Easy Bible read through

The easy way to read through the Bible

Have you tried to be disciplined enough to read through the bible in a year? Only to find yourself January 15 stuck somewhere around Genesis 30 murmuring something about Laban.  Reminiscent of a scene out of “The Man from Snowy River”.  You have guessed it I am speaking from experience.  Until… I was inspired by the book “How to enjoy reading your Bible” by Keith Ferrin.  I would Highly recommend it.  It is packed with many helpful ideas all of which are great to remember when you are getting into God’s word.

The one suggestion that really took me by surprise was the rapid Bible read through.  Being able to look at the big picture of what is going on makes a huge difference in seeing the story.  So a few summers ago I jumped in with both feet and now I can’t turn back.  Here are the big things I have learned through the process.

Make the Bible read through easy on yourself –

I am a terrible reader and the thought of reading the entire Bible all the way through has been daunting. I have read each book up to this time, because I didn’t know how easy it really could be.  As they say “There is an app for that.”  I downloaded the Bible app on my phone.  Since there are many to choose from this is the one that seemed to be the easiest for me.  It comes with a chronological reading plan.

Download the app

Choose “Plans” at the bottom in the middle

Select “Find Plans” at the top right

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Scroll Down to “Through the Bible”
Select “Whole Bible”
Choose “Chronological”
And “Start Plan” when you get there

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This is a plan for the whole year, but don’t worry it won’t take you that long.  So far I can get through it in about 4 months without too much problem. Even as a busy mom of 3.

You can find a place in any routine to keep reading through

• Obviously start at the beginning and go go go
  • There are several versions of the bible that can be read to you. Anything with a speaker next to it will work.
  • Choose the one that is the easiest to listen to – I like the NIV
  • And hit play
  • When it says you have finished for the day which is less than a sink of dishes worth, much less than a 30 min commute, about the same as folding a load of laundry or 2, less than cast on knitting for the cache-cou… ( I can only do one thing at time so I find making it a task that is easy for me to put on auto pilot is best),  or my personal favorite in the summer is to put on the headphones and do a weeding session in the garden.
  • It will stop when you have completed that days reading

Just keep reading….

• There will be a button to touch and then keep on going.
  • When you put it down for the day you will be on a different day than it says in “Find Plans” again at the bottom middle
    • Choose My plans at the top left
    • Pick Chronological
    • Then find the day you are on

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• As a tip if you fall behind or speed ahead you can go to “days” and choose the one you are on.

After having done the easy bible read though, here are a few little insights. There are many places in the Old Testament that repeat itself. Don’t think that you are going crazy if you start hearing things over again and wonder if you picked the right day.  When I was coming back from a faraway vacation, I had this sensation.  I was thrilled to plug the phone into my car and listen for hours on end. But I did wonder if my phone was being silly a few times.  The Bible does repeat itself I feel like this is a great memory tool. It also reaffirms itself in many places over many authors.

Make the Bible read through easy..

Since you have a desire to do the read through pray about it. And Don’t beat yourself up if you aren’t the most consistent.  As an all or nothing girl I know the pitfalls of trying to be the creature of habit I am not.   There are times that I can spend a good amount of time listening and other days I just can’t or don’t.  The reality is God blessed me anyways.  And listening to Him speak to me in this way has drawn me in a way I didn’t expect.  

Get wrapped up in the story and don’t get bogged down with the details.  There are wonderful things to be discovered by digging deep into a small bit of God’s word, but his is not the time.  Because you will be floored by the big picture. I will say that listening by large chunks helps build momentum and races you to the New testament.  It also gives you this over view of the Amazing story God is writing.  Then, you will be able to tell the story in a new way.

The Best things is that it is a thrilling story.  You will be shocked at what is in there and shocked at what isn’t.  Whenever I get done I can’t wait to get started again. 

Completing your mission will change the way you think.

Finishing the Book was an epoch in my life.  It blows me away at what people have said is in there, but I can’t find. I think a huge part of being a responsible thinker is to find out for yourself what something says and not let other people tell you what something says. You can do it!!! Take the challenge read through yourself and then tell me what you find. The race through was mind blowing for this non speed reader.

 Making a few last observations:

              The parts that I thought I knew the best seem to get lost in the big picture.  And thousands of years can fly by in a month.  No wonder He says, “A thousand years are like a moment.” Ha ha ha   I did really like the chronology of it.  When you get to the New Testament it doesn’t go by event but by chapter.  You get to hear 4 witnesses to violent crime, and see how everything changed because of that one event.

I do have to say this is a little harder to do in a group or with a few friends, but it would be well worth tying, just for encouragement and to share what you are learning.

You will be amazed at how fast it goes by, and how much you learn.  Please tell me if you are starting on this journey. I would love to hear where you are and what you are learning. Please leave a comment and keep me posted.