This cooler weather makes me want to curl up with a great book by a crackling fire. Would that book be the bible for you? Have you ever read the entire Bible? If so, how many times? If not, how much have you read?
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This cooler weather makes me want to curl up with a great book by a crackling fire. Would that book be the bible for you? Have you ever read the entire Bible? If so, how many times? If not, how much have you read?
Yes, once. I’m working on it for the second time now. Covered 98 days out of 250. The plan is by Prof Horner and the plan is such that we read some parts of the Bible several times. e.g. Acts is read 12 times/year. Sorry, it’s more data than you asked for.
Not sure how many times I have read the entire Bible…probably 13 or 14 times when I finish again this Dec 31st.
I have completely read through the Bible six times that I can recall. I currently use a reading program from lifejournal.cc. This program includes lessons on journaling, which I have found enhances the gaining of wisdom from the time you spend doing the reading. If you choose a good modern language version the daily time required does not take more than an hour. I am finding that to get the most wisdom and growth in Christian character from my reading time I need to read the Bible completely every year. The wisdom you gained the previous year opens the door to new and deeper wisdom the next time through. For an encouraging message in the Christian growth process, check out lifejournal.cc, click on the learn how to journal link.
Most Christians already know that they can read the same passage, several times, or more, and it’s on the 4th or 5th – or even 15th – reading of the passage that the proverbial light bulb comes on, and seems to be brighter then than in times past. It’s the “WOW!-I’ve-never-noticed-THAT-before!” moment. One should not read the Bible through, for one’s sole method of Bible study. One should place more emphasis on topical Bible study, to learn what God says about divorce, salvation, grace, etc. To do so, one will usually need to use a Concordance to find multiple passages in different books. Topical Bible study enables one to know what Jesus said was more important: the study of Eschatology, or work. Next, one should depend upon the Holy Spirit, to help commit certain verses and passages to memory. Reading the Bible through is informative. It is not entirely without merit. I’ve read the Bible through, 4 times. For example, it gives one more familiarity with the Old Testament “Minor” prophets. Also, when one reads the Bible through “from Genesis to Maps” one comes across nuggets like “I AM the Lord…I change not”, or the commandment dealing with the unpleasant but necessary matter of normal bowel functions (and yes, you’ll have to find it yourself)
I do two sessions one in the morning which is reading 10 chapters from the Bible (Bible Reading – Extensive). The second one in the evening is a study (Bible Study – Intensive). For the second session concordance, Bible dictionary, commentaries are used a lot. For the first one, less so. I suppose both types are needed daily and perhaps of equal importance.
Have never read the Bible straight thru but have read all of the Bible over time. The question on reading the Bible straight thru seems to be the main motivation for doing so. . . to be able to say you have done it. Reading the Bible as an activity in itself can be so mechanical and miles removed from anything of a living nature. Find that if my reading lacks communion with God then my time was not well spent. The Word is never more important than the Living Word, who is Christ Himself. Having said that, there is something that makes the Bible as a book separate and special from all other books.
I’ve read the Bible through, cover to cover, more times than I recall. I believe it’s important to do this repeatedly because it enables you to get a better view of the whole story and once isn’t enough. It also keeps us from selecting our favourite passages or topics to the neglect of the rest. In-depth study should be in addition to daily reading. It’s like eating. We have to do it regularly and frequently to be nourished and we need to eat from all the food groups, not just our favourites. The Bible is our spiritual sustenance (well, okay, God is but the Bible is our primary source of ingesting, so to speak, God). We need lots of it.
I have read the Bible 27 times in the last 5 and a half years and have finished REVELATIONS AND GENESIS so far this year. I have no problems with reading the Bible. I will just keep on reading until I decide it is time for me to stop. I find it to be a extremely enlightening book all 66 Chapters.
I have only read Bible 3 times. I am asking advice as to what i can use to better understand what i read. Some parts are simple and others very deep and complex.
Lisa, I don’t think you have to understand everything you’re reading to benefit your reading. I think the biggest tool to understanding is prayer, asking God to show you what he wants you to see, hear, know and understand. The Holy Spirit is the best explainer. There are lots of tools available online to help. I mostly use biblestudytools.com but you can also type a question in Google to find an answer. The danger, of course is that not everything online is reliable. Your pastor might be able to recommend some good resources for you. Currently my favourite Bible is one with notes edited by Jack Hayford, pastor of Church on the Way, a Foursquare church. While that’s not my denomination, I have a lot of respect for Hayford. It’s called New Spirit-Filled Life Bible, eBook: Kingdom Equipping Through the Power of the Word. There are many others of course. There are so many background books explaining the Bible that you can wind up being swamped by the reading of them instead of the Bible. The easiest and most personal is simply asking God to open your ears every time you open your Bible.
I love to read and my favorite secular genre is Historical Fiction. After that I love history and the classics. Tomorrow I wll be celebrating my 43rd spiritual birthday (I accepted Christ while in the US Navy during the latter part of the Vietnam war). I have read an enormous amount of secular books during the past 43 years but not near as much of the Bible (how much – I couldn’t say) Last year I decided to stop reading secular books until I could do right by the Bible. It turned out to be a life changer and I was very surprised to see how much it would actually “pull you in” if you are not careful. I have always understood and experienced that the Bible is “living”. The Holy spirit is amazing in the way it makes new applications in your life every time you read the Bible. As it ended up, although I hadn’t intended as such from the beginning of 2016, I ended up reading the OT four times and the NT sixty times. I can honestly say that it was an extreme blessing and was never a burden – far from it. When I wasn’t reading I was craving to read and enjoyed all of it. This year I am reading the entire Bible thirty times – but the way it is going so far I don’t think I will be able to stop at that.
Dwight, that is so encouraging to hear. Wonderful! What a blessing you’ve found!
Blessings beyond description. In fairness I must state, however, that I have a couple advantages over many others that makes it easier to spend the time required to read as much as I do. A. I am retired and therefore don’t have the hectic schedule many othets have. B. I don’t have children at home. C. I have a disability that prevents me from doing much of anything physical. God is SO good.
Doesn’t matter. You could be watching TV, playing on a computer or reading other books.
Thanks for the affirmation.
I am on track for 36 times this year. Like I said in my earlier post, being disabled does have some benefits. I have LOTS of sitting time and enjoy SO much reading the Bible. I read the whole Bible in the past 5 days. I will start over again in the morning.
From Dwight Still reading – incredibly rewarding
Finished 36 in 2017 Focus for 2018: prayer
Why no more posts after mine on 1/17/2018? Maybe I can no longer figure this thing out.