John 20:31

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What is the Bible? You'll get different answers from different people.

• The Word of God.
• One of the main ways God speaks to us.
• A text book for Christian living.

One church Statement of Faith says: "The Word of God in the Old and New Testaments discerned under the guidance of the Holy Spirit is the supreme authority for the faith and conduct of all God's people."

All these are right. The Bible tells you all you need to know for how to develop a close personal relationship with God and how to grow as a Christian. It will help you develop successful and satisfying principles for living according to God's plan. It will not rob you of the duty to think and pray things out for yourself or provide readymade solutions or blueprints for every situation.

Many modern situations weren't invented when it was written! But God hasn't changed - nor basically has man.

It is a collection of writings by people inspired by the Holy Spirit over many hundreds of years. prayerfully selected by people guided, by the Holy Spirit in the 2nd 3rd and 4th centuries AD, so that..

GOD CAN USE IT TO SPEAK TO YOU

There are 66 "books" - all different - drama, history, poetry, song, teaching, command, encouragement. The Bible was written mainly in Hebrew (Old Testament) and Greek (New Testament). Before printing, thousands of manuscript copies were made, many with slight variations. There are no originals available. All Bibles as we have them are translations and there can be no scientific proof as to which most accurately reflects the original meanings. Academics and theologians argue endlessly about this - who wrote what ... and when ... and so on. This may be important but beware ... Satan uses just these arguments to put people off. Don't get caught up in them.

Many people were brought up on the Authorised Version (AV, also known as King James-KJV) dated 1611. Beautiful English (if you like Shakespeare) but some find it not too easy. The New English Bible (NEB) was produced in 1961 in an attempt to get a modern definitive version. Most people involved in the Renewal of the church that is currently being brought about by the Holy Spirit seem to go for the Revised Standard Version (RSV), the New International Version (NIV), the Good News Bible (GNB, also called Today's English Version-TEV) or the Jerusalem Bible, any of which are good and readable. There is also the Living Bible, which is very easy reading, especially for the Old Testament history stories but is a paraphrase - not a translation - and should not, therefore, be relied on as a main study Bible.

Before buying, ask a number of Christians to show you theirs, the lay out, the cross referencing etc. A Bible with pictures helps you find texts. Don't buy one too big - you'll want to carry it about. Or too small to read. (That sounds daft but people do!)

Starts at creation: looks forward to Jesus.
Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy:- The original Hebrew scriptures. Often called "The Law". Sets out God's plans and systems for his people from the beginning.
Joshua, Judges, Ruth, Samuel (2), Kings (2), Chronicles (2), Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther:- basically a history of the developing relationship between God and man over 2,000 years of recorded time.
Job, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon:- called "wisdom literature"- a collection of learning about God and man arising from experience of God's dealing with his people.
Psalms (comes after Job - open your Bible slap in the middle) The Hebrew hymn book - 150 songs which capture almost every aspect of man's response to God. You will always find one somewhere that speaks to you and for you. A psalm a day helps you work, rest and pray!
Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel and then 12 "minor" prophets:- A prophet is someone chosen by God to tell forth (not necessarily foretell) his word. Most prophet, should be read as speaking simultaneously to their own time and to the future often in a glorious time muddle that is quite hard to sort out. Jesus fulfilled literally hundreds of Old Testament prophecies (see especially Isaiah and e.g. Luke 4:18)
The Apocrypha (litterally "hidden books") at first hidden from people because of uncertainty about their authority. Some books are now included in some Bibles.

Matthew, Mark, Luke & John:- The "gospels" (the word means "good news") The life and teaching of Jesus, his death for our forgiveness, his resurrection and victory. Each writer has his own slant. Matthew ties in with the Old Testament, Mark is short and punchy, Luke is the careful reporter and John -"the disciple whom Jesus loved" the most intimate and Spirit orientated.
Acts - the continuation of Luke - the work of the Holy Spirit in the early church. The book doesn't seem to end in its 28 chapters. The Holy Spirit goes on working perhaps we are the 29th chapter. Romans, Corinthians(2), Galatians, Enhesians, Philippians, Colossians, Thessalonians(2), Timothy(2), Titus, Philemon, Hebrews, James, Peter(2) John(3), Jude:- These are all
letters written to people or churches to encourage, correct, answer questions (which are not always apparent), etc. Much of the church's teaching is in the letters. The titles are usually the recipients but sometimes (just to be difficult) the writers. No one really knows who wrote Hebrews.
Reveation:- The final book - a vision, a God given fantasia. some Of it weird symbolism looking forward to the end times. Chapters 1-3 offer direct warnings and blessings to church situations that still exist today. Some of the rest is quite difficult to understand, much argued over but very beautiful and - again -God will speak to you through it.

It's usually a mistake to start with Genesis and try to work through. A new Christian probably can't do better than starting with Luke, then Acts, then Ephesians. If you are coming back to the Bible, start with John, then Acts, then 1 Corinthians. Read 1 or 2 chapters a day. Mull them over, let your mind roam round the ideas and events. Ask God to show you something in the passage he actually wants to do this so give him the chance! Take time. Read imaginatively. Think what it must have felt like. What happened between the verses?

If, after praying a verse or passage "Jumps out at you" it may well be the Holy Spirit speaking to you specially. Mark the passage (coloured pencils are useful) and go back to it. This won't happen every time but when it does, it is very exciting. Get yourself a good study aid: Scripture Union, Every Day with Jesus are good and available at most Christian bookshops. They give daily readings and some teaching and explanation. Have a regular "quiet time" when you can pray, read and be with God. Ask a Minister or other experienced Christian for tips, help etc. They've, all had to learn and will enjoy sharing with you.