The church on the World Wide Web Key Skills

Ever thought of reading the Bible? Perhaps you were put off by it's length? Or maybe you might feel silly if someone were to discover you reading it? Maybe you tried to read one which was written in an old fashioned style? DON'T BE PUT OFF! LET US HELP YOU! Reading the Bible is one of the first and most important key skills for anyone to learn, especially when using this site. However, the Bible is not always an easy book to read. Therefore, before we come to the method, you would be well advised to obtain (or borrow) a modern English translation of the Bible for your own use. You will then have a copy of God's word written in a language, and in a style, that you can relate to more easily. Here are three examples of a modern English translation, that we would particularly recommend for anyone new to the Bible. Today's Living Bible The Good News Bible The New International Version Now that you have access to a Bible, you will find a Table of Contents near the front. This is the list of books that your Bible is made up of. Next to each one, is given the page number where it starts. You will also notice that the list of books is divided into two sections, The Old Testament, and The New Testament. So, now to the method. When you want to select a Bible Study on this site, you will often see a Bible reference used to help you, while you are reading through it. Here is an example: MATTHEW. 10 : 12 If you were to follow this example, you would first of all find the book of Matthew. Secondly, leaf through Matthew until you come to chapter 10. Next, look through the verses, until you come to the one numbered 12. Now you have found your Bible reference. Books to look out for are those with a number before the name. For example, 2 Corinthians. This means that there is more than one book called Corinthians. In this case, you would make sure that you are looking in the second book of Corinthians, before going on to find the rest of your Bible reference. Look out too, for books with the name John. There are four books in the New Testament with that name. One is simply the Gospel of John. The other books are letters by that name, numbered 1,2 and 3. Some books are quite small, and have no chapters, just verses. For example, 3 John. In this case, you would find your book, then go straight to the verse given with your reference; eg. 3 John. : 7. Download this key skill in text form.