The Bible is the story of the people of God. It is a vast collection of writings. Christians believe that the Bible reveals God, and God’s living Word, Jesus Christ. Getting to know the Bible opens up enormous resources for learning, spiritual growth, prayer, strength and comfort.

This collection of books was written in Hebrew and Greek by many different people over several centuries. As these writings came out of a world that was quite different to our own, it helps to have some guidance when you read them.

The Old Testament

The Old Testament is the collection of ancient Hebrew Scriptures which were written over many centuries. These were the Scriptures that Jesus and his first Jewish followers knew. A lot of the New Testament refers to the Hebrew Scriptures.

The first five books of the Old Testament (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy) are called the Pentateuch (‘five books’), the Torah (‘teaching’), or the Books of Moses. They include important stories about God creating the world; ancient stories about people like Abraham and Moses; and many laws, including the Ten Commandments.

The rest of the books in the Old Testament are in three general categories. The books of history (Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 & 2 Samuel, 1 & 2 Kings, 1 & 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther) describe the political and religious history of the ancient Israelites and their relationship with God. The books called Wisdom or Writings (Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs) include poetry speaking to God in joy and in grief, and various writings about perennial human concerns – suffering, the meaning of life, love. The Prophets (Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi) brought God’s message to the people of their time, calling them back to God.

The New Testament

The New Testament is the collection of writings about the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, and the beginnings of the Christian church. It was written in Greek, in the first century or so after Jesus’ death and resurrection.

The Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John) are biographies describing the life, teachings, death, and resurrection of Jesus. They are more than simply history – the gospels show us, in Jesus, who God is, and invite us to follow Jesus into new life. Following on from the gospels, the Acts of the Apostles tells the story of the earliest Christians, and the beginnings of the Church. The Letters (Romans, 1 & 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 & 2 Thessalonians, 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon, Hebrews, James, 1 & 2 Peter, Jude, 1 2 & 3 John), also called Epistles, are letters about faith written by various Christian teachers, especially Paul. The book of Revelation is an apocalypse (‘uncovering’), which uses difficult signs and imagery to convey a ‘coded’ message of hope to Christians suffering persecution.

Different kinds of writing

The Bible includes a great variety of types of writing. Some are familiar, such as history (e.g. 1 & 2 Chronicles, Acts), poetry (e.g. Psalms), short story (e.g. Ruth), letters (e.g. Romans). Some types of writing are unfamiliar to modern people. For example biblical prophets (e.g. Isaiah, Jeremiah) were less concerned about foretelling the future than speaking God’s message to their society. Their books use poetry and narratives to get those messages across. Apocalyptic writing is particularly difficult. Apocalyptic books (Daniel, Revelation) were written to encourage people to remain faithful in adversity, and to convey hope for the future. They use mysterious signs and imagery, which may have been a way of criticising the political authorities secretly, to avoid persecution.

Difficult bits

When reading the Bible, you may come across a piece that is confusing, difficult to understand, or even upsetting. You won’t be the first person to have struggled with it: ask a more experienced Christian to discuss it with you. Often understanding more about the context of a passage, or reading it in the light of other parts of the Bible, can really help you to make sense of it. Anglicans welcome questions.

Where to start

Starting on page one and trying to read it all in order is not the easiest approach. If you want to read through a large part of the Bible at once, it’s best to start with the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John). A good study Bible, with explanatory notes, can make it easier to follow.

Understanding the kind of writing a particular Bible reading belongs to is very useful. If your Bible has introductory notes, read them, or ask one of the clergy or a study group leader for some guidance.

As you read, you might like to consider these questions:-
• What was the original meaning? What was the situation at the time? How does it address that situation? What kind of writing is it? This is where explanatory notes, study groups, and introductions are especially helpful.
• Can I apply this meaning today? Our own situation is different from ancient times (e.g. The rules about animal sacrifices in Leviticus aren’t something that we are to put into practice). Even so, human beings haven’t changed that much. Loving God and loving my neighbour are just as important today as 2000 years ago.
• How can I put it into practice? Getting to know the Bible isn’t just about storing up knowledge, it’s about transforming us into the kind of people God made us to be. Think of ways you can put what you have learned into practice.

Reading a little every day will prove more helpful than trying to get through a huge amount occasionally.

One of the most helpful ways to get to grips with the Bible is to discuss it with other Christians. Study groups offer opportunities to learn and ask questions in a friendly environment. Ask one of the clergy what’s available.

Translations

If you go to a Christian bookshop to buy a Bible, you might be surprised by the variety of formats and translations available. While the old King James Version might have the best known quotations, the English language has changed since it was written 400 years ago. We suggest you try a more modern translation like the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV – this is the one we generally use in church services), New International Version (NIV), or Contemporary English Version (CEV). Ask the clergy or a study group leader if you want more advice on choosing a Bible.

Almighty God,
your word is a lamp for our feet
and a light upon our path;
grant that by patient study of the Scriptures
we may follow more closely the way
that you set before us;
through Jesus Christ
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God now and forever.
Amen.