Is the Bible One Book?

Say Whaaat?

Confused? Let me explain.

So often, through my few short years of knowing Jesus, I’ve heard so many new people (both believers and non-believers) talk about not knowing where to start when they pick up the Bible.  I’ve heard people comment (including myself) that they just picked up the Bible and began reading from the first page…you know… like we do with all other books that we read!  This is not the case with the Bible.

The Bible is a single book, the written word of God, but the Bible is also a library of 66 books!  PLUS, within each book (such as the first book of the Bible, Genesis) are chapters (the large bold numbers printed within each book) which contain verses (or sentences, labeled by footnotes-tiny numbers) that either help to tell a story and/or offer you a “sentence” to help you engage!

Let’s begin with one of my favorite (and highly recommended!) books to read:

If I read or hear the verse

“Jesus replied, ‘You must love the Lord your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and all your mind.”

(Matthew 22:37)

You may be wondering “how do I find that verse?”  First, go to the book of Matthew, find the bold number (chapter): 22 and then scan through the verses until you find footnote number 37, and voila!  It’s that easy!  Once there, you may find yourself prompted to continue reading (or even back up a few verses or pages) to hear the rest of what Jesus had to say!

Just open the book…and start reading! He’ll guide you to where He wants you to read.  The Bible is not like other books where you must begin from page one in order to understand.  Just open the book!