My Year Reading Through the Bible

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Just before Lent last year, four things motivated me to read through the Bible in one year—something never-before accomplished by this sixty-plus year-old Christian.

The four things

  1. A minister I follow suggested adding a practice to grow us spiritually during Lent, rather than give something up. The seed was planted.
  • “God did not intend for His Word to be difficult to understand or intimidating. He wants us to take time to study the Bible to find the gems hidden within,” says Stephanie Pavlantos, author of  Jewels of Hebrews — a Bible study I did. The study convinced me I needed more time in God’s Word. I wanted to dig my teeth into solid food, rather than rely on the milk of infants (Hebrews 5:11-14).
  • “Think of Bible reading as texting with God.” My pastor’s modern-day metaphor intrigued me. He compared reading the Bible to texting with his wife—how it nurtures their relationship when he reads and responds to his wife’s texts. Likewise, when he reads the Bible to connect with God, he gets to know Him better. Reading God’s text builds their relationship.

Imagine what happens if we disregard those messages from our children, spouse, parents, or friends. When we neglect reading the Bible, it’s equivalent to ignoring God’s message to us. Our relationship suffers.

  • “You will draw closer to God, and your life will be transformed,” Lori Hatcher asserts as she argues the best way to draw closer to God is to read your Bible. I happened upon this article by chance and saved it. Enjoy Lori’s excellent post here: “The Best Way to Draw Near to God.”

I believe God orchestrated these events so I would do what I did. I started a Bible reading plan on the first day of Lent and completed Day 365 two weeks before the current Lenten season. Starting a Bible reading plan on Ash Wednesday is odd but worked for me. (Many people start such plans on January 1.)

It’s not that I didn’t already read the Bible. I did. I read it for information, during guided Bible studies, in daily devotions, and at church. And although I’d started Bible reading plans before, I never finished one.

why I succeeded this year

  • Changing my intent changed the effect. When my purpose for reading the Bible became to know God better, the effect was different. We get to know the people in our life by spending time with them. To know God better and grow closer to Him, I needed to invest time in the relationship.

In previous attempts, my goal was to check a box. Reading the Bible cover to cover was something I “should” do. My reasoning was flawed, it didn’t feel right, and I quit.

  • Partnering with God changed the results. Before each day’s reading, I asked God for His insights, to spiritually bless me with His Word, and thanked Him in advance. Including God in the journey resulted in meaningful and rewarding outcomes.

Today, I cannot imagine not continuing the practice until I no longer have eyes and ears. The Bible is exciting. It’s filled with beautiful, lyrical writing. Adventures. Wars. Stories of redemption, rebellion, and surrender. God’s love and promises. And it nurtured my relationship with Him. My year of reading through the Bible drew me closer to my Father.

The more time I spend with God, the more time God spends with me.

Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.

(James 4:8 ESV)

I encourage you to read through your Bible if you don’t already. In my next post, I’ll share the process that finally succeeded for me. The first time through is a little different from subsequent ones.

Ever read the Bible cover to cover? The Bible is exciting. It’s filled with beautiful, lyrical writing. Adventures. Wars. Stories of redemption, rebellion, and surrender. God’s love and promises. And it will nurture your relationship… Click To Tweet

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19 Comments

  1. God’s Word is rich. I love when I read something that I’ve read many times before and it continues to stir my heart and causes me to love Christ more. Happened this morning! Thank you for your post.

  2. I am reading through the Bible this year also, Candyce. It does make a difference in what we can learn. Each time we read this masterpiece from our Lord, we can absorb new revelation. Thanks for sharing your plan.

  3. Candyce, I love the comparison of reading the Bible to texting with God. And your point about having a higher purpose for your reading is so on point. Checking a box isn’t the best motivation. Thanks for sharing your journey.

    1. Yes, The motivation was meaningless and wrong, so I quit. I hope my minister’s texting analogy hit home with a lot of the (mainly young) congregation.

      Thanks for your encouragement.

  4. I love this post. I am on my third time through and God reveals more each time. It reminds me how the Bible is the living word of God.

    1. That’s a great point about the Bible being the living word of God. It gives me new understanding of that phrase. Thank you!

  5. Thanks for the encouragement, Candyce! Reading the Bible cover to cover can seem daunting, especially in a year (or less). But it’s doable and worth it! I love your comment that “The more time I spend with God, the more time God spends with me.” It’s all about perspective and the purpose behind what we do.

    1. Yes, Leigh! It’s worth it because of the rewards — a closer relationship with God and a deeper knowledge of Who He is. I’m thankful He orchestrated things so I received this spiritual blessing. Thanks for stopping by!

  6. Candyce, like you, I started and stopped many times with the plan to read the entire Bible. I read my Bible and completed Bible studies, but I didn’t always read intending to know God better. What a difference that makes. This year I’m reading a chronological Bible and look forward to reading each day. I enjoyed your encouraging post.

    1. Thanks for sharing that, Jeannie. Isn’t it wonderful how God slowly works to change our heart to help draw us closer to Him? I’m so thankful, He never gives up on me. I can be a slow learner sometimes.

  7. Amen to all you said, Candyce! And I especially appreciated your comment that one reason you succeeded was because your goal wasn’t to check off a box but to draw near to God. Great advice and encouragement for us all!

  8. Although I’ve read the Bible through several times, I’ve never gotten finished in one year. You did great! Thank you for reminding us to pray before we begin our daily reading. I’m going to strive to do that. I look forward to the second installment in this series. I really enjoyed (and needed) your message. Thank you, Candyce.

    1. Thanks for the encouragement, Katherine. It’s not important, I don’t think, that the reading be completed in a year. There were times in my life when finding the time to complete it in a year would have been a great challenge.

      But now I do have the time (and desire) and a daily reading plan helped make it a habit

  9. I’ve never managed to read the Bible all the way through either. Some of the reasons you identified hold true for me as well. I can really relate to feeling like it’s a task I need to check off. You’ve encouraged me to take a different perspective. Thanks for sharing.

  10. ‘from task to treasure’ I love the way you put that J.D. A task doesn’t move us closer to Him at all. We must anticipate and expect Him to show up.

    Blessings to you, Sir!

  11. Amen Ms. Candyce. It’s when we move our hearts and minds from task to treasure, God shows up the most. You share some great and encouraging reasons for us to treasure His word through Bible study and meditation upon it. God’s blessings ma’am.

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