reading through the Bible

reading through the Bible

I’ve never sat down and read the Bible cover-to-cover before, though I think through Bible studies and school growing up I’ve read the whole Bible. This year I decided to do one of the reading plans on YouVersion. YouVersion has free mobile apps, and I have one on my iPod Touch and one for my android phone. I really like YouVersion a lot! Around January 1st, I read through all the reading plans and selected one to follow. I’m doing the Historical plan. Here is the write-up about it:

“Have you ever wondered what it would have been like to read the Old Testament in ancient Israel? Or, the New Testament as the books were written? In this plan, the order of the Old Testament readings is very similar to Israel’s Hebrew Bible, progressing from Law to Prophets to Writings. The New Testament ordering is based upon research regarding the order in which the books were authored. Although this research is not conclusive, it may offer helpful insights to your Bible reading.”

So far, I’ve been pretty consistent about reading my portion every night before bed. I just started Numbers a few nights ago. (I’m actually reading it faster than the plan has – often reading two days’ worth.) It’s been interesting to read through the Old Testament. I’m trying to not just read but take time to ponder the words. One thing I wish I had was a way to look deeper in some of the things I read, instead of just reading straight scripture. I have a lot of questions. :-)

I highly recommend YouVersion if you’re looking for a reading plan. You can start anytime, and you can either read it on a mobile device or on the computer, or you can read it in your Bible and just check off what you’ve read. There are whole year plans, and partial year plans, all with different focuses. In the spring when we start camping, I think I might take a break from the historical plan and read the 30-day Environment plan, to help me better appreciate the creation around me. Or perhaps I’ll do it with Paul in addition to my personal Bible reading.

I hope reading through the Bible will help me draw closer to God, and turn to Him first instead of trying to do everything on my own.

9 thoughts on “reading through the Bible

  1. That sounds like a neat site. I will look into them after I finish the Bible in 90 Days. Though, at the moment the idea of reading anything else having to do with 1 & 2 Samuel, 1 & 2 Kings, 1 & 2 Chronicles makes me cringe! I have learned a lot (like there was a Queen of Judah for six years!), but it has really fried my brain with all the re-tellings.

    I am glad you are enjoying reading and are ahead of schedule! Does it help you to have a routine to do it?

  2. Molly: One thing that’s cool is they have lots of different reading plans, not just entire Bible ones. (They also have the Bible in 90 days one, which I did consider.) Next December I want to do the 30-day Christmas plan. I think it does help having a routine. I also LOVE being able to read on my iPod. Paul doesn’t like me to have the light on, and while we go to bed at the same time I am always up for an hour or two after him, so this gives me some time to focus on it.

  3. I LOVE YouVersion! I think that software really helped me read through the Bible the first time, and I’m going through it again with a different plan and translation.

    I’m doing CCV which has some OT, NT and Psalm/Proverbs daily. I adjusted it from 1 year to about 6 months.

    I’m finishing Deuteronomy today. There are tough parts of the OT for me, but it’s good to just keep going!

  4. I’ve never read the whole thing before- I’m trying to do it in 4 months- then go back and take it slower. Those Books of Law are some tough reading. I’m reading it Chronologically and am in Psalms and 1 Samuel. Much more interesting stuff!

  5. I do much better reading than listening, in general. I’m definitely not an auditory learner.

    Ana – Yeah I am struggling through all the laws. A lot of repetition! In Genesis, it was easy to do 2 days worth of readings, but now I’m definitely going through much slower. How do you like the chronological plan? I spent a long time debating between that and the historical plan. Maybe I’ll do the chronological next year. :-)

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