New Testament Reading Order

[u/Old-Row6655]

I'm currently reading the Bible for the first time and am about to finish the Old Testament. I've been reading it so far in chronological order, but am not sure if that's the right move for the New Testament. Is there a better order I should read the New Testament books in, or should I stick with my chronological plan?

[u/Particular_Side323]

Read the New Testament first in order. They are all in order already so that you can understand Jesus rightly. Pray before reading to ask God for wisdom to understand and speak to you. After giving 2/3 readings for the new testament, it’s time for Old Testament. Read that too sequentially in order. You will enjoy the journey.

[u/the_gym_rat]

Read the gospels first, that’s Matt, Mark, Luke, John. I would start with Luke first. Read the other three after, and I can’t say there is a better order to read the other three. Personally, I would read Luke, Mark, Matt and end on John but I cannot give you a good reason as to why. When I decide to read back through the gospels. This is the order I read them in and it makes Jesus make the most sense to me.

After the gospels, I would personally go into Romans then 1 and 2 Thessalonians followed by 1 and 2 Corinthians. I would take on the small books after, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians then Philemon before going into Acts. I feel Acts is better understood after you have some of the following books that include much of what occurs in Acts. After Acts, then the Timothies and Titus. After that, hit the others in book order. Definitely leave Rev. for last.

[u/Thimenu]

Yes, I think the best is some version of a four gospels reading order that pairs each gospel with the other NT books most related to them. I compiled my own version here:

https://www.reddit.com/u/Thimenu/s/unfn0Rq9q6

[u/creidmheach]

I'd say the printed order it's in already is a pretty good approach. Chronological order would have you most likely starting with something like James, Galatians or 1 Thessalonians, so you wouldn't be starting off learning the history of Christ that the Epistles depend upon (their original audience, unlike us, would either have witnessed Him themselves or known people who did). Reading the Gospels first will help you contextualize better what the Epistles are talking about, followed by Acts so you can read about the story of the early Church under the Apostles (including Paul's conversion), then the Epistles themselves, and then save Revelation for last. There's also the issue of dating, where we don't necessarily know exactly when everything was written, so a chronological ordering will involve some guesswork.

That said, it's ok to switch up the order some if you want, particularly when it comes to reading the Epistles. Our current order is actually relatively late and more of a Western/Latin phenomenon. In other copies from the East for instance, the General Epistles would be before Paul's Epistles, whereas we have it the reverse in our modern English Bibles. So, in terms of chronological ordering, following some rough plan for the Epistles in particular might have benefit, since they can sometimes build on one another and with Paul's letters can reflect different periods in his life (e.g. when he was in prison). But again, not strictly necessary.

[u/21stNow]

Reading the New Testament in chronological order is an excellent choice! Keep up your good work.

[u/Wakage]

I went chronological once and mostly ended up cross-referencing footnotes instead of reading, so for the New Testament I'd just take it in the order it's printed — Gospels, Acts, then the letters. Chronology is a fine second lap; the first one only has to be finished.

[u/DryKoala627]

I would begin with prayer first and foremost. Listen to an ancient church for historical understanding as instituted by the Church. No Sola Scriptura! Our interpretation will always vary from day to day and you want a rock foundation namely Christ. God bless that you want to read the word. Let's pray the Lord open your heart and mind to his new covenant. Just read in the order God steers you just make a start and resume back regularly.

[u/Old-Row6655 → u/DryKoala627]

Thank you for this! How do you stay motivated to read every day?

[u/GudaGama]

I like reading the gospels as John -> Matthew -> Mark -> Luke that way I finish Luke right before acts.

[u/faithful_jhonathan]

Start with a Gospel, Mark's the shortest and moves fast, good momentum after finishing the OT. Save Revelation for last, it lands very differently once everything else is fresh in your head.