Man is so constructed that he can understand only what he loves. To understand the Bible, you need to know more about the One about Whom it tells. Many events in the Bible are not listed in chronological order. Therefore, initially it is better to read the Bible not "from cover to cover", but by semantic parts. Read the Bible in a language that you speak well.
Instructions
Step 1
Study a brief history of the creation of the Bible. You can find information about this in any biblical encyclopedia. If the book you are looking for is not on hand, talk to believers who love to read the Bible. Keep in mind that there are many magazines and books that talk about spiritual truths. Try to talk not to people who read magazines, but to Christians who constantly read the Bible and regard it as the highest authority on spiritual matters. There are a few basic facts to know before reading. The Bible is not one book, but a collection of books. It is divided into two parts - the Old Testament (it contains 39 books) and the New Testament (it contains 27 books). The Old Testament covers the time period from the creation of the world to the birth of Christ (or BC). The New Testament covers the time period from the Nativity of Christ to the 2nd coming of Christ (or until the end of the world, before the apocalypse).
Step 2
Understand the main topic of the Bible. Surely you have a question why so many books of the Old and New Testaments are combined into one. Although these books have been written over several millennia, they all speak of one person - the Savior of people, who is attractive to any culture. Remember films about good heroes, knights, liberators. All of this has deep roots. The Old Testament tells not only about the development of mankind, but also about the coming of the Savior. People expelled from paradise lived for more than 900 years. But the lesson of exile was not enough. People turned their backs on God, loved sin. For debauchery, God reduced the life of people to 120 years, but they did not stop. And they all died during the flood, except for Noah and his family. God promised that there would be no more flood. But God repented that he created man with free will. Because people continued to choose sinful ways. Holiness cannot touch sin. Therefore, God promised that a Savior would come. There are many prophecies in the Old Testament about the coming of Christ. The New Testament tells how the Savior was crucified for the sins of people and resurrected. Now people are dying, but thanks to the sacrifice of Christ, they will be resurrected at the second coming, and will be with God in eternity. The Savior who came to redeem the believers - this is the main theme of the Bible, around which all its books are united.
Step 3
Read the New Testament. It begins with 4 Gospels that tell about the life of Christ. The Gospel of Matthew speaks of Christ as the King, whose coming was predicted by the prophets of the Old Testament. The Gospel of Mark shows Christ as a Servant who came to minister to people with meekness and love. The Gospel of Luke tells about the human nature of Christ, shows him as an ideal Man. The Gospel of John speaks more about the divine nature of Christ, followed by the book of the Acts of the Apostles in the New Testament. It tells how the Holy Spirit worked in the early Churches after Christ's resurrection. Then there are the Epistles of the Apostles - about how Christians should build their lives, waiting for the 2nd coming of the Lord. The last book of the New Testament is Revelation or the Apocalypse. It tells about the end times.
Step 4
After studying the New Testament, read the Old Testament. You will see how God taught people to avoid sin. In 39 books you will read the prophecies about the coming of Christ and see how people perished, turning away from God.
