Part 4. Reading the Bible.

Reading the Bible.  Easy, start at Genesis and finish with Revelation.  End result? You might in turn  have been excited, bored, curious, exasperated, confused and probably thinking the author of Revelation had been on magic mushrooms. What is the sum total of the experience? Put off religion for life, wishing to understand more, deeply moved and desiring to have faith or something else?

Where to turn to next? A trip to the library, bookshop, the internet or a visit to a church to attend a service? All are problematic. There is a vast range of books about the Bible, some clear and concise,  others long and opaque. It can be  bewildering.  The internet is awash with posts and equally confusing. So,   attend a church service and hopefully find someone to talk to.

Which church to attend? So much choice. Probably best to try a number of churches. Not only do churches differ considerably in the way services are conducted but also in their theology. It may be that geography and transport determine your choice.  Some churches have congregations drawn from wide areas, others from the immediate locality. Once you have lit upon a church you find congenial how much do you learn about faith from sermons or Bible studies?

Does all this look daunting? It can be. My advice is: take your time.

Having considered the pitfalls and traps how does a person move forward positively? May l suggest you acquire two volumes: a study Bible which is a bible with explanatory notes and secondly The Messenger written in colloquial English.

My first port of call would be Mark's Gospel followed by Matthew and then Luke, the synoptic gospels as they tell of the life and message of Jesus. There is much similarity in the three gospels but they are by no means identical. Together they provide an excellent introduction to what is means to be a Christian. Or a follower of Jesus?