Most people love a good book.
We can be swept away in a story full of intrigue, betrayal, murder, and perfect twists. Then the ending fulfills every promise made by the author. We finish and can’t wait to tell everyone else what a great book it was and recommend they read it, too.
If you’ve never read the Bible – you’re missing out. There’s more than one reason it’s referred to as the ‘Good Book.’
It really is a good book. It has it all and then some more – a roller-coaster ride for the soul.
You’ll find the inside scoop to many questions we have in life:
- Where did we come from?
- Why are we the way we are?
- What is love?
- Why do I feel something is missing?
It’s thick and can be a bit intimidating. But isn’t it awesome we have the opportunity to know the author of the bestselling book of all time?
When we read the Bible we’re getting to know God. His Word is alive and changes us when we read it.
For the Word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Hebrews 4:12
My own thoughts about God have changed as I recognized what I thought wasn’t true. The Bible can transform us and trade the lies we might believe for truth.
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness. 2 Timothy 3:16
We have the greatest story of all time written down for each of us to know what God really thinks about things. And how He feels about us.
Reading it is wonderful but when we study, we will find invaluable treasure.
Here are five books of the Bible every senior should study:
1. Genesis
So many incredible events take place in the book of Genesis:
- Creation
- The first sin and a curse
- The first murder
- God floods the earth
- Joseph and a great famine
When we read through Genesis or remember the stories from when we were young, we get great information. But when we take time to study the events and what God does throughout this book, we see Jesus coming at the very beginning of the Bible. Foreshadowed wonderfully for us to find in the pages of this book.
He’s shown when God speaks to the serpent while casting down the curse in Genesis.
And I will put enmity between you and the woman and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.” Genesis 3:15
God makes clothes to cover Adam and Eve when they recognize their nakedness. It’s the first animal sacrifice and it’s to cover them because of their sin of disobedience.
The LORD God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them. Genesis 3:21
Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross later is the ultimate covering for each of us. There are so many incredible ways to see Jesus in the book of Genesis. God already had His plan for us set in motion.
2. Job
If you’ve been a Christian for any length of time, you’ve probably had to deal with the devil. This is the book to study if you ponder such things.
One day the angels came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came with them. The LORD said to Satan, “Where have you come from?”
Satan answered the LORD, “From roaming throughout the earth, going back and forth on it.”
Then the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.” Job 1:6-8
Just reading Job is eye-opening. We get a glimpse of what God will allow in our lives. If we read carefully, we see God didn’t make bad things happen to Job but He did allow them. The same is true with us.
We clearly see Satan’s desire to cause us as much grief as possible in our lives. He wants to find ways to turn us against God.
The first time I read this book, I read the entire thing in one sitting. Talk about a good read. But how much more will we find if we take the time to study it?
3. Daniel
I love this book.
We remember Daniel most because of the story found here about Daniel and the lion’s den. We know him for his bravery, obedience, and trust in God.
But if we study this book a bit, we learn so much more. The dreams, visions, and prophecies are intriguing.
It’s amazing how God worked through him and gave him not only the meaning of the King’s dream but showed Daniel the actual dream, too. His life and the lives of others depended on it.
Only God could have shown him the dream of another person. Incredible.
The king said to Daniel, “Surely your God is the God of gods and the Lord of kings and a revealer of mysteries, for you were able to reveal this mystery.” Daniel 2:47
4. John
The Gospel of John brings everything together and ties it up neatly with a bow. Like any well-written book, the first sentence is captivating.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:1
Jesus revealed from the very beginning.
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14
When I fell in love with Jesus, I soaked up the New Testament. I couldn’t get enough of the Gospels because they told the story of Jesus. They are beautiful. Well worth taking the time to study.
5. Revelation
Studying the book of Revelation is on my list for this year. I’ve read it but have not done an actual study. It’s interesting yet also intimidating with so much symbolism.
After managing to get through 2020, many are turning to the Bible for guidance for end times. Most of us have never quite experienced such upheaval in our lives like we did last year. Now, we understand a little better what the end time may be like.
We’re much better off knowing exactly what the symbolism in Revelation means and how it will all play out.
Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near. Revelation 1:3
Sometimes, we just need a few words of peace and comfort from the Bible. If you’re seeking comfort then head to the book of Psalms.
At times, I camp out there. Especially, if I’m struggling through a difficult time in life where nothing is going right.
Whether we’re hurt, distressed, or at a loss with life in general, the beautiful words in Psalms ground us. We’re reminded God is faithful and we know everything will be alright.
As for God, his way is perfect: The Lord’s word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him. Psalm 19:3
Related Resource: Check out our FREE young adult podcast Big Pond, Little Fish! Host Alyssa Roat joins other young professionals in a podcast exploring life, career, family, friends, and calling from the perspective of a young Christian fish trying to make a splash in the world’s big pond. All episodes are at LifeAudio.com. Check out episode one here:
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Melinda Eye Cooper grew up in the Missouri Ozarks but lives near Nashville, Tennessee with her family. She writes articles and devotions and has some fiction projects in the works. Melinda grew up in a large family and is number seven of ten children. Many of her devotions and stories are inspired from her childhood.
Melinda has been honored to be a Selah Awards finalist for online articles and was a finalist for the 2023 Writer of the Year Award with Serious Writer as well as a 2024 Semi-finalist for the ACFW Genesis Contest.
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Her book of articles and devotions is available here.