St John's

St John the Evangelist

Farsley

Help with reading the Bible

Suggestions for your daily quiet time

  1. Start with a short prayer.
  2. Read a passage from the Bible. Half a chapter is often suitable. Read it slowly a couple of times.
  3. You may use one of these two methods for studying the passage.
    1. The 4P Method
      • What is the main point?
      • Are there any parallel texts about the same themes? Use cross references in the Bible.
      • What is the message to me personally?
      • Are there any problems in the passage, anything I should investigate further?
    2. 5 Facts & Observations
      3. Read the text carefully and try to find 5 significant facts/truth/observations. Write them down. Decide which is the most important verse or expression in the passage. Reflect on the following question - What is the significance of these verses for my life today?
  4. Finish with further prayer.
    1. Adoration and praise.
    2. Confession and sins.
    3. Thanksgiving.
    4. Prayer: • for myself • for others

Below are selected texts in certain areas to help you access the Bible further. If you click on the verses, then it will take you to that part of the Bible on the website The Bible Gateway.

Bible passages

Selected prayers | Share the Gospel | Good reasons for sharing the Bible with others | The Psalms | What happened on the cross? | Great verses to memorise | Who is Jesus? | What is God like? | Promises for life and death | Prophecies about Jesus | '...with all your heart' | Where do I find...? | The Gospel to all nations | God's word | On Dark Days | Money | Important chapters

Selected prayers in the Bible
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Share the Gospel

Read the Bible verses and questions together with a friend who hasn't yet understood the gospel and received Jesus as Saviour and Lord. Talk together about the answers.

Romans 3:23 Who has sinned?
Isaiah 59:2 What sin done in your life?
Hebrews 9:27 What will happen when you die?
Ephesians 2:8-9 What will not help you to be saved?
Romans 5:8 What has Christ done for us?
John 1:12 What must we do to become part of God's family?
Revelation 3:20 Where is Jesus now?
What is he doing?
What must you do?
Will you do it?
John 5:24 What happens when you hear and believe?
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Good reasons for sharing the gospel with others

God commands it:
Mat 28:18-20 • Acts 1:8

Jesus is the only way to God:
John 14:6 • Acts 4:12

Hell/perdition is a reality:
Mat 7:13 • 2 Thess 1:8-9

People's deepest need is to be reconciled to God:
2 Cor 5:18-20 • Col 1

We cannot keep silent about what we have experienced:
Acts 4:20 • 2 Cor 5:14-15

God rejoices and is honoured when someone is saved:
Luke 15:7, 10,

Jesus is coming soon:
James 5:8 • Rev 22:7, 20
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The Psalms

Psalms of praise Psalm 29 • 33 • 65 • 66 • 89 • 95
• 100 • 103 • 111 • 113 • 117 • 135
• 136 • 144 • 150
Psalms of creation Psalm 8 • 19 • 104 • 139 • 148
Psalms of trust Psalm 5 • 16 • 17 • 23 • 25 • 26
• 27 • 40 • 41 • 62 • 63 • 67
• 71 • 75 • 85 • 91 • 108 • 118
• 121
Psalms of thanksgiving
Collective • Psalm 68 • 107 • 124 • 126
Individual • Psalm 9 • 18 • 30 • 31 • 34 • 92
• 116 • 138
Psalms of distress and prayer for deliverance
Collective • 44 • 60 • 74 • 79 • 80 • 83 • 89
Individual • 3 • 4 • 7 • 10 • 11 • 12
• 13 • 14 • 22 • 28 • 31 • 35
• 36 • 39 • 42 • 43 • 54 • 55
• 56 • 57 • 59 • 61 • 64 • 69
• 70 • 77 • 86 • 88 • 94 • 102
• 109 • 140 • 141 • 142
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What happened on the cross?

The Bible uses different words and illustrations to explain what happened at Jesus' death and resurrection. Here are some of the most important:
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Great verses to memorise

The Gospel
Rom 3:23 All have sinned
Rom 6:23 Penalty for sin
1 Pet 3:18 Once for all
Eph 2:8-9 Saved by grace
Rev 3:20 Receive Jesus
John 5:24 Assurance

Life with Jesus
2 Cor 5:17 New life
Gal 2:20 Christ in me
John 14:21 Obedience
Heb 4:12 The Word
Phil 4:6 Prayer
Heb 10:24 Fellowship
1 Pet 3:15 Prepared

God's gifts
1 Cor 2:12 God's Spirit
Isa 41:10 God's power
John 14:27 God's peace
1 Pet 5:7 God's care
Lam 3:22 His faithfulness
1 Cor 10:13 A way out

Discipleship
Mat 6:23 New priorities
Rom 12:2 Counter-culture
1 Cor 10:31 For God's glory
2 Cor 9:6-7 Cheerful giving
Micah 6:8 Requirements
Mat 20:26-28 Servant heart
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Who is Jesus?

Lamb of God John 1:29 Alpha and Omega Rev 22:13
Prince of Peace Isa 9:6 The Life John 14:6
Author of life Acts 3:15 Light of the world John 8:12
The Way John 14:6 Bread of Life John 6:35
The Image of God 2 Cor 4:4 The Truth John 14:6
The Word John 1:1, 14 Word of Life 1 John 1:1
Rock 1 Cor 10:4 Lion of Judah Rev 5:5
Lord of Glory 1 Cor 2:8 The Living One Rev 1:18
Mighty God Isa 9:6 Mediator 1 Tim 2:5
The Holy One Acts 3:14 True God 1 John 5:20
The Righteous One Acts 3:14 King of Israel John 1:49
Deliverer Rom 11:26 Lord and Saviour 2 Pet 2:20
Son of the Most High Luke 1:32 The Cornerstone Eph 2:20
Our Life Col 3:4 Wonderful Counsellor Isa 9:6
Redeemer Job 19:25 Author and Perfector of our faith Heb 12:2
The Good Shepherd John 10:11
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What is God like?

Creator Gen 1 • Psa 33 • Col 1:15-17
The only God Isa 43:10-13 • Isa 44:6-8 • 1 Cor 8:4-6 •
Jude 1:25
Faithful Ex 34:6 • Deut 7:9 & 32:4 • 2 Thes 3:3 •
2 Tim 2:11
Full of love Psa 86:5, 15 • 103 • Mic 7:18 • 1 John 4:7-21
Our Father Mat 6:6 • Mat 7:11 • Gal 4:6 • Isa 63:16
Holy Psa 99 • Isa 6:1-5 • 1 Pet 1:15 • Rev 15:3
Eternal Deut 33:27 • Psa 90 • Jer 10:10 • 1 Tim 1:17 •
2 Pet 3:8
Righteous Psa 9:8 • 11:7 • 33:4 • John 17:25 • 2 Tim 4:8
Almighty 1 Chron 29:10-13 • Jer 32:17 • Mat 28:18 •
Rev 1:8
Visible in Jesus John 14:8-11 • Col 1:15-20 • Heb 1:1-3 •
Isa 9:2-6
Full of care Psa 23 • Mat 6:25-34 • 10:28-31 • 1 Pet 5:7
Judge of all Isa 33:22 • Mat 25:31-46 • Acts 17:31 •
James 4:12
Friend of sinners Luke 15:10, 21-24 • 19:10 • Mat 9:9-13 •
1 Tim 1:15
Beyond comparison Psa 139:1-18 • Isa 55:8-11 • Rom 11:33-36
Triune Mat 3:16-17 • 28:19 • John 10:30 • Rom 8:9 •
1 Cor 12:4-6 • 2 Cor 13:14 • 1 Pet 1:2 •
Gen 1:26
Unchangeable Heb 1:10-12
Full of grace Eph 2:4-10
Near the lowly Isa 57:15
Performs miracles Psa 77:14
Lord of peace 2 Thess 3:16
A consuming fire Heb 12:28
God of all comfort 2 Cor 1:3-5
Immortal and invisible 1 Tim 6:15
Near the lowly Isa 57:15
God of history Dan 2:20-22
Performs miracles Psa 77:14
Forgives Micah 7:18
Lord of peace 2 Thess 3:16
Hates evil Isa 61:8
A consuming fire Heb 12:28-29
Recieves our complaints Psa 13
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Promises for life and death

Deut 31:8
2 Chron 7:14
Psa 9:10 • 16:11 • 34:18 • 55:22 • 103:11 • 121 • 145:18
Isa 41:10 • 45:3 • 49:15 • 57:15
Jer 17:7 • 29:11-13
Lam 3:21-26
Ezek 34:15-18 • 36:26
Zeph 3:17
Mat 7:7 • 10:28-31 • 11:28-30 • 18:19-20
Mark 10:29-30
Luke 1:37
John 5:24 • 6:35, 40 • 8:12, 31 • 10:27-28 • 11:25-26 • 14:27
Rom 8:15-17 • 8:28, 35-39 • 14:8
1 Cor 10:13
2 Cor 9:8
Heb 7:25 • 13:5
Rev 21:1-6
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Prophecies about Jesus

Prophecy Fulfilment
Born in Bethlehem Micah 5:2 Matt 2:1-6 • Luke 2:4
Mighty and everlasting Isaiah 9:6-7 Luke 1:31-33
Born of a virgin Isaiah 7:14 Matthew 1:18-23
From the tribe of Judah Genesis 49:10 Revelation 5:5
Herod's child murders Jeremiah 31:15 Matthew 2:16-18
Escape to Egypt Hosea 11:1 Matthew 2:15
Cleansing of the temple Psalm 69:9 John 2:13-17
Entry into Jerusalem Zechariah 9:9 Matthew 21:1-11
Thirty silver coins Zechariah 11:12-13 Matthew 26:15 • 27:3-10
Silent before accusers Isaiah 53:7 Matthew 26:62 27:12-14
Praying before enemies Isaiah 53:12 Luke 23:34
Casting lots for clothing Psalm 22:18 Matthew 27:35
In a rich man's tomb Isaiah 53:9 Matthew 27:57-60
Suffered and died for our sins Isaiah 53:4-12 Matt 8:17 • Rom 4:25
1 Cor 15:3 • 2 Cor 5:21
1 Peter 2:22-24, 3:18

Other prophecies (see cross-references in the Bible for each verse)
Deuteronomy 18:15, 18 • Isaiah 11:1-5 • 42:1-4 • 50:6 • 61:1 •
Jeremiah 23:5 • Zechariah 12:10 • Daniel 7:13
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'... with all your heart'

Love ... Matt 22:37 • Deut 6:5
Seek ... Jer 29:13 • Ps 119:2
Serve ... Rom 1:9 • Joshua 22:5
Praise ... Psalm 9:1 • 86:12
Obey ... Psalm 119:34
Trust ... Proverbs 3:5
Rejoice ... Zephaniah 3:14
Return ... Joel 2:12 • Jer 24:7
Call on God Psalm 119:145
Be true to the Lord ... Acts 11:23
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Where do I find ... ?

The Ten Commandments Exodus 20:1-7
The Priestly Blessing Numbers 6:24-26
'The Lord is my Shepherd' Psalm 23
The Psalm of repentance Psalm 51
The Suffering Servant Isaiah 53
The Sermon on the Mount Matt 5-7
The Beatitudes Matt 5:1-12
Our Lord's Prayer Matt 6:9-13
The Golden Rule Matt 7:12
The Great Commission Matt 28:18-20
The Greatest Commandment Mark 12:29-31
The Good Samaritan Luke 10:25-37
The Lost (Prodigal) Son Luke 15:11-32
The Bible in a nutshell John 3:16
Jesus is the Good Shepherd John 10:1-16
Spiritual Gifts 1 Cor 12-14
The Song of Love 1 Cor 13
The Resurrection Chapter 1 Cor 15
The Fruit of the Spirit Gal 5:22-23
The full armour of God Eph 6:10-18
Heroes of Faith Heb 11
A new heaven and a new earth Rev 21:1-8
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God's most exciting project:

The Gospel to all nations

Matthew 24:14 • 28:18
Mark 16:15
Luke 24:46
Romans 10:12-15
Acts 1:8 • 13:47 • 26:16-18
Psalms 67 • 96
Romans 15:8-13
Rev 7:9-10
1 Chron 16:23-31
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God's Word

Living and sharp Heb 4:12-13
Jesus and scripture John 5:39-47
Inspiration & purpose 2 Tim 3:14-17
Eye witnesses Luke 1:1 • 1 John 1:1-4
The Word is truth John 17:17-19
Do what it says James 1:22-25
Gives joy to the heart Psa 19:7-11
The Spirit's role 1 Cor 2:9-14
Invented stories? 2 Pet 1:16-21
The Word became flesh John 1:1-5, 14
Passion for the Word Psalm 119
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On Dark Days

Nobody cares Psalm 142
How long, O Lord? Psalm 13
Hear my cry, O Lord! Psalm 102
Sometimes I'd like to die... Job 3
... but there is hope. Lam 3:21-26
You know me, Lord Psalm 139
Where is help available? Psalm 121
Losing heart 2 Cor 4:7-5:10
Strength of the weak Isa 40:25-31
Against all odds Rom 8:31-39
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Money

New perspective 1 Tim 6:6-10, 17
Whom do I serve? Mat 6:19-24
Joy of giving 2 Cor 9:6-9
Neither ... nor ... Prov 30:8-9
Do not forget! Deut 8:11-20
Equality 2 Cor 8:13-15
Never enough? Eccl 5:9-14
Content and confident Heb 13:5-6
'I am rich' Rev 3:17-20
Wise stewardship Luke 16:9-13
Sex and greed Eph 5:5-6
Honour the Lord Prov 3:9-10
Being a fool Luke 12:13-21
Tithing Malachi 3:8-10
Luke 11:42
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Important chapters from every book of the Bible

Old Testament

The Law and early history
Genesis 1-3 • 12 • 37
Exodus 3-4 • 12 • 20
Leviticus 19
Numbers 11
Deuteronomy 4 • 6 • 8 • 30
History
Joshua 1 • 24
Judges 6-7
Ruth 1
1 Samuel 13 • 16 • 24
2 Samuel 7 • 11-12
1 Kings 8 • 12 • 18
2 Kings 5-6 • 17 • 25
1 Chron 29
2 Chron 20
Ezra 9
Nehemiah 1-2
Esther 3
Wisdom
Job 1 • 19 • 42
Psalms 1 • 19 • 23 • 40 • 51 • 103 • 139 • 145
Proverbs 3 • 11 • 28
Ecclesiastes 3 • 12
Song of Solomon 2
Prophecy
Isaiah 6 • 43 • 53 • 55 • 58 • 61
Jeremiah 1 • 7 • 17 • 31
Lamentations 3
Ezekial 2-3 • 34 • 36 • 37
Daniel 1 • 6 • 9
Hosea 6
Joel 3
Amos 5
Obadiah
Jonah 2
Micah 6
Nahum 1
Habbakuk 1:12-2:4
Zephaniah 1:14-2:3
Haggai 1
Zecheriah 2
Malachi 3

New Testament

The life and teaching of Jesus
Matthew 6 • 10 • 16 • 24 • 28
Mark 1 • 14
Luke 2 • 6 • 12 • 23
John 1 • 3 • 10 • 14-15
The first Christians
Acts 1 • 2 • 9 • 17 • 26
Paul's letters
Romans 1 • 3 • 8 • 12
1 Corinthians 1 • 13 • 15
2 Corinthians 1 • 4 • 5
Galatians 5
Ephesians 2
Philippians 3
Colossians 1
1 Thessalonians 5
2 Thessalonians 3
1 Timothy 1
2 Timothy 3
Titus 3
Philemon
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