Another thing I learned in 2011 is that you can read the entire Christian Bible in one year. I did it and it was more easy than I thought. (If you are looking for a Bible to read, this is the one I use and recommend.)
In February of 2011 I began taking a Spiritual Formation class at Fresno Pacific University where our professor, Jeff Harrington, Ph.D. shared with us that he reads through the entire Bible every single year. Dr. Harrington explained that if you start on January 1st in Genesis 1 and read four chapters a day (which only takes about 15 minutes) you will finish the entire Bible by October.
That sounded doable so I tried it!
In February of 2011 I began reading four chapters a day from my Bible every morning as part of my quiet time routine. By the second week of December I had completed reading the entire Bible in 2011. Yes, there were plenty of days that I did not get to read all four chapters, and there were some days where I did not even read one word of my Bible (but I hate those days). The important thing is that I kept reading day after day after day.
Reading the Bible straight through in a year is good for 4 reasons:
- It gives you a broad view of the Bible: Instead of just reading a few verses from select parts of the Bible, reading the Bible front to back in large chunks help you to have a context. It helps you understand the “big picture” of what is going on in the culture at that time and what God is trying to accomplish.
- It helps you see God’s whole story: The Bible is simply one big story God has given to us. From Genesis to Revelation it is a story of who God is, why He created us, what He has done for us, and what He plans to do in the future.
- It deepens your theology: Reading the entire Bible helps you see the Bible in its theological context. When reading from Genesis, then Psalms, then the New Testament you get to read about the same topics talked about by different people in different contexts. All of that adds to your theological understanding of the Bible.
- It speaks to you and what you are going through: Reading large chunks of God’s Word daily allows God to use the stories and teachings in his Word to speak to you directly. Sometimes He will have you read a story that is relevant to what you are going through, if there is a question you are wrestling with He will have you read something that answers it, or He might even given you direction on a decision you have been considering. When you spend time in God’s word you are spending time with Him which allows Him to lead and direct you.
Starting on January 1, 2012 I started reading the Bible all the way through again for this year. I started in Genesis 1 and will continue on through until reaching the end of Revelation.
Reading the Bible all the way through in a year has been very beneficial for me and I hope you give it a try in 2012.
Question: How much and often do you read your Bible? (If you don’t read a Bible, please share why.)
