A little background - I grew up in the church, was saved as a teen, joined the Army and church got lost in the shuffle of other things. I've kept my faith and continue to have a relationship but in my own way. A dear friend from high school and I were chatting the other day about the fact that we would like start reading the Bible and maybe "talking" about it but neither one of us have a clue as to where to begin. I know I don't want it to be Genesis to Revelations type reading. Where should we start?! She is a very good friend that I haven't seen in approximately 30 years but we've tried really hard in the past few years to keep in touch at least via FB and email. I think this would be good for both of us.
I've always been told that people who are "new" to the Bible might want to start in John. I know you're not "new", but it's a place to start perhaps!
I remember being told to begin with the book of John. I might add that Proverbs has 31 chapters in it... one chapter for each day of the month, over and over again.
Here's one that's pretty easy to do: http://www.free-online-bible-study.com/ They only have about 8 of them, but maybe it'll get you started. It's online, but it's not interactive. You can print out the questions and answer them yourselves - they're marked out as "Day One", "Day Two", etc., at a chapter per week, and there's another page with "answers" or suggestions from the author. He's available by email, too. Maybe he'll get some more books completed soon.
I would definitely start in the gospels. Focus on the words of Jesus specifically since the words He said while on this earth are life to us. I realize all scripture is God breathed, but there is something special about the words He chose to say aloud in person.
Agreed - gospels for sure, John being the easiest read. Maybe followed by Matthew, and a trek into Acts. Romans is great down-to-the-meat stuff, but it's heavy and best preceded by the bites offered through the parables of Jesus. I'm finishing up reading my One Year Bible. I started in March of last year so I'm a little behind, but I figure it's fine - I'm finally finishing the whole book "cover to cover" so to speak! It has a little from the Old Testament, a little from the New Testament, Psalms, and a verse or two from Proverbs every single day. Has kept it readable for me! But to me, the daily readings like that are separate from a study for content and discussion type thing. I like to do both.
