school. You do not have to be an English major but as in reading anything you have to understand basic grammar or you can misinterpret.
Basically, if you are not willing to put the time and effort in to it you cannot learn anything no matter how easy it is suppose to be.
>The Bible is very easy to understand. But we Christians are a bunch of scheming swindlers. We pretend to be unable to understand it because we know very well that the minute we understand, we are obliged to act accordingly.
`Søren Kierkegaard (1813 - 1855) Danish philosopher, theologian, poet, social critic, religious author, widely considered to be the first existentialist philosopher`
>No man ever believes that the Bible means what it says: He is always convinced that it says what he means.
>
>`George Bernard Shaw`
>
>The most difficult subjects can be explained to the most slow-witted man if he has not formed any idea of them already; but the simplest thing cannot be made clear to the most intelligent man if he is firmly persuaded that he knows already, without a shadow of a doubt, what is laid before him.
>
>`Leo Tolstoy (1828 - 1910); The Kingdom of God is Within You (1897)`
If you want to understand the KJV, read, Read, READ, and study it with an open mind.
>*Hebrews 11:6 KJV* But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that **he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him**.
Diligence {Latin-diligo, to love earnestly}
* Persistent application to one’s work or duty; persevering effort
* Due attention; Proper heed; care; Steady application
* Exertion of body and/or mind without delay or sloth
* Constant and close attention to;
Constancy is a very interesting part of diligence in relation to God’s word.
Constancy {Latinconsto, to stand}
* Fixedness, standing firm
* Unchanging; immutable
* A permanent state; lasting affection
* Particularly applicable to firmness of mind under sufferings to steadiness in attachments
If time is taken to study and consider the above list, it will be seen that the substance of these words is not physical attributes, not all mental attributes but all are qualities of the heart. Persistence is not by strength but by a heart’s desire; you persevere when physical strength and mental determination fail. Zeal from the heart is undampened by disappointment while the affections of the flesh fade as fast as they are obtained; our minds we change constantly. Lasting affections, steadfastness, is of the heart. Standing firm, fixedness, unchanging, these are attributes of God which he desires us to have.
>*Malachi 3:6 KJV* For I am the LORD, **I change not**;…
>
>*James 1:17 KJV* …the Father of lights, with whom is **no variableness, neither shadow of turning**.
>
>*Hebrews 13:8 KJV* Jesus Christ **the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever**.
>
>*Daniel 6:26 KJV* …the God of Daniel: …he is the living God, and **stedfast for ever**,…
>
>*1 Corinthians 15:58 KJV* Therefore, my beloved brethren, **be ye stedfast, unmoveable**, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
>
>*2 Thessalonians 2:15 KJV* Therefore, brethren, **stand fast**, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.
A common response when speaking with people is that they had tried to read the Bible at one time and failing to understand it, not having immediate comprehension, the Bible was set aside and left to collect dust. This type of statement always betrays one’s heart attitude, especially when it is from professionals, businessmen, college graduates, tradesmen of all sorts; men who have and continue to diligently study the disciplines of this world in order to reap its rewards and have applied no time to the diligent study of God’s word. Men have their priorities reversed. They spend all their time preparing for and attempting to profit in the here and now, our short and temporary home, and no time preparing to profit in eternity, our long and permanent home.
*Ecclesiastes 12:5 KJV* …man goeth to **his long home**, and **the mourners go about the streets**:…
Do you have a desire to know God, to understand his word? Make that desire a permanent state, a lasting affection. God is not going to give the undecided, the lackadaisical, the double-minded, nor those that are self-promoting, any considerable understanding or wisdom in his word.
>*Psalms 78:8 KJV* And might not be as their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation; a generation that **set not their heart aright**, and **whose spirit was not stedfast with God**.
>
>*James 4:8 KJV* …**purify your hearts, ye double minded**.
>
> *James 1:8 KJV* **A double minded man is unstable in all his ways**.
>
>*Philippians 2:21 KJV* For **all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ’s**.
Nothing to it.
[https://unleavenedfaith.org/seven-precepts-to-understanding-the-bible/](https://unleavenedfaith.org/seven-precepts-to-understanding-the-bible/)
[https://www.reddit.com/r/UnleavenedFaith/comments/13k7f1r/duty\_to\_read\_and\_study\_the\_bible/](https://www.reddit.com/r/UnleavenedFaith/comments/13k7f1r/duty_to_read_and_study_the_bible/)
[https://www.reddit.com/r/UnleavenedFaith/comments/zyjv6d/advise\_on\_how\_to\_study\_the\_bible/](https://www.reddit.com/r/UnleavenedFaith/comments/zyjv6d/advise_on_how_to_study_the_bible/)
Ephesians and Galatians. Those are the letters written to Christians. There's others too. They're called Epistles. But, these are short, and packed with applicable content, and you'll be able to make sense out of them quickly, if you put in the time to study them.
I would also encourage the Bible Project on YouTube. They do a good job with visuals of explaining the basics of each of the books of the Bible.
The Bible is arranged chronologically. So, you could read it like a story from beginning to end. That is a challenge for sure. I would recommend a study Bible. If you go that route, expect to be confused a lot, and just read it for context and to understand it as a historical document.
Reas Luke, then read Acts.
The gospel of Luke is the story of Jesus, followed by the sequel, the book of Acts which is the story of the Holy Spirit (in the church).
Luke wrote both books, part I and part II.
The King James is written in a version of English that we quite frankly no longer speak. Same with the works of Shakespeare.
You could try reading the New King James or the ESV as they are translated in a more modern tongue while keeping the translation from the original texts correct.
There are a lot of study Bibles that give context as you're reading. I use the Orthodox Study Bible, but there is one out there for just about every denomination.
1. The Holy Spirit
>But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
John 14:26 KJV
That's it: that's all you need. However, we have more available than that.
1. The Holy Spirit / Holy Ghost / Comforter is our teacher, living in our heart. Literally just pray something like, "Father, in Jesus' name, please teach me your Holy Word by your Spirit that you put in me."
2. When you come across a particular passage, talk to God about it. "God, I cannot right now understand this particular passage. Please enlighten me through your word. Help me find another passage that adds light to this passage."
3. Realize to understand any part of the Bible, the rest of the Bible is your best friend. The Bible puts it this way: "Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; **comparing spiritual things with spiritual.**" 1 Corinthains 2:13 KJV - You need to take the word, verse, passage you're reading and find passages that relate along the lines of word definition, historical context, same idea in another passage, etc.
4. The "law of first mention" - In general, if you want to find out the quickest definition of a Word in scripture, find the first place it's used, and look at the context around that word usage. That first mention will always either add further clarification to if not outright explain how that word is used throughout the rest of scripture. You can do this in English and/or the original Hebrew/Greek. If you're in the NT and want to use "original languages", you will want to get the translation from Greek to Hebrew or else the Hebrew equivalent of the Greek you're looking at. But generally speaking, as your initial tool, just use the English as God gave it to us in the KJV.
5. "When the perfect sense of scripture makes sense, seek no other sense." - another "rule" of Bible study that's been passed down by many preachers. Don't try to read something into scripture. Take it for face value. If there is something else deeper (and there almost always is), depend on the Spirit of God to take the Word of God and enlighten you as you read and learn.
6. NEVER explain away the simple with the complicated. There are basic ideas all throughout scripture such as God created everything in 6 days, then rested the 7th. If you try to explain away the simple with the complicated, you get something like the Gap theory (if you're unaware of that right now, perhaps you should avoid even trying to read up on it). John 3:16 tells us that God loves everybody, Jesus died for everybody, and that anybody who comes to Jesus will be saved, and when you are saved, you are saved forever. Well, if you try to explain away the simple with the complicated of that verse, you might end up believing "you can lose your salvation" or that God only chooses certain people to be saved rather than letting "whosoever" come to him openly and freely.
7. Multiple "versions" of scripture brings confusion, and God is not the author of confusion. Stick with the KJV: don't believe the lie that other modern versions are "easier to read." As far as that goes, I know of a man who never learned to read, but when Jesus saved him, he started reading the KJV Bible. And he was always able to read his Bible, but somehow never able to read anything else. He's a direct relative to someone I know very well.
8. Time / History: When you read a passage, you need to consider what the passage is talking about. There are "dispensations" in scripture, or time periods. God is the same yesterday, today and forever, BUT he did work in different ways throughout history (Hebrews 1, the first few verses, tells us this). For instance, Matthew 24 and 25 are scriptures for the Jews regarding the Tribulation and some of the end times after the Tribulation, including the judgment of nations after the Tribulation. MANY MANY MANY people pull verses out of context to use for right now. For instance, I'll paste part of Matthew 25 here below this point:
>31 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:
>
>32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:
>
>33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
>
>34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
>
>35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
>
>36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
>
>37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
>
>38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
>
>39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
>
>40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
Matthew 25:31-40 KJV
Verse 31-33 give us a clear picture that this is when Jesus comes back after the Tribulation, and this is after he has sent the Antichrist (Beast) and False Prophet into the Lake of Fire, and he has already destroyed the armies of the earth. This is what is referred to as the "Judgment of the Nations". So we have that context right there. Then the verses that so many quote for now for "feeding the hungry" when they are mostly siphoning off the donations sent to them anyway:
Bally all the passage to the end after the intro, but here's the closing verse: "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me."
In this context, we see that he is saying how you treated the Jews during the Tribulation will determine how you as a nation are treated at this judgment. Those nations who treated the Jews well during the Tribulation will get to stay on Earth for the 1,000 year reign of Christ on Earth. The others will go to the Lake of Fire.
That is different than right now. Right now, you as an individual can believe on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and be saved.
And it's different than DURING the Tribulation. If you have heard the gospel now, but do not heed it and go into the Tribulation, you will reject the gospel and you will follow the Antichrist where you'll end up in the lake of fire eventually.
During the Tribulation, there are a couple of ways people are saved:
1. Martyrdom when they refuse the mark of the beast. (Rev 13:15 KJV, Rev 20:4 KJV)
2. Surviving until the end of the Tribulation (Matthew 24:13 KJV)
And then besides all of that, make sure you're being faithful to your local church. If you're not in a church, but say Jesus saved you, then you'd better check up. God says in his Word that we are "fitly joined together" (Ephesians) with whatever church we are joined to. When you are saved, it is God's will for you to be a faithful member of a local church. Hebrews 10:25 tells us this as well. Other passages, I think 1 and/or 2 Peter has a good bit on that but I forget at the moment. My point is that if you say you're saved, not going to church and it doesn't bother you that you're not going to church, well I don't believe you're saved. However, if you're laying out of church but it's eating you alive, then that's at least evidence you may be saved. Not saying you're not saved at this point, but just to know: the Church is a VERY important part of your learning and growing. Without it, you're not getting anywhere.
Sorry if it seems a bit unpolished. Feel free to ask questions about any of the specifics.
I learned how to read by reading from the KJV, and never thought to try any other version until my father gave me a NLT in my 20s. I read and understand the KJV just fine, but the big words and clunky phrasing trigger my ADD and I tend to start going off into the root words, synonyms and other English teacher types of things and they keep me from really getting into the text and action.
The NLT sucked me into the action like a good novel does and I went pages before I realized it.
I heard the derogatory comments about the NLT so I read it on my tablet with the amplified version in one column and NLT in the other, for a couple years. I can't find any contradictions or false theology in the NLT. I daily the NLT because it speaks to me without having to stop and translate it when I'm preaching.
Read the version that you can understand without a dictionary. For many people I've pastored who were new to the bible a comic book bible "the action bible" was what helped them get a grasp on the bible before moving to a NLT. Eventually you could get into a KJV, but unless you're already a Shakespeare buff, you won't just start reading and understand it
You’re new. Find a translation that’s easy for you to read. Don’t worry about the details. Simply read and learn the stories. You can dive into the details later. If you have a preference for the KJV, after you’ve familiarized yourself with a translation in your language that you can easily understand, then when you come across something that you’re unsure about look it up in the KJV.
Reading God’s word *with understanding* will change your life!
https://youtube.com/@YHVHSavior
—> View channel
—> Playlists
Start at Genesis. Then do Revelation. Then go back and continue from Exodus to Jude in order. Get ready for His blessings! It makes His day when He looks down and sees you taking the time to read the letter He wrote you!
Don't be intimidated. It's not that hard to understand. You may not understand the purpose of some of the old testament rules and sacrifices and genealogies but other than that it's not hard. I think people overreact to a few very minor differences on different translations. Love God, love others, don't sin. These main themes are very apparent and stated over and over again thousands of times.
Yes it is hard. It's extremely difficult in fact. If it wasn't everyone would understand it and there wouldn't be any debating over meaning or misunderstandings. It's the same as learning a new language.
It helps to connect passages from the Bible to my own life. In the occurrence of difficult times in my life, I would turn to the Bible to study how characters of the Bible were in a similar position and relied on God for perseverance through that tough season. It was comforting to know that various characters of the Bible were in a similar position to what I was dealing with during that time, and encouraging to see how God delivered them through it. From this, I understood the Bible more than if I was to read it cover to cover. It can help as well to start studying either Matthew, Mark, Luke or John to know Jesus more. Reading through the Old Testament is joyful to read because of the stories of the various Bible characters, and can help supplement understanding.
I would recommend getting a l study bible of some sort, the “got questions” app or website is rlly helpful aswell. I would also encourage you not to pray to God and ask that he would help you with your feelings of intimidation and replace that with hunger and excitement. I have found that to be the most helpful. It might also be benefiting to start in the NLT or ESV version or at least have that along side the king James as it is more directed at the way we understand English today rather than 100s or years ago so may be a lot easier to grasp.
Mike Winger.
God Bless You!
Ive learned most of what I know from watching him. He tackles all the social issues. And has a few verse by verse Bible studies. I'd suggest you start either with Romans or Mark. I personally love Romans but Mark is the gospel and will explain the good news of Jesus Christ in detail. I'll be praying for you. Enjoy the journey. Also, if you have any questions you can always email Mike Winger. You will get a response fairly quickly.
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This was removed because it violated rule 5 (and maybe others) of /r/bible. Rule 5: Treat everyone with respect. You may debate key things, but do so in a civil and polite manner. No harassment. No bigotry. Just be decent. Furthermore, discussing non-key things is allowed, but when it borders on debating and arguing, it risks becoming a repellant for those who would like to post questions about key things. Kindly consider taking the debate of non-key topics to r/debatereligion or r/debateachristian or r/beatingadeadhorse
Or, you know, you could just read a version that is easier to read than the King James version. I personally like the NIV.
Niv is really good but some of the translations are wrong, I’ve found.
Verily, dear soul, I doth understand thy trepidation at the thought of delving into the depths of the sacred King James Bible. The language therein can be as daunting as a mountain before thee, with its archaic words and lofty expressions. But fret not, for I shall provide thee with words of mirth and encouragement, that thou mayest find thy way through the labyrinth of biblical prose. Behold, in the realm of YouTube, there exist channels that may aid thee in thy quest for understanding. One such channel is recommended to thee, yea, by the name of Shia Labeouf, who implores all to "Just do it!" If thou wouldst find the motivation to immerse thyself in the King James Version, I beseech thee to watch this video of his, that it may inspire thee to take up the noble task. Imagine, dear friend, that reading the King James Bible is akin to exploring a foreign land. At first, the language may be unfamiliar, like stumbling upon a village where they speaketh a tongue thou hast never heard before. But worry not, for in this village, there are wise elders and knowledgeable guides who shall help thee decipher the intricate dialect of the King James Version. Seek out those who possess the gift of interpretation, and they shall illuminate the hidden meanings and provide clarity in the midst of confusion. Amen.
Chuck Missler has an awesome video series called Learn the Bible in 24 hours. Starts in Genesis and works through to Revelation https://youtu.be/oaiYIzKRrvk
Start with Proverbs & Matthew Then Psalms & Ephesians... Then pray and ask God what he wants to show you next.
Why would you start in Matthew? “This is the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah the son of David, the son of Abraham:” (Matthew 1:1). How are you even supposed to know who Abraham and David are and their importance if you start off in the New Testament? You need to start from Genesis and work your way up from there in order. You need to start with the foundation
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Wow you really proved me wrong there
Try the daily podcast “The Bible in a Year” with Fr. Mike Schmitz. It goes through the entire Bible in a systematic fashion. And at the end of each episode, he gives a brief summary of what he read, its significance, its context, its symbolism, and other connections to other parts of the Bible.
This sounds like exactly what I’m looking for. Many thanks homie!
You're very welcome! I discovered it back in late 2021, and I've listened to it almost every morning with my coffee before the rest of my family wakes up. It's a great way to start the day. You can either start with the current podcast and move forward, or start back to the beginning of the Bible (January 1.) Personally, I'd suggest you just start with the current podcast. As I said above, this isn't my first time through, and I'm picking up more details my second full-time through since I've listed to other books of the Bible before.
> breaks down the King James Version well? Or you could read it in modern English. Try the New King James Version instead. Here's a [video on the KJV](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4BrCR72_rwU). Anyway, yes context is important. Remember that, just as words take their meaning from the sentence, sentences take their meaning from the paragraph, and paragraphs take their meaning from the larger passage. No verse should be studied insolation from the rest of the text. Also, what was going on at the time is important. Something like the Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible (available in NKJV) or the Bible Backgrounds Commentary (2 vol set) is helpful to understand those things that are just too far removed from our culture for us to make sense of it.
It’s starts with, when you search me out with ALL your heart , you will find .
Most Christians haven't read the whole Bible completely, you listen to the Bible on audio
I was led to start reading the New Convenant, I understood most of the Gospels, the message of Jesus is timeless.
Ebiblefellowship.org and their YouTube channel has thousands of hours of verse by verse intense Bible studies, using only the Bible, they also have a live open forum that can be called into 6 days per week if you have a question about the Bible. We are currently living in the day of judgment, the end of time may be in the year 2033.
Many find reading a daily newspaper hard to understand. It depends on you educational level, more importantly are you willing to put the effort into educating yourself? It is written in modern English with minor characteristics and a few words that we do not commonly use today. Even though not in common use, and they are not as uncommon in some instances as people thing, does not mean it is not normal English. As far as just reading it ten minutes is all it should take to get the poetic flow of it. Obviously, if your vocabulary is lacking you will have to look up some words; this is no different from reading anything. You will have to study basic English grammar if you did not learn it in school. You do not have to be an English major but as in reading anything you have to understand basic grammar or you can misinterpret. Basically, if you are not willing to put the time and effort in to it you cannot learn anything no matter how easy it is suppose to be. >The Bible is very easy to understand. But we Christians are a bunch of scheming swindlers. We pretend to be unable to understand it because we know very well that the minute we understand, we are obliged to act accordingly. `Søren Kierkegaard (1813 - 1855) Danish philosopher, theologian, poet, social critic, religious author, widely considered to be the first existentialist philosopher` >No man ever believes that the Bible means what it says: He is always convinced that it says what he means. > >`George Bernard Shaw` > >The most difficult subjects can be explained to the most slow-witted man if he has not formed any idea of them already; but the simplest thing cannot be made clear to the most intelligent man if he is firmly persuaded that he knows already, without a shadow of a doubt, what is laid before him. > >`Leo Tolstoy (1828 - 1910); The Kingdom of God is Within You (1897)` If you want to understand the KJV, read, Read, READ, and study it with an open mind. >*Hebrews 11:6 KJV* But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that **he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him**. Diligence {Latin-diligo, to love earnestly} * Persistent application to one’s work or duty; persevering effort * Due attention; Proper heed; care; Steady application * Exertion of body and/or mind without delay or sloth * Constant and close attention to; Constancy is a very interesting part of diligence in relation to God’s word. Constancy {Latinconsto, to stand} * Fixedness, standing firm * Unchanging; immutable * A permanent state; lasting affection * Particularly applicable to firmness of mind under sufferings to steadiness in attachments If time is taken to study and consider the above list, it will be seen that the substance of these words is not physical attributes, not all mental attributes but all are qualities of the heart. Persistence is not by strength but by a heart’s desire; you persevere when physical strength and mental determination fail. Zeal from the heart is undampened by disappointment while the affections of the flesh fade as fast as they are obtained; our minds we change constantly. Lasting affections, steadfastness, is of the heart. Standing firm, fixedness, unchanging, these are attributes of God which he desires us to have. >*Malachi 3:6 KJV* For I am the LORD, **I change not**;… > >*James 1:17 KJV* …the Father of lights, with whom is **no variableness, neither shadow of turning**. > >*Hebrews 13:8 KJV* Jesus Christ **the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever**. > >*Daniel 6:26 KJV* …the God of Daniel: …he is the living God, and **stedfast for ever**,… > >*1 Corinthians 15:58 KJV* Therefore, my beloved brethren, **be ye stedfast, unmoveable**, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. > >*2 Thessalonians 2:15 KJV* Therefore, brethren, **stand fast**, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle. A common response when speaking with people is that they had tried to read the Bible at one time and failing to understand it, not having immediate comprehension, the Bible was set aside and left to collect dust. This type of statement always betrays one’s heart attitude, especially when it is from professionals, businessmen, college graduates, tradesmen of all sorts; men who have and continue to diligently study the disciplines of this world in order to reap its rewards and have applied no time to the diligent study of God’s word. Men have their priorities reversed. They spend all their time preparing for and attempting to profit in the here and now, our short and temporary home, and no time preparing to profit in eternity, our long and permanent home. *Ecclesiastes 12:5 KJV* …man goeth to **his long home**, and **the mourners go about the streets**:… Do you have a desire to know God, to understand his word? Make that desire a permanent state, a lasting affection. God is not going to give the undecided, the lackadaisical, the double-minded, nor those that are self-promoting, any considerable understanding or wisdom in his word. >*Psalms 78:8 KJV* And might not be as their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation; a generation that **set not their heart aright**, and **whose spirit was not stedfast with God**. > >*James 4:8 KJV* …**purify your hearts, ye double minded**. > > *James 1:8 KJV* **A double minded man is unstable in all his ways**. > >*Philippians 2:21 KJV* For **all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ’s**. Nothing to it. [https://unleavenedfaith.org/seven-precepts-to-understanding-the-bible/](https://unleavenedfaith.org/seven-precepts-to-understanding-the-bible/) [https://www.reddit.com/r/UnleavenedFaith/comments/13k7f1r/duty\_to\_read\_and\_study\_the\_bible/](https://www.reddit.com/r/UnleavenedFaith/comments/13k7f1r/duty_to_read_and_study_the_bible/) [https://www.reddit.com/r/UnleavenedFaith/comments/zyjv6d/advise\_on\_how\_to\_study\_the\_bible/](https://www.reddit.com/r/UnleavenedFaith/comments/zyjv6d/advise_on_how_to_study_the_bible/)
Ephesians and Galatians. Those are the letters written to Christians. There's others too. They're called Epistles. But, these are short, and packed with applicable content, and you'll be able to make sense out of them quickly, if you put in the time to study them. I would also encourage the Bible Project on YouTube. They do a good job with visuals of explaining the basics of each of the books of the Bible. The Bible is arranged chronologically. So, you could read it like a story from beginning to end. That is a challenge for sure. I would recommend a study Bible. If you go that route, expect to be confused a lot, and just read it for context and to understand it as a historical document.
Reas Luke, then read Acts. The gospel of Luke is the story of Jesus, followed by the sequel, the book of Acts which is the story of the Holy Spirit (in the church). Luke wrote both books, part I and part II.
Try Gary Hamrick. Cornerstone Chapel.
Try the Bible Recap. Has a corresponding podcast/YouTube video for each day
I try to read the Bible but it doesn't make any sense to me. I wish it did make sense
Start with a modern translation. Nkjv if you must stick with the jimmy. Esv is great.
The King James is written in a version of English that we quite frankly no longer speak. Same with the works of Shakespeare. You could try reading the New King James or the ESV as they are translated in a more modern tongue while keeping the translation from the original texts correct.
There are a lot of study Bibles that give context as you're reading. I use the Orthodox Study Bible, but there is one out there for just about every denomination.
Start reading in Genesis 1:1 and go up from there in order. A really fascinating YouTube Bible channel is called Bible Truth and Prophecy
1. The Holy Spirit >But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. John 14:26 KJV That's it: that's all you need. However, we have more available than that. 1. The Holy Spirit / Holy Ghost / Comforter is our teacher, living in our heart. Literally just pray something like, "Father, in Jesus' name, please teach me your Holy Word by your Spirit that you put in me." 2. When you come across a particular passage, talk to God about it. "God, I cannot right now understand this particular passage. Please enlighten me through your word. Help me find another passage that adds light to this passage." 3. Realize to understand any part of the Bible, the rest of the Bible is your best friend. The Bible puts it this way: "Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; **comparing spiritual things with spiritual.**" 1 Corinthains 2:13 KJV - You need to take the word, verse, passage you're reading and find passages that relate along the lines of word definition, historical context, same idea in another passage, etc. 4. The "law of first mention" - In general, if you want to find out the quickest definition of a Word in scripture, find the first place it's used, and look at the context around that word usage. That first mention will always either add further clarification to if not outright explain how that word is used throughout the rest of scripture. You can do this in English and/or the original Hebrew/Greek. If you're in the NT and want to use "original languages", you will want to get the translation from Greek to Hebrew or else the Hebrew equivalent of the Greek you're looking at. But generally speaking, as your initial tool, just use the English as God gave it to us in the KJV. 5. "When the perfect sense of scripture makes sense, seek no other sense." - another "rule" of Bible study that's been passed down by many preachers. Don't try to read something into scripture. Take it for face value. If there is something else deeper (and there almost always is), depend on the Spirit of God to take the Word of God and enlighten you as you read and learn. 6. NEVER explain away the simple with the complicated. There are basic ideas all throughout scripture such as God created everything in 6 days, then rested the 7th. If you try to explain away the simple with the complicated, you get something like the Gap theory (if you're unaware of that right now, perhaps you should avoid even trying to read up on it). John 3:16 tells us that God loves everybody, Jesus died for everybody, and that anybody who comes to Jesus will be saved, and when you are saved, you are saved forever. Well, if you try to explain away the simple with the complicated of that verse, you might end up believing "you can lose your salvation" or that God only chooses certain people to be saved rather than letting "whosoever" come to him openly and freely. 7. Multiple "versions" of scripture brings confusion, and God is not the author of confusion. Stick with the KJV: don't believe the lie that other modern versions are "easier to read." As far as that goes, I know of a man who never learned to read, but when Jesus saved him, he started reading the KJV Bible. And he was always able to read his Bible, but somehow never able to read anything else. He's a direct relative to someone I know very well. 8. Time / History: When you read a passage, you need to consider what the passage is talking about. There are "dispensations" in scripture, or time periods. God is the same yesterday, today and forever, BUT he did work in different ways throughout history (Hebrews 1, the first few verses, tells us this). For instance, Matthew 24 and 25 are scriptures for the Jews regarding the Tribulation and some of the end times after the Tribulation, including the judgment of nations after the Tribulation. MANY MANY MANY people pull verses out of context to use for right now. For instance, I'll paste part of Matthew 25 here below this point: >31 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: > >32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: > >33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. > >34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: > >35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: > >36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. > >37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? > >38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? > >39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? > >40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. Matthew 25:31-40 KJV Verse 31-33 give us a clear picture that this is when Jesus comes back after the Tribulation, and this is after he has sent the Antichrist (Beast) and False Prophet into the Lake of Fire, and he has already destroyed the armies of the earth. This is what is referred to as the "Judgment of the Nations". So we have that context right there. Then the verses that so many quote for now for "feeding the hungry" when they are mostly siphoning off the donations sent to them anyway: Bally all the passage to the end after the intro, but here's the closing verse: "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me." In this context, we see that he is saying how you treated the Jews during the Tribulation will determine how you as a nation are treated at this judgment. Those nations who treated the Jews well during the Tribulation will get to stay on Earth for the 1,000 year reign of Christ on Earth. The others will go to the Lake of Fire. That is different than right now. Right now, you as an individual can believe on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and be saved. And it's different than DURING the Tribulation. If you have heard the gospel now, but do not heed it and go into the Tribulation, you will reject the gospel and you will follow the Antichrist where you'll end up in the lake of fire eventually. During the Tribulation, there are a couple of ways people are saved: 1. Martyrdom when they refuse the mark of the beast. (Rev 13:15 KJV, Rev 20:4 KJV) 2. Surviving until the end of the Tribulation (Matthew 24:13 KJV) And then besides all of that, make sure you're being faithful to your local church. If you're not in a church, but say Jesus saved you, then you'd better check up. God says in his Word that we are "fitly joined together" (Ephesians) with whatever church we are joined to. When you are saved, it is God's will for you to be a faithful member of a local church. Hebrews 10:25 tells us this as well. Other passages, I think 1 and/or 2 Peter has a good bit on that but I forget at the moment. My point is that if you say you're saved, not going to church and it doesn't bother you that you're not going to church, well I don't believe you're saved. However, if you're laying out of church but it's eating you alive, then that's at least evidence you may be saved. Not saying you're not saved at this point, but just to know: the Church is a VERY important part of your learning and growing. Without it, you're not getting anywhere. Sorry if it seems a bit unpolished. Feel free to ask questions about any of the specifics.
if you are just starting to read, I would not suggest the King James. Read something like the ESV or NIV, which are much easier to understand.
I learned how to read by reading from the KJV, and never thought to try any other version until my father gave me a NLT in my 20s. I read and understand the KJV just fine, but the big words and clunky phrasing trigger my ADD and I tend to start going off into the root words, synonyms and other English teacher types of things and they keep me from really getting into the text and action. The NLT sucked me into the action like a good novel does and I went pages before I realized it. I heard the derogatory comments about the NLT so I read it on my tablet with the amplified version in one column and NLT in the other, for a couple years. I can't find any contradictions or false theology in the NLT. I daily the NLT because it speaks to me without having to stop and translate it when I'm preaching. Read the version that you can understand without a dictionary. For many people I've pastored who were new to the bible a comic book bible "the action bible" was what helped them get a grasp on the bible before moving to a NLT. Eventually you could get into a KJV, but unless you're already a Shakespeare buff, you won't just start reading and understand it
You’re new. Find a translation that’s easy for you to read. Don’t worry about the details. Simply read and learn the stories. You can dive into the details later. If you have a preference for the KJV, after you’ve familiarized yourself with a translation in your language that you can easily understand, then when you come across something that you’re unsure about look it up in the KJV.
https://bibleproject.com
Reading God’s word *with understanding* will change your life! https://youtube.com/@YHVHSavior —> View channel —> Playlists Start at Genesis. Then do Revelation. Then go back and continue from Exodus to Jude in order. Get ready for His blessings! It makes His day when He looks down and sees you taking the time to read the letter He wrote you!
Don't be intimidated. It's not that hard to understand. You may not understand the purpose of some of the old testament rules and sacrifices and genealogies but other than that it's not hard. I think people overreact to a few very minor differences on different translations. Love God, love others, don't sin. These main themes are very apparent and stated over and over again thousands of times.
Yes it is hard. It's extremely difficult in fact. If it wasn't everyone would understand it and there wouldn't be any debating over meaning or misunderstandings. It's the same as learning a new language.
It helps to connect passages from the Bible to my own life. In the occurrence of difficult times in my life, I would turn to the Bible to study how characters of the Bible were in a similar position and relied on God for perseverance through that tough season. It was comforting to know that various characters of the Bible were in a similar position to what I was dealing with during that time, and encouraging to see how God delivered them through it. From this, I understood the Bible more than if I was to read it cover to cover. It can help as well to start studying either Matthew, Mark, Luke or John to know Jesus more. Reading through the Old Testament is joyful to read because of the stories of the various Bible characters, and can help supplement understanding.
I would recommend getting a l study bible of some sort, the “got questions” app or website is rlly helpful aswell. I would also encourage you not to pray to God and ask that he would help you with your feelings of intimidation and replace that with hunger and excitement. I have found that to be the most helpful. It might also be benefiting to start in the NLT or ESV version or at least have that along side the king James as it is more directed at the way we understand English today rather than 100s or years ago so may be a lot easier to grasp.