Roy recalls that early in...
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Roy recalls that early in his Christian journey he was encouraged to read the Bible. He only read a few chapters in Genesis before losing interest. Later he started to read the Bible but again lost interest and stopped. Before long he realized that he was trying to understand everything he read, all the details, like he would a textbook. A friend from church suggested that he begin reading the New Testament. It would be easier to read, his friend assured him, and he would learn much about Jesus and his teachings.
"This approach helped me," Roy says. He read a chapter every day. He was struck with the humanness of Jesus. He was touched with the realization that Jesus faced temptations in his life like everyone else. He discovered that Jesus was able to resist temptations by quoting the word of God. That encouraged him to continue reading the Bible.
For the next year Roy diligently read the New Testament. In the process his faith was strengthened. "I still find it to be a rich and rewarding experience," Roy explains. "I can identify with the disciples who had wonderful learning experiences as Jesus explained his teachings."
Following Jesus' baptism he was "immediately" taken to the wilderness where he would be tempted. He emerged stronger and ready to begin his ministry. His first words recorded in Mark's gospel were, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news."
"This approach helped me," Roy says. He read a chapter every day. He was struck with the humanness of Jesus. He was touched with the realization that Jesus faced temptations in his life like everyone else. He discovered that Jesus was able to resist temptations by quoting the word of God. That encouraged him to continue reading the Bible.
For the next year Roy diligently read the New Testament. In the process his faith was strengthened. "I still find it to be a rich and rewarding experience," Roy explains. "I can identify with the disciples who had wonderful learning experiences as Jesus explained his teachings."
Following Jesus' baptism he was "immediately" taken to the wilderness where he would be tempted. He emerged stronger and ready to begin his ministry. His first words recorded in Mark's gospel were, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news."
