Did you know that if you read (starting today) four chapters of the Bible a day (not including Psalm 119...you can read that one by itself) you will finish it before next Christmas?
Some suggestions...
*Don't feel like you have to read it in the order it's in but do stick with one book at a time. If you want, read 3 chapters of a book and one Psalm...this will last a little less than half a year. Proverbs would work too but only for a month.
*The best advise I ever heard about which translation to use is from an old preacher in Florida, "The best Bible to read is the Bible you read". Most translations have their strong points and weaknesses but unless you're planning on brushing up your ancient Greek, Aramaic and Hebrew, get one you understand and I would suggest a Bible that is unencumbered by lots of stuff around the margins written by other people telling you how you should think about it. Don't read a study Bible. Study a study Bible. Read a plain 'ol Bible.
*Respond. Ask God to speak to you through His Word and He will. Write down insights He gives you while reading. Write down questions you have about things that don't seem to make sense. Write out prayers of response.
Do you have some Bible reading thoughts? Post a comment...
4 comments:
here's a couple of sites that will get you through in a year:
http://www.bible-reading.com/bible-calendar-niv.html
http://www.ibs.org/bibles/dailyreading/index.php
there are also many on line bibles that you could add to your favorites, or bookmark: biblegateway.com has multiple versions to choose from.
God bless you in Christ Jesus, through the power of the Holy Spirit.
mark
Read it with expectation. I'm more of a prayer kind of gal, and at times reading the Bible is hard. but the more I expected the words to change that substance that is in me, I saw that He was and is faithful to do it.
my thoughts are that I need to read the bible more. I am in Kona now bro so hopefully I will have some time and with the newness of everything make some time. I want to read daily, even if it is a bit at a time. I just don't want it to become another book on my shelf. I respect it bro, but I don't read it and get to know it as I should. I am like a bible stocker, wanting it, looking at it, having it on my shelf, but not getting to know it.
i would like to read through the Bible, cover to cover, at least once in my life.
i think there's this misconception about what reading the Bible should look like, though. you said it perfectly. there's a distinction between studying the Bible and getting to know the Person that is the Word. i would like to read my Bible, on a regular basis, as such. "hey, Jesus, how are you doing today? what do you want to work out of/into my heart over the next few months? let's spend some 'us' time just hanging out."
of course, our relationship isnt limited to "i talk to You through prayer, You respond through the Written Word," but it is a great way to get to know His Heart.
anyway, the idea of prayerful, meditative, contemplative relationship through the reading of Sacred Scripture is lectio divina, an ancient practice of birthing the kingdom of Christ within ourselves. a quick google search can point anyone interested in the right direction, i'm sure (http://www.centeringprayer.com/lectio/lectio.htm works, too).
now get off my back. i got some reading to do. i haven't cracked open my Qur'an in weeks....
Post a Comment