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R
I would agree. For someone who knows absolutely nothing about Jesus or the Bible, John is a great place to start.
More general advice- TAKE YOUR TIME.
It's not like Harry Potter or something where you can just rush through it and get the basic idea. Every word of the Bible is important and it covers a lot of very profound, heavy things. Take your time and fully digest what you're reading before you move on.
In the beginning was the Word,
and the Word was with God,
and the Word was God.
He was with God in the beginning.
All things were created through Him,
and apart from Him not one thing was created
that has been created.
Life was in Him,
and that life was the light of men.
That light shines in the darkness,
yet the darkness did not overcome it.
More general advice- TAKE YOUR TIME.
It's not like Harry Potter or something where you can just rush through it and get the basic idea. Every word of the Bible is important and it covers a lot of very profound, heavy things. Take your time and fully digest what you're reading before you move on.
In the beginning was the Word,
and the Word was with God,
and the Word was God.
He was with God in the beginning.
All things were created through Him,
and apart from Him not one thing was created
that has been created.
Life was in Him,
and that life was the light of men.
That light shines in the darkness,
yet the darkness did not overcome it.
S
Get a New King James Version Orthodox Study Bible and begin at the Gospel of John. Read the entire Gospel of John because it will introduce you to the Lord Jesus Christ, in a way that is excellent, although, Matthew, Mark, or Luke are excellent, too.
See: Sparks, Jack N., Ph.D., Dean, Editor. (2008). Orthodox Study Bible. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Bibles.
See: Sparks, Jack N., Ph.D., Dean, Editor. (2008). Orthodox Study Bible. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Bibles.
I suggest starting with the New King James Version or the New American Standard Bible. Those two are good literal translations. I wouldn't start with the 1611 King James unless you were good with your Shakespear. 
Once you're fimilar with the Bible, pick up the Ampified Bible. It puts the symbols and meanings of words in brackets. But you don't want to memorize from it.
Once you're fimilar with the Bible, pick up the Ampified Bible. It puts the symbols and meanings of words in brackets. But you don't want to memorize from it.
The Gospel of John
This gospel is written to those who are not Jews. It's written in a way that says anyone and everyone can come to know Jesus Christ.
1 John
This book affirms the physicality and actual existence of Jesus Christ in the flesh and focuses on other parts of the gospel, like repentance and righteousness, as well as the dangers of falling away
James
The book is straightforward on everything. It is written as a sermon, and cuts to the chase concerning faith, works, the tongue, etc
This gospel is written to those who are not Jews. It's written in a way that says anyone and everyone can come to know Jesus Christ.
1 John
This book affirms the physicality and actual existence of Jesus Christ in the flesh and focuses on other parts of the gospel, like repentance and righteousness, as well as the dangers of falling away
James
The book is straightforward on everything. It is written as a sermon, and cuts to the chase concerning faith, works, the tongue, etc
R
I'd go John first, then Genesis, then back to the gospels or maybe even epistles (Ephesians or Corinthians maybe)
I would say just read straight through, but I hear of a lot of people giving up on the Bible by the time they get to Leviticus. They aren't ready to wrap their heads around all of Jewish law
I would say just read straight through, but I hear of a lot of people giving up on the Bible by the time they get to Leviticus. They aren't ready to wrap their heads around all of Jewish law
B
Many good and very fine answers to this!! For myself,I was told to start in the book of Romans,the reason? Because the Book of Romans shows us first where we are presently, the book shows why God and his righteousness is better then our own.( rom 5) how to apply this verses 12-21) Chapter 6 points out because of this grace we now have, is this a reason to sin more? Chapter 6
Then just when we think we are the only ones fighting the problem of our own flesh, Paul writes what every believer needs to understand within themselves!! WE ALL struggle (Rom 7:15-25) Then our truth in this struggle!! chapter 8. What is expected of us,how we are to live. The battle for every believer starts where we have the greatest problem! In our own minds!! ( rom 12:1-2)
The Word is to take the place, of our fleshly mind. We have to make a new tape in it.And this only comes by digging deep into the Word of God! To replace I cannot, with I can!!( rom 8:37-39) That nothing will ever come between God and me!! When you have this done!! THEN!! You will have the confidence you need to press forward,never looking back,to see that great example for us!! Jesus!!( the gospels!) John is my favorite of them as well.
I hope I have helped you,we all can start from wherever we wish,but the point is!! to start! For one can never win a race,until one is in it!( 1 cor 9:23-27!!) It takes discipline!! Something our flesh hates with a passion to do! Blessing to you all in Christ!
Then just when we think we are the only ones fighting the problem of our own flesh, Paul writes what every believer needs to understand within themselves!! WE ALL struggle (Rom 7:15-25) Then our truth in this struggle!! chapter 8. What is expected of us,how we are to live. The battle for every believer starts where we have the greatest problem! In our own minds!! ( rom 12:1-2)
The Word is to take the place, of our fleshly mind. We have to make a new tape in it.And this only comes by digging deep into the Word of God! To replace I cannot, with I can!!( rom 8:37-39) That nothing will ever come between God and me!! When you have this done!! THEN!! You will have the confidence you need to press forward,never looking back,to see that great example for us!! Jesus!!( the gospels!) John is my favorite of them as well.
I hope I have helped you,we all can start from wherever we wish,but the point is!! to start! For one can never win a race,until one is in it!( 1 cor 9:23-27!!) It takes discipline!! Something our flesh hates with a passion to do! Blessing to you all in Christ!
S
I second John. It is the only won written for non-believers, and it covers the basics of Jesus. Then read Luke-Acts, which is one book in two parts. Matthew, Mark, and Luke are all very similar, but since Luke is meant to lead directly into Acts, I would do that. Acts is an AWESOME book. It shows you how poerful God is meant to be in our lives. Everything that happened then can and does happen now.
I'm going to be unpopular, though, and not recommend the King James version. It's a grammatically inaccurate book, will make you think that God speaks Elizabethan English, and convinces people that God has a shiny gold mansion for you to live inside until the end of eternity. It's not a travesty to read, but NIV is much better, especially for someone new to the faith. I avoid KJV if I can get my hands on the New International Version or New Living Translation. New American Standard Bible is more literal word-for-word anyways.
I'm going to be unpopular, though, and not recommend the King James version. It's a grammatically inaccurate book, will make you think that God speaks Elizabethan English, and convinces people that God has a shiny gold mansion for you to live inside until the end of eternity. It's not a travesty to read, but NIV is much better, especially for someone new to the faith. I avoid KJV if I can get my hands on the New International Version or New Living Translation. New American Standard Bible is more literal word-for-word anyways.
B
I agree with you swizzlesticka!! I use the New American standard version myself,but have a K.J. and when I really wish to study I love the amphifyied as well. When I began to get the Word in me, Holy Spirit promised me,that, that which I would learn from HIS Word I would retain!! I still have a ways to go,but I praise him, for telling me the truth! I know Jesus in me has helped so many,I am boastful in Jesus!! I could never!! ever have done this without his power,wisdom,love, and amen grace!( 1 john 2:27) abiding love!!,abiding anointing!! There is nothing better then Jesus to me saints!!
R
i actually found john very difficult at first...it has a lot of 'philosophical' stuff that some beginners will have trouble understanding...
the simplest gospel is mark...it was originally written for romans who usually liked to keep things brief and to the point
matthew is also a very good one to start with...especially if you already have an old testament background... matthew was originally written for jews and it focused especially on jesus' fulfillment of old testament prophecy
the simplest gospel is mark...it was originally written for romans who usually liked to keep things brief and to the point
matthew is also a very good one to start with...especially if you already have an old testament background... matthew was originally written for jews and it focused especially on jesus' fulfillment of old testament prophecy