My 22 year old daughter has expressed interest in reading The Bible. I was raised Catholic (school and all) I absolutely believe God Wins but I haven't practiced Catholicism in a long time, with the exeption of a daily phrase on The Bible app first thing every morning. My question is, is there a recommendation on what Bible she should read that she won't just get overwhelmed and not finish it. My first one was The Children's Bible as a kid. I'm not sure one of my traditional Bibles would keep her interested.
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The Daily Bible. It is a NIV intended to be read in one year. Not only is it digestible, but it is also devotional when there is a commitment to complete daily readings. This gives an opportunity to meditate on God's Word every day, building a great consistent habit that can be transformational to one's life.
The original New Testament scrolls were written in Greek. Why would anyone cling to an English translation that was written in a dialect that was present in the 1600 's? 1600-style English has nothing to do with the original writings. Get a good solid English translation that is done in our current English. My recommendation is the 1984 translation of the NIV, or ESV. Avoid the modern translations that have manipulated the gender verbiage to make it more palatable to leftists.
Tell her to start with the New Testament. Skip the Old Testament for now. King James Version. One printed before 1960 when they started taking out important things like fasting. Stay clear of the Scofield Reference Bible or as some call it the Scofield Study Bible.
The main goal is to listen to what Jesus is saying. Too many people worship the teacher himself but disregard his message.
that's how I started... I had to get to know Jesus, took me many years and finally now I'm reading the Old testament.. it's a journey for me
KJ version is terrible. Septuigent is the best
I dunno - the Septuigent is all Greek to me.
KJV + William Donahue videos are fantastic if you think she is looking for the ultimate message of the Bible - essentially that the kingdom of heaven is within you.
If you think she is looking for religion, I don't have any suggestions (sorry).
I am reading the bible again using "Year in the Bible". It's a 52-week bible study for women.
While I do own several bibles, I am mostly using the Amplified version. May I suggest the online app, Bible Gateway.com? It lists most if not all the versions of the bible and is easy to read.
English Standard version is one of the best modern translations. It's is accurate (not a paraphrase) and easy to read. I also like the older new American Standard version. Those two are tops in accuracy to the original texts. KJV is hard to read (although it is what I grew up on and I do like it personally, I'd be careful as KJV onlyism is very cult like, to the point that they believe that KJV is the only inspired version and all foreign translations must be translated from the KJV, and it is not the most accurate to the manuscripts).
I would have her read the 4 Gospels of the New Testament, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. She would get a well-rounded idea of JESUS CHRIST and a view of HIS life and Majesty as the Creator and his time here on earth to save mankind!
There is no Bible that will not overwhelm if it is carrying God's Word. But it is like reading War and Peace. You cannot go into it with the idea that it is a walk in the park.
I was an atheist for 40 years and, somewhat like Jordan Peterson, I was forced eventually by constant inquiry to recognize God and Jesus. I read 3 Bibles front to back, excluding nothing, different translations, as my to-bed reading. My favorite is the Geneva Bible, which was prevalent among the Protestants at the colonization of the American states. It had extensive commentaries on the Biblical text (you can take them or leave them). But it was in a decision of editorial intolerance of the commentaries that King James commissioned a subsequent version more to his liking. Because the KJV is a political rendition of the Bible, I don't consult it. The Geneva Bible is archaic English, but once you get started, it is possible to get the hang of it, and it is worth learning some new vocabulary. By reading something that has a separation of 468 years from our time, the changes in language impress on the reader such time passage...and also a totally serious tone.
The point (and advantage) of daily reading before lights-out is that one needs only digest 3-4 pages at a time. And then you must reflect on it the following day. Sometimes the meaning is immediate. Sometimes (like for me, King David's instructions to Solomon re the final fate of his enemies), the meaning is subtle. The Book of Numbers is surely a mystery, but there is a purpose. Pastors are wedded to the thesis that everything in the Bible points to Jesus, but I can't go along with that at all. There is much in the Bible that indeed points to God, and amounts to important lessons about the meaning of life and duty. It was all meant to be read. My favorite test question: between the Books of Job and of Jonah, which one had the happy ending and which the unhappy ending?
So, put it to her straight: This is the Word of God. It is not a comic book. It is not a podcast. It is not an action movie. It is not a romance novel. It is not even a Russian novel (though they come close). It is the inspired Word of the Creator of the Universe and the Father of Mankind. It is the heaviest stuff that one can lift. She can either read some "easy to read" glossy comforter, or she can read it as the most serious of men understood it in their day. "Can you take it?" If she has gumption, she will pick the latter. And the Geneva Bible would be a good one to read. "But Mom, it's hard to understand." "Yep, and those who made the translation had to understand ancient Greek and Aramaic and Hebrew in order to render it into English. That's how hard it REALLY is. You are getting off easy. I told you it was no pushover."
And, in fairness and as something good in itself, get yourself a copy of what she is reading, and read in parallel with her, so you can discuss the content of whatever Book she is in. You will not regret it. She will not regret it. And you will have an experience shared that is literally divine. Instead of a solitary chore, it will become a mutual exploration.
Good luck.
Well said. I 2nd this resolve.
King James Version and have her Go to Koinonia House channel on YouTube and watch Chuck Missler and Ron Matsen do a verse by verse explanation. I'm still working my way through, in Deuteronomy. It has been so helpful.
Learn the Bible in 24 hours - Chuck Missler.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZ3hESj__M8
That's session 1 the rest are easy to find on that Channel. Its a great way to introduce the Bible to people.
Besides KJV , which takes real dedication dure to the level of English mastery our kids have, the ESV is very good and easy to read. More word for word rather than a thought for word translation.
Start with John and steer her away from salvation through Mary.
Have her try Hallow app- has all the prayers- Bible in a year podcast with Fr. Mike Schmidt- they have Lent challenges & prayer challenges to so as well.
Personally I'm not a fan, but many of my Bible study group enjoy reading the New Living Translation. It is written in easy to read English. A study Bible with inline notes could be helpful, for example the life application Bible.
I would also recommend following a reading plan, not just randomly reading. The youversion Bible app offers many reading plans. As a new believer I would suggest to look for The Bible recap - new testament plan. Every day it takes you through 3 or 4 chapters and then there is video of about 10 minutes as overview of what you read. If you don't want to use the app, you can also just look for the Bible recap channel on YouTube.
The problem with things like this are that Jesus taught in parable. When the words are re-written to be more modern and pragmatic it takes away from the original intent.
The user TaQo mentioned William Donahue. I think he made a good point with the modern phrase "shoot the bull" If the Bible were to be written today and it said Jesus and Peter went to the alley to shoot the bull about the day's events the New Translated version would say that Jesus and Peter went into an alley and fired a gun at a male cow. The meaning would be completely lost.
If she wants an online Bible, try E-Sword. You can download many versions for free. Make sure she starts reading in the Book of John. Then she can go to Genesis! The Bible is the story of a Nation in the Old Testament and the story of a Man in the New Testament!
Beautifully said
Fr Mike Schmitz's Bible in a Year podcast/YouTube is amazing.
Regardless of the choice of Bible, I suggest The Bible Project playlists that walk through every book of the Bible. This is high quality content that gives overviews of books and explanations with visual drawings that make it easy to follow and understand. It’s like having a professional tour guide for the Bible.
As for Bible translation, for someone starting out, it depends on the person. Based on your post, I suggest the New Living Translation (NLT) because it is designed more for fluid reading.
I have a nkjv study Bible that I really like If she just wants to read the Bible in plain English the Good News Bible My grandma had one I read it all the way through in grade school, so it's been 50 some odd years lol they might have better versions. I also remember the living bible. If she wants to go into deep study Dakes study Bible.
https://www.logos.com/grow/which-bible-translation-is-best/
Amplified bible isn't too difficult.
Make the time to get together to read. You will bothe be blessed. I suggest the Gospel of John then Matthew Mark Luke and John again and on through the New Testament. If you are heavily influenced toward an older English translation I suggest the Geneva Bible. If that particular language is a challenge right now pick an easy reader and get going. Serious intake is key. Pray for God's help consuming and understanding what you're reading. Godspeed fren.
Go to a bookstore and browse the Bibles. Find the one that you find easiest to read and understand. No matter how good a particular translation is, if you can't easily understand it and it doesn't make you want to read it, then you won't. It's more important that you read it once from cover to cover. Once you've done that, you can always go back and get that better translation and have another go at it.
I recommend The Message version of the Bible. Plain everyday English, easy to understand.
MacArthur Study Bible ESV is among the best. 25,000+ footnotes and helpful timelines and maps from the OT to the NT.
Zodervans Study Bible hard copy I picked up from Amazon has been very helpful. We Catholics have been sold “bits and pieces” concept. We don’t ever see the whole picture. The bottom of the page goes through and explains different concepts like what was going on in the area and why did God get so angry and why did he do the things he did. What was the impetuous? I found it helpful it is expensive but worth the information.
Get the Truth and Life app. It's an audio New Testament. With the professional voice actors, it has really opened up my understanding of the Bible. Maybe I'm an auditorial learner. I have been listening to the 4 gospels on repeat. I heard if you are overwhelmed with the bible, start with the gospels for an entire year. Jesus is the main character so make sure you know him very well, plus he is the key that unlocks the entire rest of the Bible.
Audio Bible KJV Narrated by Kim Caviezel.. It's the best
Filament Bibles have an app that tells you more about what you are reading. You just scan the symbol and up pops things like maps, videos, etc.
https://www.tyndale.com/lp/filamentbible
Not sure if you received this as a comment yet, but there are several "read through the Bible in a year" guides on line. Many from churches or missions. Have her make it a year-long goal using one of the plans. It should help in context delivery reading this way.
I find the Septuagint the best translation.
Old Testament
New Testament
Koine Greek Lexicon
Douay Rhemes Bible - and see if you can find a Traditional Latin Mass near you 🙏🏻
Why the fuck would someone go to a latin mass? Are you fluent in latin?
This 👆
Yes and yes!
I was under the impression Catholics worship the pope and not God.
As far as I know the only type of bible you would read as a child is a children's bible. She should read the actual Bible if you don't want her to get overwhelmed then start with Mark, Mathew Luke, John and Acts.
Veneration of Mary is insanity and idolatry. They call her the Queen of Heaven which is blasphemy against God since the triune God rules in heaven not sharing His glory with another. Roman Catholics are mostly delusional, satanic, and convinced they know and worship God (and Jesus) but they do not.
They are doomed…
I'm a "practicing" Catholic, but blessed with a couple good parents that provided guidance and clarification. My mother kept me going to Catholic church & catechism enough as a youngster that I lit my own fire. But she also told me the story of a family that had to leave their home during WWII from the approaching Russians (probably Bolsheviks), led by the town priest and his girlfriend, so I've known enough to question things. She also was protective enough of us to not be taken in by the "Vatican II" stuff of the late sixties - she was very based.
Dad on the other hand, probably wouldn't have to remove both socks if he started counting how many times he attended church in his lifetime. But that didn't mean he didn't believe in God. He told me a story from WWII where when Allied planes were flying over towns on their way to bombing cities in Germany, the local folk were told to get whatever firearms they had and shoot up at the planes, even if they were out of reach. If you didn't, the local folk were instructed to turn and fire on you. (We're living through something like that right now with our own friends & relatives with the "vaccines".) This was the only story he had from "the big war", I can only imagine the things he'd seen as a child growing up that might have made him give up on organized religion services. But I do have a copy of his childhood bible, I don't doubt he had a belief in God.
Catholics, the REAL ones, have always taken what the Popes have said with a grain of salt. There's a wheat vs. chaff event going on right now. Remember we all probably supported the Bushes at some point.
I am a practicing Roman Catholic. We here do NOT worship the pope. More likely they do in Europe. I can’t stand him. But do pray for him on occasion I do worship the three persons in the Holy Trinity.
As for the studying the Bible I am taking a Bible course at my church with other women and I am also taking one with other women in my community of all denominations. I may be unusual but I have read my Catholic Bible (longer than Protestant ones). almost from cover to cover.
Well I am glad to hear that. I am almost positive the Pope is in league with the devil. Maybe it was Europe. I think It is those who are always in the crowd at the Vatican.
Ever hear the phrase "living vicariously"?
The phrase "living vicariously" comes from a mix of English and Latin roots. "Living" is straightforward—Old English libban, meaning "to be alive." The juicy part is "vicariously," which comes from the Latin vicarius, meaning "substitute" or "deputy." That’s from vicis, meaning "change," "turn," or "place"—think someone stepping into another’s role.
Fast forward to English, "vicarious" showed up around the 1630s, meaning "done or felt on behalf of someone else." Pair it with "living," and by the 20th century, it’s this idea of experiencing life through another person’s exploits.
Vicarius Christi does indeed mean "in place of Christ" or "representative of Christ." The term positions the Pope as the earthly stand-in for Jesus, handling the spiritual gig on His behalf. It’s that same Latin vicarius—substitute or deputy—doing the heavy lifting, just swapped from everyday "living vicariously" to a loftier theological context.
"In place of Christ" = Antichrist?
All the popes are in hell for never believing in Jesus as Lord and Messiah.
All they had to do was simply believe in Him as Lord and Savior. Everything else would have fallen into place if they had done that. But they chose not to. They chose self-righteous religion. They are tormented in their flames 🔥 AVOID THE RCC false religion and anyone here slithering through its wasteland ready to strike.
Surprised at all the downvotes. Very few people are perfect followers of their own doctrines, but love to throw stones at the faults they find in the doctrines of others. I do suggest you look at non-Catholic bibles for comparison, but I've found much good, and many good people in the Roman Catholic church, despite my disagreements with the hierarchy, history and the doctrine. I've never met any who worship the pope. My bible and yours both say (I'm paraphrasing, obviously) that those who hunger and thirst for God's righteousness will be rewarded. God bless.
You're right.
Catholicism is a false religion. Stick to the red letter and synoptic gospels.
How often do you get a downdoot from someone who agrees that their doctrines and practices are incorrect?
Yet here we are, because it can’t be said like that.
While it’s true the RCC is a satanic whore doomed to hell, the red letter Bible is not enough. Simple ESV Study Bible will be sufficient.
Jesus's words are enough
Nope. The entire gospels is determined by council(s), all are inspired Word of God, and all necessary.
16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God[a] may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Therefore, you are wrong. And there is nothing you can do about it.
Don't use Paul and make the same argument. You can't. You're đź’Ż wrong brother.
You’re 💯 wrong bruh
Nope. Read your bible
Yep. Your theology is wrong.
I don't know Catholic, or other Christian based study programs very well. Though there is a weekly lesson that helps readers dig more deeply on a personal level with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. It is called the Come Follow Me program (ie follow Jesus Christ).
I know many have a knee jerk reaction to it (because of personal beliefs about this church), though this approach really helps to break the Bible down into smaller chunks & invites readers to ponder the specifics of the passages they are reading & how those passages can be implemented into their own lives.
I would love to see other programs put out to help readers get through these scriptures. If anyone else has some good programs, I would love to hear about them.
Ultimately the journey should be about a personal relationship with Jesus Christ & studying the principles he was teaching us about & how to apply those into our own lives.
Here is an example of a week worth of study & ideas to ponder on while reading. This clearly does point towards other discussions by leaders in the church that published it, as I would expect if it was done by the Catholic faith, they would be citing their own Arch Bishops & clergy.
I hope this at least gives you some ideas on how to help her. There are many great ideas already shared by the frogs in other comments. I hope she really dives in, no matter which method is chosen, and learns all she can about our Savior & his love for her.