How to Begin Reading Your Bible: Part Two
Recently, God convicted me really bad. A little backstory—I’ve been teaching Sunday school for about a year now, and I’m on my path to becoming a youth pastor at my church. I’m still very new to this because for the 16 years I’ve been in my church, I worked as the production team director. But I’ve always had a passion for kids.
This passion started as a teenager when I always wanted to bring my friends to church so they could experience Jesus too. As I got older, I realized it wasn’t just about getting my friends to come to church but about my whole generation coming to Jesus.
Throughout this year, I’ve been combining the lesson plans with what I know because I love Bible study and gaining knowledge of God. I thought sharing how cool the Bible is to the kids would also lead them to a curiosity of their own. But recently, God convicted me, reminding me that knowledge doesn’t lead people to repentance—God’s love does (Romans 2:4).
This conviction pushed me to study how to truly help the kids I teach love Jesus—not to make them behave better but to love Him genuinely. A book I’m reading emphasizes that our Sunday school lessons shouldn’t be based on knowledge or how to behave as Christians but simply on the cross and Jesus (1 Corinthians 2:1-5).
@sweetz, If you had asked me a few weeks ago, my answer would’ve been completely different. But now, I would say: After you’ve read the Bible basics, dive into Jesus and the cross. Yes, the story doesn’t change, but this old good news will constantly change you, time and time again.
Here are some books of the Bible that emphasize Jesus and the cross, purely because of God’s love:
💛 Colossians – Emphasizes Christ’s supremacy and the reconciliation brought through His death on the cross. Start with chapters 1 and 2.
💛 1 Peter – Discusses Christ’s suffering and the purpose of His death, offering hope and encouragement to believers. Check out 1 Peter 2:24 and 3:18.
💛 1 John – Speaks about God’s love manifested through Jesus’ sacrifice, emphasizing the power of His blood for forgiveness and cleansing (1 John 1:7, 4:9-10).
I’m realizing that if you don’t have a genuine love and appreciation for Jesus and what He did on the cross, you’ll start to think your Christian behaviors are what save you. I can say this because that was me just a few weeks ago. Can anyone relate? #UnlearningSalvation
#MondaysWithModisty #beginnersbible #christianlifestyle #biblestudy
Reading the Bible is a journey that begins not just with knowledge but with a genuine love for Jesus and His message. Understanding the core of Christianity hinges on the cross and the transformative power of God's love, as seen in passages like Colossians 1 and 1 Peter 2. These texts illuminate Christ's supremacy and His sacrifice, reinforcing the idea that it’s not our deeds that lead to salvation, but faith and love. For those new to the Bible, focusing on books like Colossians, 1 Peter, and 1 John is essential. Each of these books highlights key aspects of Jesus’ love and grace, encouraging your spiritual growth. Colossians emphasizes reconciliation through Christ, while 1 Peter offers encouragement amidst suffering, showcasing the purpose behind Jesus' death. Similarly, 1 John speaks directly to God's love, illustrating the importance of clemency and forgiveness. As you begin this enlightening journey, remember that engaging with the text should cultivate love and awe for Jesus rather than mere adherence to rules. This shift in perspective will deepen your relationship with Him and enrich your Bible study experience.
Thank you soooo much for this! I’ve been wanting to read the Bible, but didn’t know where to start. For the last year I feel like I’ve hit a low point and regardless of how much i subconsciously was questioning God, He KEPT showing up! And He kept showing up when it was the right time. Your first post was a sign to me