Religion & Family: Bible Study

Bible Study – Introduction

How does one begin reading the Bible?

Should we start with the Old Testament or the New?
Do we read it straight through from page to page?
Do we try to memorize verses?
Does what we read make sense, or does it feel like a story from a distant past?
And most importantly, does the Bible still have value in today’s world?

These are the questions many first-time readers struggle with. For some, the Bible can feel overwhelming or confusing at the very beginning. This discouragement often leads people to give up after an initial attempt, not because the Bible lacks depth, but because it is approached without context.

A helpful way to begin is with the New Testament, and only later explore how it connects with the Old Testament. Even within the New Testament, the order in which one reads matters. It is best to begin with the Gospels, which describe the life and teachings of Jesus.

Among the four Gospels, the earliest written is widely believed to be the Gospel according to Mark. Mark is commonly identified with John Mark, who is mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles:

“Then after completing their mission Barnabas and Saul returned to Jerusalem and brought with them John, whose other name was Mark.” (Acts 12:25)

He is also mentioned in the First Letter of Peter:

“Your sister church in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you greetings, and so does my son Mark.” (1 Peter 5:13)

Here, Peter refers to Mark as his son, indicating a close spiritual relationship. The Gospel according to Mark is often understood as a record of what Mark heard while listening to Peter preach. These teachings became foundational for early Christian communities. Mark’s Gospel is also the shortest of the four.

The Gospels of Matthew and Luke expand upon Mark’s account, often covering the same events while adding additional teachings and details. Because these three Gospels share a similar perspective and structure, they are known as the Synoptic Gospels, meaning they are “seen with the same eye.”

The Gospel according to John stands apart. It was written independently and does not follow the same narrative pattern as the other three. John includes events that are either not mentioned elsewhere or are described differently. Examples include the wedding at Cana (John 2), the encounter with the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4), and the woman caught in adultery (John 8).

There are also differences in the sequence of events. For instance, John places the cleansing of the Temple at the beginning of Jesus’ ministry, while the Synoptic Gospels place it near the end. This is understandable when we consider that John’s Gospel is the most recent of the four, written when John was very old, likely in the early second century.

The earlier Gospels were written closer to the time of the events themselves. John, writing from memory and without relying on the earlier accounts, may have arranged events thematically rather than chronologically.

The Gospels of Matthew and Luke also include accounts of Jesus’ childhood. These events were not witnessed directly by the Gospel writers and were likely passed down through tradition, possibly from Mother Mary herself. This reminds us that the Gospel writers were not writing modern biographies but theological accounts meant to communicate meaning and faith.

As we read the New Testament, we may come across sayings of Jesus that appear to contradict His other teachings. This can be unsettling and may lead some readers to doubt the Bible itself. In most cases, these difficulties arise because we are unfamiliar with the customs, language, and social realities of the time.

For this reason, it is important to read the New Testament slowly and thoughtfully. Begin with the Gospels, read them more than once, and compare one Gospel with another. Most modern Bible translations, especially the NRSV, provide helpful cross-references that guide readers to related passages elsewhere in Scripture.

Do not be afraid to question what you read. Honest questions are an essential part of meaningful Bible study.

Only after gaining familiarity with the New Testament should we turn to the Old Testament. Here too, structure and context are essential. The Old Testament includes different types of writings: the Torah, historical books, wisdom literature, and prophetic books (both major and minor).

Each was written in a specific historical situation for a particular audience. Understanding these circumstances helps us see how these ancient texts remain relevant today.

This blog aims to help readers in all of these areas — understanding context, resolving difficult passages, and seeing how Scripture speaks meaningfully to modern life.

If you encounter questions that are not addressed here, you are welcome to write to me at support@understandingthebible.co.in. If the question allows for a brief response, I will reply directly. If it requires deeper discussion, I will write a dedicated post on the topic and guide you to it.

I will do my best to engage with every sincere question, because thoughtful reading is the first step toward meaningful understanding.

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Bible Study – Introduction

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