Reading the Bible completely through

[tim-from-pa]

I started December 10, and completed reading the entire bible today, including the apocrypha for those Catholic friends out there. This is not to boast, but rather to show that this day and age, there's not only paper bibles, but myriads of apps and web pages that have the entire Bible printed. I prefer the KJV, but there's others. There's something about the bible in electronic form that makes reading it faster with good comprehension. On your smart phone, for example, you can drink in several chapters like you're reading a long text from someone, perhaps at break time at work, or while waiting in line. At home, on the laptop or desktop, you can read a few chapters in no time like a web page while doing your other internet stuff. And then again, there's the old-fashioned book way, perhaps sitting out on your porch if you live in the country like I do, and read it while listening to nature.

Bottom line --- it's easy, and goes quickly. I estimate I can read through the bible in 55 hours (not counting the apocrypha). While I admit I don't do this yearly, at 55 years of age, I managed this probably a couple of dozen times in my life. So, with something like 55 hours, there's really no excuse for a Christian, if one calls themselves one, to not have read God's Word cover-to-cover at least once in their lives. Quick daily devotions and church sermons and studies have their place, but the entire bible needs to be read so that one can place everything in context.

 

[Willie T]

OK.......................................................... ?

 

[tim-from-pa]

OK.......................................................... ?

Simple point I'm making -- God's Word is so abundant that there's no excuse not reading it with the technology today. In the past, we were limited to a paper bible and a specific time and place to read. Now, we can read it almost anywhere and especially if people are online all the time. So, with the exception of a person being a new Christian, I think a person would be hard pressed for an acceptable excuse if they were supposedly a Christian for some time yet not reading the bible through. God's making it easier by the year, there's no more He can do.

 

[Deborah13]

Simple point I'm making -- God's Word is so abundant that there's no excuse not reading it with the technology today. In the past, we were limited to a paper bible and a specific time and place to read. Now, we can read it almost anywhere and especially if people are online all the time. So, with the exception of a person being a new Christian, I think a person would be hard pressed for an acceptable excuse if they were supposedly a Christian for some time yet not reading the bible through. God's making it easier by the year, there's no more He can do.

Apps for Nooks and Kindles are awesome for this.

 

[Gary]

Here's another way to get your daily bread. Follow along or just listen.

 

[Deborah13]

Another way is to listen on CD. Makes doing boring chores enjoyable and long drives, too.

 

[Gary]

Another way is to listen on CD. Makes doing boring chores enjoyable and long drives, too.

I have it on both CD and mp3.
.

 

[tim-from-pa]

Yes, listening to it is also acceptable, and thus further proves my point. You see people going around with ear plugs in all the time, why not make some of that listening to the bible? With me, I comprehend better reading, so listening may not be everyone's forte. I'm not as focused listening and like some typical guys, I tend to tune that out if I'm involved in something. Also, I don't always comprehend when I'm listening in everyday life. This is the reason why I'm accused of "not listening right" if I'm told something and forget or don't comprehend something when spoken to.

 

[Deborah13]

Yes, listening to it is also acceptable, and thus further proves my point. You see people going around with ear plugs in all the time, why not make some of that listening to the bible? With me, I comprehend better reading, so listening may not be everyone's forte. I'm not as focused listening and like some typical guys, I tend to tune that out if I'm involved in something. Also, I don't always comprehend when I'm listening in everyday life. This is the reason why I'm accused of "not listening right" if I'm told something and forget or don't comprehend something when spoken to.

I comprehend better when I read as well and even more when I read out loud. But I have increased my audio retention by listening to audio books over the years. It's amazing what we can train our brains to do.

 

[jasonc]

ok, since I have read my bible through several times I suggest also slowing down and studying it. im sure most read and glance through the torah verses actually studying it , and that takes discipline. of which I need to apply too.

 

[tim-from-pa]

It's also helpful for the newer readers to have a basic historical background of the bible. When I was only 20 years old, a pastor gave me a bible handbook as a college graduation gift which had a two page "outline of the bible story" which gave a brief overview of the history, and the purpose and message of the prophets. From there, when reading thru it, the bible made more sense since I could relate where on the outline the bible fit in, and thus filled in the details. From there, as Jason suggested, after reading thru it a few times, one can then target specific subjects and study, e.g. the Torah, in detail. Nevertheless, It's good to reread it at times so that we don't forget something that may be relevant to our studies, especially when we pick up on another topic of study.

The reason my first post may have had a tad of irateness in it is because on Christian radio the other day, a "typical" caller (in my terms, because I hear many of these) wanted help, but she seemed only familiar with the NT. The host tried to relate the story of Joseph and his brothers, and she said she remembers reading about it years ago, but did not remember much about the story. She's a Christian for years and doesn't know that story? Hello? That sets one up for a Jesus of one's imagination. Stories like that are very critical for the Christian faith. It's time she stopped seeking help and attention for her own problems and started reading and studying instead. The lack of the latter is probably what is contributing to her problems.

 

[Deborah13]

It's also helpful for the newer readers to have a basic historical background of the bible. When I was only 20 years old, a pastor gave me a bible handbook as a college graduation gift which had a two page "outline of the bible story" which gave a brief overview of the history, and the purpose and message of the prophets. From there, when reading thru it, the bible made more sense since I could relate where on the outline the bible fit in, and thus filled in the details. From there, as Jason suggested, after reading thru it a few times, one can then target specific subjects and study, e.g. the Torah, in detail. Nevertheless, It's good to reread it at times so that we don't forget something that may be relevant to our studies, especially when we pick up on another topic of study.

The reason my first post may have had a tad of irateness in it is because on Christian radio the other day, a "typical" caller (in my terms, because I hear many of these) wanted help, but she seemed only familiar with the NT. The host tried to relate the story of Joseph and his brothers, and she said she remembers reading about it years ago, but did not remember much about the story. She's a Christian for years and doesn't know that story? Hello? That sets one up for a Jesus of one's imagination. Stories like that are very critical for the Christian faith. It's time she stopped seeking help and attention for her own problems and started reading and studying instead. The lack of the latter is probably what is contributing to her problems.

I agree with you. I think part of the problem is that the OT is not presented in church services as it applies to the NT.

 

[Roro1972]

Here's another way to get your daily bread. Follow along or just listen.

sounds like my GoBible; 24 bucks goes anywhere.

 

[AndyBern]

There's a series of radio stations in England run by United Christian Broadcasters, one of which broadcasts audio Bibles 24 hours a day. The version used is NIV by various readers, or Alexander Scourby's KJV. You can listen online through the web (http://www.ucb.co.uk/) or use the UCB app on your Android device.