What is The Beginner’s Bible Study Guide about?
It’s a beginner-friendly guide that introduces the main ideas in all 66 books of the Protestant Bible. Each chapter helps you understand what a Bible book is about and what themes to look for as you read.
Is The Beginner’s Bible Study Guide a Bible, or do I need a separate Bible?
It’s not a substitute for the Bible, so you’ll want a Bible alongside it. The guide is designed to support your reading by explaining context, themes, and reflection questions for each book.
Who wrote The Beginner’s Bible Study Guide?
The guide is written by Rev. Cameron Trimble. She is an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ and has served as a pastor of four congregations.
What’s included in each chapter of this Bible study guide?
Each chapter includes a synopsis, key themes, and reflection (study) questions for that Bible book. Many chapters also highlight key verses to anchor your reading.
Does this guide cover all 66 books of the Bible?
Yes, it covers all 66 books of the Protestant Bible from Genesis through Revelation. The table of contents lists a chapter for each book.
Does this guide include the Apocrypha or deuterocanonical books?
No, it focuses on the 66 books of the Protestant Bible and does not include the deuterocanonical books. The book notes that readers from Catholic or Greek Orthodox backgrounds may notice some books missing.
What Bible translation is The Beginner’s Bible Study Guide based on?
It’s based on the New International Version (NIV). The guide also encourages you to use another translation if you prefer, such as NRSV, NLT, or ESV.
Can I use this guide if I’m reading a different Bible translation than NIV?
Yes, you can use any translation you find most comfortable or inspiring. The guide explains that the NIV is the base reference, but it’s meant to work alongside other common translations too.
How do you use The Beginner’s Bible Study Guide—do you read it straight through?
You can use it in different ways, but the guide recommends starting with Genesis and reading through Revelation for a loose historical flow. You read the Bible itself and use the guide as a companion for each book.
Is this Bible study guide meant for individual study or group study?
It’s designed for both individual and group use. The book includes a Group Discussion Guide in the back to help structure conversations.
What is the Group Discussion Guide, and how does it work?
It’s a set of prompts you can use to talk through each Bible book reading with a group. Questions include what stood out, what was confusing or challenging, and what the reading suggests about God’s character and daily life.
What materials do I need to use this Bible study guide?
You’ll need the guide and a Bible translation of your choice. The book also suggests a journal for writing responses and a highlighter for marking passages you want to revisit.
Is The Beginner’s Bible Study Guide a workbook with space to write in?
It includes reflection questions, but it doesn’t present itself as a write-in workbook. The guide recommends using a separate journal to record your answers.
Will this guide help if I feel overwhelmed or confused when reading the Bible?
Yes, it’s written with the expectation that Bible reading can feel exciting and overwhelming. It encourages you not to get discouraged and uses summaries, themes, and questions to make the text more accessible over time.
If I want to understand what each Bible book is “about” before I read it, will this guide help?
Yes, each chapter gives a synopsis and key themes so you can grasp the context and main message before or while you read. It’s meant to help you understand the “essence” of each book.
Does The Beginner’s Bible Study Guide include the New Testament as well as the Old Testament?
Yes, it covers both the Old Testament and the New Testament. The chapters run from Genesis through Revelation.
