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Originally Posted by buzzoff1031
Actually, my pastor recommended the Old Scofield (from like, 1917 I think) because if said they change stuff in the newer ones. I was thinking about just starting in Genesis and just reading through like a regular book, what do you guys think?
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Hello. Start at Genesis! Why ? Because the first verse sets the tone for the rest of Scripture. " In the beginning God..." Think on that verse for awhile. It is winter time now so I would suggest you go outside tonight and look up into the sky. The cold air makes the view better. Our God created everything you can see, and the little molecules that you can't see. Genesis is the Book that tells us what/why/when/where/who and how. So many people and concepts found in Genesis are found in The 4 Gospels. The Lord Jesus mentions Abraham (father of the faithful) and many other things found in the first Book.
Then turn to the new Testament and contrary to many folks who say read John,,, I say read Matthew first. Why ? Because it is the first Gospel placed there by The Holy Spirit . Matthew starts with the beginning of the family tree, then the birth of Jesus and onward. Step-by-step with Him and the Disciples. { I'm in league with the late Dr. J. Vernon Mcgee on this. He never understood why folks tell new believers to start with the most difficult of the 4 Gospels-(John) rather than learning first from Matthew,Mark and Luke ( my favorite). }
Then turn to the 2nd Book of the Bible which is Exodus. It is full of not just historical information, but it is where the 10 Commandments are given to Moses from The Lord God Almighty! You will see people time and again complaining about God and Moses, and their food supplies and a host of other things which are still being done thousands of years later by humans.
Now I would suggest you read a chapter at a time---straight through. If you have a question, or something doesn't make sense to you, then get a spiral notebook and a pen/pencil and write down the Book-chapter-verse and put a ? mark on the paper. Then keep reading to the end of the Chapter. Often you will find the answers to the questions in the New Testament books. Be patient. This is a long process that is not done overnight.
Another thing to do/read is a chapter each day from Proverbs. Proverbs has 31 chapters and is a great thing to read while eating breakfast before you head off to work or school. God's wisdom and ways are much different than the world's ideas. At night read a chapter from the Psalms. Start at Chapter 1 verse 1 and go on through.
After you finish the Gospels, start the Acts of the Apostles---before you jump into the Epistles (Letters). Acts takes up where Luke ends. It is the history of the brand new movement known then as "The Way" later known as "Christianity". It covers a span of about 40 years. I think the Epistles will make more sense to you if you start at the beginning of Acts.
Read Revelation L A S T after you have read the Old Testament Prophets. Otherwise you will get diverted onto another "siding", and miss the main "Track" ( to use a little railroad lingo..). Some folks over the years get so bogged down trying to figure out what the various things mean in Revelation , they completely neglect or lack any understanding of things found in the Torah--the 5 Books of Moses. The Base of the house must be laid down first, then lastly the shingles/tiles. Too many Christians spend their time trying to guess about when the Lord is coming back, but only the Lord God in Heaven knows that, not us.
There are some sections of the Bible which may be "slow going" or "dull" to you, but keep going as that way you will gain the understanding you need. The words were breathed by God The Holy Spirit. They are there for a reason. Christ Jesus had many battles/hassles with the Devil, and the Pharisees/Sadducees/Scribes and He was able to overcome them (and anger them) by quoting the Word of God to them.
Hope this helps you.