My Year Reading Through the Bible – Part 2
In my last post, I told you about my fulfilling year of reading through the Bible and why I finally succeeded. You can read Part 1 here.
Today, I share the nuts and bolts of what worked for me.
What Worked for Me: The A, B, C’s
A. Find a plan
Many methods and suggestions for reading through the Bible exist. A mentor suggested reading it chronologically—the order in which events happened—the first time through. I found this plan on biblestudytools.com and printed a copy of the daily readings.
I used both my Bible and the YouVersion Bible app on my phone. YouVersion offers an audio translation of the Bible in several versions. I chose NIV to match my Bible. When time allowed, I listened to the app while reading along in my print Bible. Using both eyes and ears enhanced comprehension and helped me focus. And I could highlight verses in my Bible I found meaningful. These were the ideal mornings.
Life is going to interrupt our best laid plans. One morning during week one, I had the pleasure of taking my grandchildren to school. On such days, and there were others, I listened to the readings via my app while driving or walking.
Additional Insight: When starting a new book of the Bible, read the introduction. The intro tells us about the author, the timeline, and puts the events in context.
B. establish the habit.
Luckily, I already set aside morning quiet time for prayer and journaling, so I simply added my reading plan there. When the minutes are limited, I journal less or not at all.
I use a bullet journal to establish daily habits, such as taking vitamins, exercising, drinking water, etc., so I listed Bible reading to my habit tracker.
After years of childrearing and teaching school, I understand daily quiet time is a luxury. Finding a spare hour, or even a half-hour, might be impossible right now. However, the readings take only about ten to twelve minutes, and you can listen to an audio version while unloading dishes, walking, or applying makeup. Feel free to increase the speed if the audio seems draggy, as I did. It’s important to create the habit.
Additional Insight: Go easy on yourself. Most mornings, but not all, I awoke eager for the next installment of whatever book I was in. I brewed my first cup of coffee and began, eager or not. I missed a few scattered mornings altogether due to unusual events, but I easily caught up later in the day. Or the one after. It’s okay when this happens. Don’t quit.
C. Keep the Main Thing the Main thing.
A challenge for me was to resist the urge to take copious notes as I read. This comes from years in academia writing research papers and learning about exciting topics like composition theory.
I fought the desire to tape timelines to my walls and create genealogy trees to learn everything I could.
Additional Insight ~ View the first time through as a fly-over. Reading through the Bible the first time is a big picture approach. You’re not going to understand everything with one reading, nor should you try. Accept you might end up with more questions than answers.
Other Bible Reading Plans
Reading through the Bible in a year is ambitious. If you prefer a slower pace, check these out:
Two-Year Reading Plan: This busy life plan takes you through the Bible in a little under two years.
Three-Year Reading Plan: With this plan, you’ll cover about a chapter a day. I may have had more success with this plan when I was younger.
Thematic Approach: This thematic plan sounds interesting.
Final Thoughts
Reading the Bible nurtures and sustains our relationship with God. One of the most important things I learned is the more time we spend with God, the more time God spends with us.
I started my second year of reading through the Bible in February and just completed Day 40. This year’s plan, found within my YouVersion app, leads me through 2-3 chapters in the Old Testament, a partial chapter from the New Testament, and a few verses from either Psalms or Proverbs daily.
I like the variety.
If you haven’t read through the Bible, I encourage you to give it a try. I had many starts and stops before I accomplished it. I’d love to hear about your experiences and which plan you like via email or in the comments. I’ll need another one in about 325 days.
If you have questions about the resources or process mentioned, don’t hesitate to email.
Reading the Bible nurtures and sustains our relationship with God. One of the most important things I learned is the more time we spend with God, the more time God spends with us. #Bible #faith Share on XHoping signs of spring surround you!
I moved into a different house last fall, so this is the first spring I’ve lived here. Bunches and bunches of these little guys are popping up on an embankment in front of my home. I think they’re day lilies of some sort. Can’t wait to find out!
Thank you for the links to the different plans. Although I’ve read through the Bible in years past, I’ve not read it chronologically. Sounds like a great thing to do.
I feel that excitement too for my quiet time. This is my third or fourth time through tans this time it is coming alive more than ever. Love your suggestions.
Thanks, Jen.
Great tips! Thanks for pointing us in the right direction.
Thanks to God for his Word that points us in the right direction!
Great tips here, Candyce. I, too, have to sometimes resist the urge to go deep with everything I read. I will pass along this encouraging article to others. P.S., I think you have yellow day lilies about to bloom. They’re so cheerful!
Thank you for identifying those for me, Annie. This novice gardener is eager to figure out just what plants I have out there.
Thanks for your kind comments, too.
Candyce,
Your first suggestion, “When starting a new book of the Bible, read the introduction. The intro tells us about the author, the timeline, and puts the events in context,” is one I’ve used myself and makes such a difference in my understanding of the book. Thanks for bringing it to light!
Thanks, Sylvia, for that reinforcement. When I taught FYC, my students rarely read the introductions to their assigned readings. It was hard to convince them it was worth the time.
I always love it when someone provides practical advice and tips. It really helps solidify what’s being said and gives you a starting point should you decide to try it out. I’ve never thought of listening to an audio Bible for the purpose of reading it though and I’m not sure why I haven’t!
Thanks for this encouraging post.
Thanks Terri. I’m glad it was helpful.
I love this, I really am going to give this a try.
Thank you for sharing . Love you
Michelle
Great! And if you don’t make it — as I didn’t for so long — don’t despair. The Bible will always be ready for us when we’re ready for it.
Thanks for sharing that Michelle.
Candyce, Thanks so much for sharing these practical hints. I’ve done this several times and am always so blessed. Your suggestion of keeping an audio version close is SO helpful while driving or waiting for an appointment. I also appreciate the links. I haven’t started a plan this year, but you inspired me and I just might!
Thank you Barb. I can see why you might want to read through the Bible multiple times. I’m sure you learn something new each time!
I have approached the yearly reading plan before and always fell away. While I did read scripture I didnt stay wi5rh the plan. This year I am doing better and can already tell a difference in what I am learning. I like your ideas about listening while reading. I want to try that too. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for sharing that you’re learning more by sticking to a plan, Barbara. That helps validate my thinking on that topic. Let me know if you ever have other insights to share.
I loved your practical, candid approach to completing this goal. It isn’t always easy to protect our daily quiet time with God which can include our reading, prayer, meditation, etc., but you’ve given us achievable strategies to accomplish this. And as someone that admits to some of the same distractions (taking notes, getting sidetracked by research, etc), I appreciated “permission” to let that go and focus on reading. Thank you, Candyce. I really enjoyed these two insightful and helpful messages focused on reading through the Bible.
Thank you, Katherine. I appreciate your feedback.
Like developing any other skill or level of fitness, Bible reading requires both commitment and self-discipline. And like other types of “workouts”, Bible reading helps to build our “faith muscles”! Thanks for the encouraging words Ms. Candyce.
Thank you, J.D. That’s a good comparison. Spiritual workouts are as necessary as physical workouts.
Thank you J. D. That’s a great comparison. Spiritual workouts are as important as physical workouts and the rewards are greater.