Reading the Bible

Hi Keno,
I personally prefer the NKJV study Bible. I like it because the traditional KJV getteth in the wayeth of my understandething it...if you understand what I'm saying ;). Feel free to PM me--our church is starting up an online study via FB that you're more than welcome to join :)

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I am a fan of the NRSV (new revised standard version) of the bible a lot of the time though I also appreciate the NIV and the Message can be nice too. If you go to www.biblegateway.com you can type in any verse or chapter from the Bible and read it in a variety of different English (as well as other language) translations. I would choose a few chapters and read them in the different translations and decide which one you are most comfortable with and then head down to a local Bible book store to find a copy of the Bible in that version.

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NIV New International Version Life Application Bible.......absolutely the best and helped me learn so much!

Good luck!

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I like the New International Version (NIV) - the NIV Study Bible has a lot of good basic study information and this time of year you can often find them at Costco. "The Message" by Eugene Peterson is a paraphrase in contemporary language that I've often found helpful in conveying the central truth or mood of a part of Scripture, especially in sections where the metaphors and cultural references are unfamiliar.
http://www.biblegateway.com allows you to look at bible verses in many different translations (including the Message), so that would be a good place to look and see if any particular translations appeal to you

When I used to be Christian, I preferred the NIV.

By the time my daughter was born, I was no longer Christian, so Bible reading wasn't on our agenda.

Keno...

My bible is two bibles in one, side by side, so that I can read the King James Version and The New International Version. They are almost identical but there are times when the story (for me) is conveyed more accurately in the KJ version. www.harvestreno.org is a church out of Reno/Sparks, Nevada that I listen to almost daily. Pastor Steve is quite a teacher and will put things into terms, while teaching the bible. Good luck and keep studying!

I have a Student Bible that I like - easy to understand but not watered down so the meaning is lost. I highly recommend starting in the NEW Testament - actually the 2nd half of the Bible. Read the Gospels first (Matthew, Mark, Luke & John). Sometimes if you start from the begining, you get lost somewhere around the Book of Numbers. Before you start, ask God to reveal himself to you through His word. Pray that the words will root themselves deep in your heart.

I would recommend the NKJV or the ESV. They are word for word translations, and are excellent for studying the Bible. The NIV is a thought for thought translation that they are also making more "pc" in that it is gender neutral. They are changing the meaning of verses by doing this. Also, it isn't a good one for serious study. My favorite study Bible is the Reformation Study Bible. Excellent study notes, if you want study notes. I'm excited for you! It is amazing to see all that God has done, knowing that He is the same today, yesterday, forever.
Blessings!

As an adult, I prefer the New International Version. It's easier to understand/follow.

A. that is soooooo awesome! I would suggest getting an NIV study bible, google Christian bookstores for one in your area. I am on my third year reading the bible in one year. Our Daily Bread is an online devotional (also available in paper) that gives you a guide line on how to read it in 1yr (about 20 min a day) Otherwise there are 3 and 4yr guides. As far as the kids you can also find lot's of info for them and yourself at these stores......Happy reading and God Bless!

We use KJ, NKJ, Amplified, etc. But what I would suggest for you, just coming from a kids Bible, would be either the New American Standard translation (today's language but sticking with an actual accurate translation) or even The Message which is more a paraphrase than a literal translation, but actually enjoyable to read. You get the point of what the Bible is saying in the Message, but in normal language. But if you wanted more accuracy of "translation" then The New American Standard (NAS) is best.

You've gotten some great responses on which Bibles people prefer, so I have nothing to add there (since it really is a personal preference that you will likely just have to try one or two to determine which ones meets your needs best--tho I like the Concordia Study Bible published through Concordia Publishing. I think it's a New Revised Standard but I'd have to take my protective cover off to find out)

As far as where to start, start at the very beginning...it's a very good place to start! If you can get a solid understanding of the Old Testament events and characters and how they fit together, you can see the foreshadowing and prophecies that were then fulfilled in the New Testament.

If you're looking to kind of ease your way in, you can either start with the Psalms (truly like songs & poetry) or Isaiah or even the New Testament Gospels (Matthew Mark Luke & John).

My son attends a private, Lutheran school and they start at the beginning with Creation (the book of Genesis) and then move to Exodus before studying any other parts of the Bible. There, you'll get the big-hitter events/people of Creation with Adam/Eve, Abraham, Noah, Moses and the Isrealites escape from Egypt along with the Ten Commandments. All good stuff! Much like reading a story book at bedtime, you choose a chapter or less to read through and then talk together about what you just read.

Just in church yesterday, our pastor talked about getting back into reading the Bible on a daily basis. He suggested for us grown-ups to just read a chapter. It won't take very long. My mother used to do this in the morning before us kids woke up and she'd keep a journal where she would write down her thoughts on what she had just read or just whatever thoughts/prayers/struggles she had for the day. Now that she is gone, her journals are incredible gateways into who she was. I think I will start this, too!

Good bible versions that provide a better understanding are Amplified (The Joyce Meyers has some great notes and guides) Also The Message version is great. As far as reading to your children it depends on the age the stories you read and share. I would usually pick things that I was going through with them. If they were lying or stretching the truth I would find scriptures that dealt with that and read them and have them to learn them. When it comes to picking friends the scriptures that deal with being equally yoked. That is not only for marriage, but for all relationships. Sunday school books that have weekly lessons is a good way to go also. You can get a parallel bible that will show 2 versions side by side.

I actually liked my Precious Moments Bible ... it had different things in different color print for different reasons. I do not remember details but I remember I liked it and it was not a "kid" bible. you may also want to go into your local "christian store" and ask someone who works there the same question.

I'm not sure if this is what you're looking for, but my husband reads one of the bible in a year books. It has a passage a day to read, and explains what you're reading. He appreciates how it's broken up.

I use the NKJV, NIV and when I need further clarification in everyday language I open The Message. With my kids I read from their Spark Bible that they use at church...it's has great pictures and the stories are well written to speak to kids. God Bless!

I have a Bible called The Busy Moms Bible. I got mine from the Christian radio station but they have them at Wal Mart now too. I like it because it is NIV so it is easier to understand, plus it has one, five, and ten minute devotions throughout with scripture reference you can look up. It also gives you things to think about in your own life that help you relate to what you are reading.
For my day to day reading I like NIV, but when I am trying to study out something specific I use both the KJV and the NIV. NIV loses a little of the poetry and beauty that you find in the KJV and sometimes it almost over simplifies it. The good thing is though that God knows you are seeking out learning and He will bring you the understanding you desire.

I like the NIV.
I read whatever book I am in w/my Bible Study (usualy Beeth Moore) but I make it "exciting" with my voice ("and Joeseph begat"....would be read read something like "and Jooooseph Begat..."lol)
:)

Personally, I would recommend the The New Living Translation. It is a thought by thought (phrase by phrase) translation versus a word by word translation. If you are looking for a word by word translation, I would recommend the New King James Version.

I would recommend going to http://www.biblegateway.com/ and inserting a familiar portion of scripture. You are able to change between versions of the Bible to read the passage in the various versions to see which one is more understandable for you.

I don't read the Bible, but my aunt gave me a women's bible that had a schedule for reading. It suggests what to read per day and if you keep on the schedule you'll be done in a year. That may help you.

I really like the New International Version Study Bible from Zondervan. The price was reasonable ($35 when I bought it, but that was 8 or so years ago), the cover looks nice, it's a good size to carry in a Bible cover, which holds a pen and note cards, and the notes are helpful and interesting. The language is modern and understandable. There are maps and charts as well, if you like those. My son received a Bible in 3rd grade. It is the New Revised Standard Version Children's Bible from Abingdon Press in Nashville. He still uses it in 6th grade, because it is a complete Bible, but with notes that kids can understand. I don't know the price, but it's a similar convenient size, so I would guess $20-40. Good luck in your search!