4 Things First-Time Readers Should Know
Key Takeaways
➤ The Bible Tells One Unified Story of Redemption: Spanning 66 books written by different authors over centuries, the Bible weaves a single narrative: the story of Jesus. From the Old Testament’s promise of a coming Savior to the New Testament’s fulfillment in Christ, every passage points to God’s plan to rescue and restore humanity. It’s a cohesive masterpiece of love, sacrifice, and hope, inviting us into its living story.
➤ The Two Acts of the Bible Highlight Humanity's Need and God's Rescue: The Bible is divided into two major sections: the Old Testament and the New Testament. The Old Testament lays the foundation, showing humanity’s brokenness and the promise of a Savior. The New Testament delivers on that promise with the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Together, they form an epic, divine love story where redemption is the central theme.
➤ Start Your Journey with the Gospel of John: If you’re new to the Bible, begin with John’s Gospel. It’s like jumping into the action of a great story, providing a clear introduction to who Jesus is and why He matters. John’s purpose is simple yet profound: to lead readers to believe in Jesus as the Son of God and experience eternal life through Him. It's the perfect entry point for understanding the Bible’s central message.
The Whole Bible is Telling One Story
It’s the story of Jesus—the hero who steps into the chaos to rescue humanity.
The Bible is like the ultimate library: 66 books, written by different authors across centuries, in various genres, languages, and places, all telling one story. Seriously, all of it. From the very first garden party in Genesis (featuring Adam, Eve, and a sneaky serpent) to the grand finale in Revelation (cue Jesus’ epic return and the ultimate happily-ever-after), it’s one cohesive narrative.
What’s it all about? Glad you asked. It’s the story of Jesus—the hero who steps into the chaos to rescue humanity. It’s the tale of redemption, God’s unstoppable plan to save us from ourselves and restore what was broken. Think of the Bible as a giant puzzle where every piece fits together perfectly, even if it doesn’t seem like it at first glance. From the promises in the Old Testament to their fulfillment in the New, it’s a masterpiece of storytelling, theology, and love. The best part? It’s not just ancient history; it’s a living, breathing story that invites us to take part in the greatest adventure of all time. How’s that for fascinating?
It's Written in Two Acts: The Old and New Testaments
The Bible is the ultimate epic tale, and like any great story, it’s written in two thrilling acts. Think of it as the original blockbuster—minus the popcorn but packed with eternal significance.
Act One sets the stage with drama, intrigue, and humanity’s sinful debut. Picture this: paradise lost, thanks to some fruit and a persuasive serpent. This act is all about the fall of humanity, our desperate need for a savior, and God’s unwavering promise that a Messiah is coming to rescue His bride—the Church. Spoiler alert: it’s not a “maybe” situation; this promise is set in stone (and scrolls).
Act Two is where things really heat up. Enter Jesus, stage center. His life is the ultimate plot twist, His death is the heartbreak, and His resurrection? The jaw-dropping climax that has everyone talking for centuries. And just when you think the story’s over, Jesus leaves us with a mic-drop moment: a promise that He’s coming back. Talk about an encore worth waiting for.
Together, these two acts form the greatest love story ever told. It’s a tale of redemption, sacrifice, and hope with a divine twist. And the best part? We’re invited to be part of it. Now that’s a story worth diving into!
All Four Gospels Tell One Story
The Bible gives us four gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John—each penned by a unique guy with a unique connection to Jesus. Think of it as four perspectives on the greatest story ever told.
First up, Matthew. This former tax collector had a major career shift when he became one of Jesus’ disciples. Talk about a glow-up! His gospel was written with Jewish Christians in mind, helping them bridge the gap between their past and their new identity in Christ.
Then there’s Mark, who wasn’t one of the Twelve but had the inside scoop thanks to Peter. Early church fathers suggest Mark basically used Peter’s sermons as the foundation for his gospel. It's fast-paced and action-packed, written with gentiles (non-Jews) as the primary audience. Mark keeps it simple but powerful—kind of like a first-century Marvel movie.
Luke, the doctor, took a more investigative approach. He relied on eyewitnesses to piece together his gospel. He was part of Paul’s travel crew and wrote his account for a guy named Theophilus—though it’s pretty clear he expected a broader audience. Luke’s style is detailed and polished, like a historical documentary (but way less boring).
Finally, we have John, one of Jesus’ inner-circle disciples. John’s gospel has a deeply personal vibe, probably because he was super close to Jesus (like BFF close). Written with Jewish readers in mind, John’s account focuses on the spiritual depth of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. But don’t think it’s only for Jews—John knew the whole world needed to hear this story.
Each gospel tells the same epic tale—Jesus’ life, His death, and the mind-blowing reality of His resurrection—but from four different angles. Together, they create a fuller, richer picture of who Jesus is and why His story is the best news you’ll ever hear.
Start with John
When you pick up a regular book, the natural instinct is to start at the beginning. But the Bible is a different ballgame. As we’ve already uncovered, it’s not just one book; it’s a collection of sixty-six, all weaving together one story. That means you can technically start anywhere, but let me suggest an easier approach—read it like Star Wars.
Instead of opening with Genesis, take a cue from George Lucas (and countless Bible readers) and begin with the Gospel of John.
Stick with me here. Star Wars famously didn’t start at Episode I—it dropped audiences smack in the middle of the action with Episode IV. Later, it circled back to the beginning. And guess what? That strategy worked. The Bible can be read the same way. Instead of opening with Genesis, take a cue from George Lucas (and countless Bible readers) and begin with the Gospel of John.
Now, don’t confuse this with 1 John, 2 John, or 3 John. It’s where you’ll get the ultimate introduction to Jesus: who He is, what He did, and why it all matters. And John doesn’t leave you guessing about his mission as an author. He lays it all out for you in John 20:30-31:
"Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.”
Translation: John’s Gospel isn’t just a biography of Jesus—it’s an invitation to believe and experience life like never before. So, grab your Bible, channel your inner Jedi (or disciple), and dive into the story that will change your life. Kicking off with “Episode John” is the unexpected twist that’ll change how you see the whole story.
TL/DR
The Bible is no ordinary book—it’s an epic saga told in 66 installments by multiple authors across centuries. It’s divided into two main acts: the Old Testament sets up humanity’s fall and desperate need for a Savior, while the New Testament delivers the ultimate plot twist—Jesus’ life, death, resurrection, and promise to return. Chapters and verses? Those were added much later to keep us from flipping aimlessly for “that one part.” Start your Bible journey with the Gospel of John, the ultimate "Episode IV," where you’ll meet Jesus front and center. John’s purpose is clear: to help you believe and discover life in His name. Whether you're new to Scripture or looking to deepen your faith, the Bible’s timeless story of redemption and hope invites you to take part in the greatest adventure ever told.
Define Your Terms
(some might call this a glossary)
Gospel—The good news that Jesus Christ fulfilled all the Jewish prophecies and promises made, and through His resurrection, provides a means to salvation.
Scripture: Another word for the Bible.
Chapters: Sections of the Bible that divide the text into manageable parts.
Verses: Smaller divisions within a chapter, usually marked with a number, that help pinpoint a specific part of a chapter for easier reference.
Nugget of wisdom: A short, valuable piece of advice or knowledge that provides insight or helps guide someone's thinking.
Eternal value: Referring to something that lasts forever or has lasting significance beyond this life.
Spiritual gems: Valuable teachings or verses in the Bible that can inspire or guide someone's faith journey.
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To study Scripture well, create a marking key, ask insightful questions, focus on context, jot down your thoughts without fear, and invite God into the process to ensure a deeper understanding and application of His Word.