Reading to Read

I've been reading the Bible for about 33 years now...ever since my parents gave me my very own Bible on Palm Sunday, 1979, which also coincided with the year I learned to read.  I can't tell you how many times I've read it through.  There are parts of it I have read multiple times.  I've been reading through Proverbs on a monthly basis for 25 years.  I've been reading through the Psalms on a monthly basis for 10.  During one 18 month period, I read through the Gospels every month.  Because of the idea that the Bible should be read through from cover to cover, I've read Genesis & Exodus innumerable times, and yes, I have also gotten stranded in the desert with the Children of Israel in Leviticus and Numbers, and often didn't make it to Deuteronomy.

This year, 2012, I've decided to read the Bible through completely four times.  My basic premise is this:  I love to read, I'm a fast reader, I've read it all before so I should be familiar with the contents.  All things considered, the Bible is not really a long book compared to the host of other things I read.  So I did a little math to determine what I would have to do to read the Bible through.

The Bible is 66 Books, with 1189 chapters

30 Days = 40 Chapters a Day

40 Days = 30 Chapters a Day

60 Days = 20 Chapters a Day

90 Days = 14 Chapters a Day

180 Days = 7 Chapters a Day

365 Days = 3 Chapters a Day, & 5 on Sundays.

I began my first attempt in January.  My travels messed my reading schedule up; I read about half the Bible.

My second attempt in February got messed up by illness, and I didn't even keep track of what I read.

Now I'm in the first week of my third attempt to read the Bible completely through in 30 days.  So far, so good.  And there is nothing on my schedule to prevent me from doing it.  So I'm reading.  Day before yesterday, I read 81 chapters.  Yesterday I read 61 chapters.

How long did that take you? someone might ask.  Well, I read 40 chapters in Genesis in about an hour and a half.  On average, I figure 2.5 minutes per chapter for the narratives, about 60 seconds per chapter if it's an average Psalm or Prophecy.  And I don't usually do it all in one sitting.  I do little bits throughout the day.  And I also don't stay in one place the whole time.  In other words, I didn't just start in Genesis, then go to Exodus, then go to Leviticus...that's where I get lost in the wilderness.  Instead, I have created my own breakdown for reading 40 chapters a day:

15 Chapters from the historical books (Genesis - Esther)

2 Chapters from the wisdom books (Job, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon)

1 Chapter from Proverbs

5 Chapters from Psalms

9 Chapters from the Prophets (Isaiah - Malachi)

3 Chapters from the Gospels (Matthew - John)

5 Chapters from the Epistles (Romans - Revelation)

And on days 29 & 30, read Acts.

Now, this isn't an exact science.  If you read exactly 40 chapters a day, on the 30th day there will only be 29 chapters left to read.  I actually have a reading grid that I mark off to show how much I've read.  What I'm suggesting is not a strict religious exercise; it's more of a personal challenge to see if I can do it.  And a sort of personal challenge to you...to see if you would like to read the Bible through this year, or this month.  Incidentally, 170 chapters a day will get you through the Bible in 7 days.  I don't know if I'm that ambitious.  But perhaps someday.

And I might also add that this reading is not for study purposes.  It is not to gain deep understanding.  It is not to find hidden or previously unnoticed truths.  I am reading just to read.  I'm getting the Word in me, in large amounts every day.  My study for personal benefit or for sermon building is in addition to this.  So if you're thinking about doing this, remember:  read to read.  You'll be surprised how much it nourishes your spirit.

Your word is a lamp to my feet

and a light to my path.

Psalm 119:105, NKJV

Your word have I hidden in my heart,

that I might not sin against You.

Psalm 119:11, NKJV

"It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone,

but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.'"

Jesus, quoting Deuteronomy 8:3, in Matthew 4:4, NKJV

Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit,

which is the word of God...

Ephesians 6:17, NKJV

Let the word of Christ

dwell in you richly.

Colossians 3:16, NKJV

As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word,

that you may grow thereby,

if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious.

1 Peter 2:2-3, NKJV

The word of the Lord endures forever.

1 Peter 1:25, quoting Isaiah 40:8, NKJV