Last Monday, I joined with hundreds of other Christians in an attempt to read the entire Bible in only three months - 90 days of reading large sections of the Scriptures each day. I’m happy to report I am keeping up with challenge and on target with my reading.
Genesis and Exodus read like an old friend; I know these stories well. All that family drama makes for easy reading. Then we get to the laws of Leviticus. Oy! And here comes the book of Numbers, another less-than-exciting book (unless you like reading about animal sacrifice and genealogy.)
When Bible reading gets to be difficult, especially when you combine it with the busyness of life, you need a plan.
These are my tips on how to read the Bible, cover to cover, in only 90 days:
1. Start in the summertime. Less good TV to distract you. Reruns help you to turn off the electronic box and you get more reading done.
2. Read by the pool, in the hammock, at the beach or other places of recreation. You are spending more time outside, relaxing with a cold beverage, watching the kids play or enjoying the sun. Put down the trashy paperback and pick up the Bible.
3. Keep your Bible with you at all times. You never know when you can sneak in a chapter or two.
4. Read ahead a few chapters every day. I call this “reading insurance.” You never know what tomorrow will bring and you don’t want to fall behind.
5. Pray for the time, energy and eagerness to dive in into this life changing Book. Prayer works! And He wants us to know His word.
And my favorite tip:
6. Pick a new translation. I’ve already read all of Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus in the New International Version a number of years ago, so for this Bible reading challenge, I decided to go with a different translation. By reading in a new-to-you translation, you can keep it interesting and maybe gain new insight to the Scripture. I’m using my pocket English Standard Version for this reading and enjoying the more formal tone with the language.
What are your tips to help you find time to read? Please share.
Next week: The benefits of quickly reading. Why would you want to read the entire Bible so fast. See you then.
Welcome, other Bible-in-90-days participants! I want to get to know you. Leave a comment and be sure to connect with me on Twitter or Facebook. If you love to read, or homeschool your children, you may want to subscribe to PaperBridges.net. It’s free!
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Twitter: Momstoolbox
Great tips!
I am so thankful you are reading with us!!
Twitter: monicabrand
thank you, Amy, for getting us started. I don’t think I’d heard of B90days until I read about it at your blog, which I’m sure I found on Twitter.
Twitter: neeniebelle
I love these tips! I especially like #6. I am reading an NIV version, which is different from what I usually read. Oy is right re: the laws of Leviticus. It’s keeping my attention though.
Twitter: adjunctmom
I totally agree with you on these tips. I hadn’t really thought about reading a different version, but I guess I am. I’m an NRSV girl usually, but I’m reading whatever the 90 day Bible is (too lazy to shift around to figure that out).
Reading insurance is a must on days like this one. Glad to see that you’re on schedule so far
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Twitter: hmariey
We are currently on our third year through as a family though I have read it through 8 separate times on my own before that. The best advice I ever got was to start with an easy version the first time through (I used the Promise which I much prefer to The Message). We have also found that each time reading through choosing a different focus or order (like Chronological vs Old, New, poetry, prophet each day vs in order) helps you get more out of it. Also good is to have a topic you are watching for and to occasionally change media (we love our current audio book version.) Reading insurance is also a great tip (last year when my mom died we skipped a whole month of reading), or being willing to skip lists or a certain book if things get tight at the end (this year my husband chose to avoid Psalms and Song of Songs–his least favorite) though in the past we have skipped Revelations or just read the highlights from lists of names and went with ditto instead of reading the whole repeated 30 times bits in the law. So far Chronological is my favorite because I have gotten so much more out of it that way. I have not tried in 90 days yet.