One of the most useful discipleship techniques is one that is often overlooked: one-on-one Bible reading. It is simply sitting down with another person and walking through the text of Scripture together with them.
Reading the Bible one on one is a powerful activity for discipleship and should be part of the tools. It is often overlooked in favor of something different, flashier or more fashionable, but the reality is that the words of 2 Timothy 3:16-17 still hold true:
All Scripture is inspired by God and useful to teach, to rebuke, to correct, to instruct in justice, so that the man of God is perfect (apt), equipped for every good work.
There is nothing more important than the Scriptures, which hold promises to perfectly equip us for every good work. This is why one-on-one reading is so valuable.
While each book and verse of the Bible is inspired by God and relevant to each person, some books of the Bible have special value at certain times and for certain people. The list that follows recommends a dozen books of the Bible for people who don’t know the Lord, new believers, and mature believers.
Books to Read with Unbelievers
1. Frames — Mark is a good book to introduce us to Jesus. This short and punchy book forces its readers to answer the questions, “Who is Jesus?” and “What does it mean to follow him?”2
2. Ecclesiastes — This daring and relevant book amazes some unconverted with its excellent description of human nature.
3.John — The purpose of this gospel is to bring readers to faith in Jesus as the Christ and to receive life in His Name (John 20:31), and it is an ideal book to start with someone who does not know the Lord.
4. Genesis 1-12 — The first chapters of the Bible explain God’s creation and his purpose in it, why the world is like this, and the promise of blessing that would be fulfilled in Jesus Christ.
Books to read with new believers
5. Luke — Luke’s detailed and orderly account shares some of the best-known stories/parables from Scripture and focuses on the fulfillment of the Old Testament in Christ.
6. Colossians — How easy it is to forget the gospel for more “advanced” techniques and religions that promise a deeper relationship with God! Colossians reminds us that we are complete in Christ, but that we still have the call to grow in spiritual maturity.
7. 1 Peter — This handy little book explains the implications of salvation, a believer’s new identity, and encourages us to persevere in the midst of difficulty and suffering.
Bonus Book: Genesis — Helps us develop a Christian worldview and can answer questions that still plague new believers about creation, human nature, the essence of faith, election, etc.
Books to read with mature believers
8. Romans / Ephesians — Choose one of these two doctrinal epistles to expound the gospel in detail and share the practical implications of believing in Christ.
9. Deuteronomy — The fifth book of Moses provides a good summary of the first five books of the Old Testament. Introduce people to the riches of the Old Testament with this book that commands its readers to choose between life and death.
10. Psalms —guides God’s people in praising God as they journey through the various emotions and experiences of the Christian life.
11. Isaiah — This book is one of the most difficult on this list, but it is worth reading. Isaiah is the second most quoted Old Testament book by the apostles in the New Testament and gives its readers a comprehensive glimpse into the identity of Christ as a suffering servant and the great story of salvation in the Bible.
12. Micah — This minor prophet warns of judgment for sin and preaches the salvation of the Shepherd-King to the repentant.
What books have been helpful for you in one-on-one reading? Have you considered this tool?
Thanks to Marty Sweeney of Matthias Media and my colleagues at LRI (Scott Polender and Sean Martin) for their recommendations.
two paths after reading Mark: Acts or Romans. Acts continues the story of Christ that Mark begins and Romans explains the theology in the background of Mark and defines the gospel systematically.