"Let the word of Christ dwell richly in you." Colossians 3:16a
A simple Google search will reveal that the Bible contains sixty-six books that are divided between the Old Testament canon of Scripture and the New Testament canon. The sections of the Bible are arranged such that the Old Testament informs and prepares the reader of the need (by example) for a Savior and offers a prophetic guide-map that God will indeed make provision to save his people. The New Testament chronicles the birth of Jesus, who is the promised Savior, the gospel (or "Good News") of his coming kingdom, as well as how the arrival of the promised Savior births and informs the early Christian church.
From the pages of the Old Testament to the last chapter of Revelation, the Bible itself affirms that the words within are to be studied, valued, and treated with reverence as God's spoken word, written by the hand of man, through the indwelling and inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
As a woman seeking to grow in relationship with God, as well as lead other women in Christian discipleship and the process of gaining biblical wisdom, I strongly affirm the tenets taught by the apostle Paul, "All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." (2 Timothy 3:16)
When approached with the question, "Which books of the Bible do you think are best for women to study?" I have one simple reply, "All of them!"
Author and biblical teacher Jen Wilkin expresses the need to study Scripture well in this way, "The Bible is a book that boldly and clearly reveals who God is on every page." To know the God of the Bible, women must seek Him within the pages of the Bible. For some women, this may take the shape of joining a guided study of a specific book of the Bible or biblical concept, and for others, it may mean using a reading plan to go through the Bible in a year. I want to offer four approaches that you might consider when deciding which books of the Bible you should study next:
Read the Jesus Story: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John
Commonly known as the gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John provide an excellent beginning in the journey to understand the God within the pages of the Bible. For the woman who is just becoming acquainted with the Christian faith and for the woman who needs to be reminded of the character of the Savior in whom she places her faith, the gospels reveal the integrity, nature, and mission of Jesus, as well as God's plan for ushering in the kingdom of God through his own son; the gospels are the books in which to dwell. Pastors and theologians often recommend that a new Christian start in the book of John, as he focuses both on the love of God for humankind and gives a sense of God's plan for salvation that existed from the beginning of time.
For the woman looking to understand God's view of women, the book of Luke can be an excellent start, as he includes numerous accounts that show the love and compassion of Jesus toward the women of his day. It can also be valuable to read the gospels consecutively, looking specifically for who Jesus is, to understand his character and intent as he walked the earth. Just as his disciples grew in their understanding of the gospel, the coming kingdom of God, and the love and mission of Jesus by walking alongside him on a daily basis, so can the woman seeker gain understanding and grow in faith through proximity to the Gospels.
Read to Gain an Overarching Understanding of God's Story
The story written within the pages of the Bible is, first and foundationally, the story of God. The overarching message is that God brings the world and humankind into existence as an act of creativity and love, followed by humanity falling into a state of brokenness as they reject God's plan. The constant of his unchanging love serves as a backdrop as God brings redemption through Jesus, restoring creation and humanity to the glory of its original design.
When studying the Bible, readers often struggle with understanding how the pieces come together as a whole. Characters can be seen as either someone to emulate or a depiction of how not to live. When studying the Bible for an overarching understanding of God's story, a best practice is that the reader endeavor to look for God and facets of his character within the story, as well as how the Old Testament speaks prophetically into the New Testament.
Theologians Dale and Tamara Chamberlain recommend that women seeking to gain this overarching view of God's story focus their study in the Old Testament books of Genesis, Exodus, Joshua, 1-2 Samuel, 1-2 Kings, Proverbs, adding Luke, Acts, Romans, and Revelation in the New Testament. Aspiring theologians may choose to add study helps such as a study Bible with commentary, a Bible dictionary, and a concordance.
Read to Understand the Story of Women Throughout Scripture
Several years back I had the opportunity to enhance my understanding of how to serve women seeking to grow in their relationship with God, as well as those whose path in life has caused them to wrestle with the concepts of faith, and the reality of a loving God. The seminary program of study I enrolled in had a primary focus on teaching and ministering to women. For the women in growth and maturation mode, I learned my primary responsibility was to equip them for "works of service, so that the body of Christ might be built up" (Ephesians 4: 12). The women wrestling with faith concepts often need to be introduced to the kindness of the Creator God, who has made them in his image, and his Savior Son, who dignified women throughout his ministry on earth.
To understand the story of women within God's overarching plan, I suggest the book of Luke, which offers the beauty of seeing Jesus care for and value women in a society that classified them as lesser. I also encourage reading Genesis to understand that women are made in God's image and for the mercy and lovingkindness shown through Eve and the birth of Seth. The books of Esther and Ruth evidence women as an integral part of God's overarching salvific plan and reflect the embodiment of courage. The Gospel of Matthew is excellent for the simple joy of seeing broken women within the lineage of Christ and to affirm the love of Jesus found in Luke. These books are a taste of the glorious heritage of women in Scripture, and I would add to these the book of 2 Timothy to view the power of a believing mother, as well as Proverbs to meet the woman Wisdom.
Read to Give a Defense for Your Faith in Christ
When posed the question of what books of the Bible are best to read to enhance your faith and grow in your ability to "give and answer for the hope that is within you" (1 Peter 3:15), author and apologist Rachel Baker states, "If you're struggling to know where to start reading your Bible, pick up in the book of Acts. This account observes the transformation of a group of ragtag would-be radicals into one of the most powerful forces on earth,"
She further notes, "The power of the Holy Spirit, when poured out on Pentecost, brought Jesus' words, 'it is better that I go' into full display, and propelled the earliest believers to become the early church." For the modern-day woman of God who desires to fulfill the commission of Christ to go into the world and share Jesus with others, understanding and embracing the power of the Holy Spirit in the early church and today can have a strong influence on how she prays, acts in faith, and shares the gospel. Women seeking to share their faith will grow strong in their ability to speak to the elements of Scripture as they study the Bible in its entirety. They may choose to dive deep into a study of the gospels and Old Testament literature that prophetically announces the coming of a Messiah. They should also have a good understanding of God's view of man at creation through the reading of Genesis. Biblical scholars often agree that all books of the Bible lead to Romans. One author notes, "Romans is a book about God, taught by God."
Women who seek to study the Bible find 66 books waiting to engage them in the transformation of their hearts and mind. Jen Wilkin writes, "If we want to feel a deeper love for God, we must learn to see him more clearly for who he is. If we want to feel deeply about God, we must learn to think deeply about God." The study of the Bible helps us to think deeply about God.
Whatever path of study you undertake, begin with the simple request, "Holy Spirit, open my ears to hear, my mind to understand, and my heart to apply the truth of Scripture to my life. Lord, may I be transformed by the renewing of my mind, and may I know you more intimately as I study your word. In Jesus' beautiful name, Amen."
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Stacey Monaco has been speaking and writing since her first unpublished children’s book in the fifth grade. Her journey as a writer has taken her from the depths of blue water exploration, to the simplicity of crafting words to encourage and educate in the areas of loss, legacy, leadership, and living life passionately with purpose. Stacey received her Masters Degree in Christian Ministry and Leadership from Talbot School of Theology, and has worked in many roles from slinging coffee to pastoring women. To find more on living the Christian life with intention, head over to her website at StaceyMonaco.com.