New Believer's New Testament NLT (Softcover)

I don't have answers to your concluding questions because Christians are also people and people tend to differ in opinions. I've never met anyone who claims that Christianity is a "white" religion. Those are things that are better researched after you're more familiar with Christian beliefs in themselves. First, you'll want to understand what Jesus is all about. You'll want to get a study Bible. There's a lot of translations which can feel overwhelming at first but it's actually nice because you'll find your favorites after some experience reading. These are the most popular ones: NIV - easy to understand --> The Quest Study Bible is an excellent NIV Bible that has answers to common questions on every page. NLT - easier grammatically to understand ESV - a bit harder vocabulary sometimes but more "poetic" and very literal KJV - one of the oldest versions and difficult to understand, uses archaic language NKJV - a more modern KJV and pretty easy to understand but not as much as a NIV or NLT. Stay away from Bibles called "Passion Translation" or "The Message" as these are not scripture, they are someone else's rewrite of the scriptures. Better to check those out after you know the real Bible and can discern truth for yourself. I highly recommend starting with an NLT or the Quest NIV if you have a lot of questions. Also, Bible Hub is a useful app that can show you each verse in every translation so you can see the differences in writing. Now, after you obtain a Bible, I don't recommend starting with the Old Testament. It's definitely useful knowledge and it does reveal a lot about God, but you'll understand it better later. Start with the New Testament. Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John are collectively called "The Gospels". Matthew and John were two out of twelve of Jesus' first followers, called disciples, and these two books are their personal accounts of Jesus ministry, teachings, and life. I would start with these ones. The book of Mark is technically written anonymously but retells many of the things that happen in Matthew and John as a 3rd witness account and has a heavier emphasis on people who were not Jewish at that time (referred to as Gentiles. Assuming you are not Jewish, you would also be a Gentile). After Jesus was killed and then rose from the dead, another apostle (i.e. disciple) was brought in named Paul. Luke was a doctor and one of Paul's travel companions. Luke wrote another retelling of the Gospels in an effort to reach out to someone named "Theophilus". It's not important right now for you to know who that is. What's important is to pay attention to: Understanding the way Jesus wants us to live, which at the core is to "love your neighbor". (Hint: your neighbor is everyone.) The steps you must take to live with Jesus in your heart and invite God to guide your life. Trust me. It's the best. How to pray, and pray frequently. Finding a community that pursues the way of life as expected from Jesus's example. Understanding that God has three components to Him. While we are body and soul, God is God the Father, Jesus the son of God, and the Holy Spirit - all God, just different aspects of God. The book of Acts is a direct sequel to the book of Luke, written by him also, and describes how the first church was built as well as what people did after Jesus went to Heaven. After the Gospels, most of the books are letters written by the apostle Paul to various churches and communities describing how to live as a Christian. I would recommend reading Romans and 1 Corinthians first and then you can read in order or however you feel directed. So: Start -> Matthew, John, Mark, Luke, Acts, Romans, 1 Corinthians. Recommended to have a highlighter or pen with you in case you want to highlight certain verses as you read. When you're feeling more knowledgeable, next I'd recommend studying in particular which prophesies Jesus fulfilled from the Old Testament. These really cement his claims as he fulfilled hundreds of prophesies that were thousands of years old. It's truly an amazing and fascinating study. A lot of the next part is going to be God guiding you. You'll find that you'll feel Him in your life. Recommended websites: Biblehub.com (every translation available to read but the real Book is always better to have), GotQuestions.org (massive Christian FAQ archive) On Amazon Prime, there's a movie called, "The Gospel of John" that is a word-for-word script from the real Book of John. I loved that movie as a kid and I rewatch now and then. Would not recommend watching "The Chosen," at least until you know the true accounts of Jesus' life. It's enjoyable but takes freedoms in rewriting/adding to scripture and has some made up characters not in the Bible. "Bible Animations" on YouTube is a good visual source if you need some help understanding things. "Impact Ministries" on YouTube also does animated videos on how to live as a Christian. Just remember that truth is in the real Book, and visuals are supplements and not replacements. Bible Animations Impact Video Ministries Bible Hub GotQuestions (Creators of the Quest study Bible) LakePoint Church (Great church services to get you used to listening) Wes Huff, a Bible scholar genius who helps with understanding even deeper. NLT New Testament Only Beginners Bible NLT Study Bible (Full Bible)

First, you should talk to Jesus. Even if it feels silly. Just talk out loud like you're talking to an old friend. Ask him to be part of your life, to direct your path, and to transform your heart. It's important to note that not all who call themselves Christians actually act like they are supposed to -- and Jesus addressed this frequently. Next, you'll want to understand what Jesus is all about. You'll want to get a study Bible. There's a lot of translations which can feel overwhelming at first but it's actually nice because you'll find your favorites after some experience reading. These are the most popular ones: NIV - easy to understand --> The Quest Study Bible is an excellent NIV Bible that has answers to common questions on every page. NLT - easier grammatically to understand ESV - a bit harder vocabulary sometimes but more "poetic" and very literal KJV - one of the oldest versions and difficult to understand, uses archaic language NKJV - a more modern KJV and pretty easy to understand but not as much as a NIV or NLT. Stay away from Bibles called "Passion Translation" or "The Message" as these are not scripture, they are someone else's rewrite of the scriptures. Better to check those out after you know the real Bible and can discern truth for yourself. I highly recommend starting with an NLT or the Quest NIV if you have a lot of questions. Also, Bible Hub is a useful app that can show you each verse in every translation so you can see the differences in writing. Now, after you obtain a Bible, I don't recommend starting with the Old Testament. It's definitely useful knowledge and it does reveal a lot about God, but you'll understand it better later. Start with the New Testament. Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John are collectively called "The Gospels". Matthew and John were two out of twelve of Jesus' first followers, called disciples, and these two books are their personal accounts of Jesus ministry, teachings, and life. I would start with these ones. The book of Mark is technically written anonymously but retells many of the things that happen in Matthew and John as a 3rd witness account and has a heavier emphasis on people who were not Jewish at that time (referred to as Gentiles. Assuming you are not Jewish, you would also be a Gentile). After Jesus was killed and then rose from the dead, another apostle (i.e. disciple) was brought in named Paul. Luke was a doctor and one of Paul's travel companions. Luke wrote another retelling of the Gospels in an effort to reach out to someone named "Theophilus". It's not important right now for you to know who that is. What's important is to pay attention to: Understanding the way Jesus wants us to live, which at the core is to "love your neighbor". (Hint: your neighbor is everyone.) The steps you must take to live with Jesus in your heart and invite God to guide your life. Trust me. It's the best. How to pray, and pray frequently. Finding a community that pursues the way of life as expected from Jesus's example. Understanding that God has three components to Him. While we are body and soul, God is God the Father, Jesus the son of God, and the Holy Spirit - all God, just different aspects of God. The book of Acts is a direct sequel to the book of Luke, written by him also, and describes how the first church was built as well as what people did after Jesus went to Heaven. After the Gospels, most of the books are letters written by the apostle Paul to various churches and communities describing how to live as a Christian. I would recommend reading Romans and 1 Corinthians first and then you can read in order or however you feel directed. So: Start -> Matthew, John, Mark, Luke, Acts, Romans, 1 Corinthians. Recommended to have a highlighter or pen with you in case you want to highlight certain verses as you read. When you're feeling more knowledgeable, next I'd recommend studying in particular which prophesies Jesus fulfilled from the Old Testament. These really cement his claims as he fulfilled hundreds of prophesies that were thousands of years old. It's truly an amazing and fascinating study. A lot of the next part is going to be God guiding you. You'll find that you'll feel Him in your life. Recommended websites: Biblehub.com (every translation available to read but the real Book is always better to have), GotQuestions.org (massive Christian FAQ archive) On Amazon Prime, there's a movie called, "The Gospel of John" that is a word-for-word script from the real Book of John. I loved that movie as a kid and I rewatch now and then. Would not recommend watching "The Chosen," at least until you know the true accounts of Jesus' life. It's enjoyable but takes freedoms in rewriting/adding to scripture and has some made up characters not in the Bible. "Bible Animations" on YouTube is a good visual source if you need some help understanding things. "Impact Ministries" on YouTube also does animated videos on how to live as a Christian. Just remember that truth is in the real Book, and visuals are supplements and not replacements. Bible Animations Impact Video Ministries Bible Hub GotQuestions (Creators of the Quest study Bible) LakePoint Church (Great church services to get you used to listening) Wes Huff, a Bible scholar genius who helps with understanding even deeper. NLT New Testament Only Beginners Bible NLT Study Bible (Full Bible)