Despite some disappointments in 2004, I did manage to accomplish one worthwhile thing as I once again read through the Bible, cover-to-cover. This was my 14th consecutive year to do this, and I’m planning to do it again in 2005. In fact, I started today with the first three chapters of Genesis and the first chapter of Matthew. I had a second new beginning today as I started breaking in a new Bible, a Christmas gift from MLB to replace the one that was practically in tatters from the previous decade-and-a-half of use.
Despite the repetition, each year I find something that I’d swear was not there the year before. I recommend this as a worthwhile regimen for the new year, and I’ll even give you a link to the “Read the Bible Through” plan that I use. I’ve found that an average commitment of fifteen minutes a day is sufficient to accomplish this goal. (Note, however, that this is not — for me, anyway — a suitable substitution for in-depth Bible study. It simply moves too fast. But it will provide many good jumping off points for further study.)
If you’ve never before read through the Bible in a systematic fashion, why not do it in 2005? If you’re up to this challenge, leave a comment on this post or send me an email. If enough people respond, we’ll put up some sort of list in the Gazette’s sidebar for both incentive and accountability.
I’d love some accountability. I’ll read January 1 today. Thanks for the reminder!
Eric, thanks for the suggestion, and for the link from First Baptist-Midland, to aid the effort.
I’ve been watching the “Twilight Zone” marathon on SciFi Channel today. A favorite episode was ‘Obsolete Man,’ with Burgess Meredith (who appeared in a number of TZ episodes) as a Librarian who has been declared obsolete by the state, and will be publicly executed. The Librarian is prepared for his death by his Christian faith and his Bible (which the state had oulawed).
I don’t know much about Rod Serling, but if the episodes I’ve watched today (many written by him) are any indicator, he was a man of sincere faith.
Thanks, again, for the suggestion and the link. Maybe I’ll find that passage that assures me salvation is truly offered to all … even dang Yankees from back east.
Impressive! I myself have only about 8 chapters left of Proverbs, and I’ve finished the whole Old Testament.
Have a good year!
This is something I’ve always tried to do, but I’ve never made it through the whole Bible. I think accountability would be a great idea!
I am reading through the Bible but I am doing it sequentially rather than a few from the old testament and the few from the new testament (just because that confuses me lol). Don’t know how long it will take me, but I am really committed to it. 🙂
I’ve tried to read through the bible in a year before but I only got a month into it, but I’m going to try againthis year, with one of the ESV online devotions – thanks for the reminder!
Your comments are reminders that (1) this is something that is not an easy task, (2) there are many different ways to accomplish it and (3) we all need regular reminders and encouragement. Your comments have encouraged me!
Last time I accepted one of your challenges, my wife ran over me with a golf cart and ruined a perfectly good knee. The potentialities inherent in this challenge are…scary.
Scott, nothing enhances life like living dangerously! Some risks are more worthwhile than others…
true story:
Have I told this here before? I don’t think so, but apologies in advance if I have. My father was a public school teacher and he took it upon himself to teach us kids (I’m the oldest of 7 siblings) the basics at home. Ahead of his time, he had little confidence in the methods of most public school teachers.
Anyway, he taught all of us kids to read by our nightly bible reading in a family circle at home. I was given my first bible when I was in one of the early elementary grades as were each of my brothers and sisters. Dad would read a verse, Mom would read a verse, and each one of us kids would read a verse, and we’d do a chapter a night (usually) in this fashion.
Starting with Genesis 1:1 we’d read through to the end of Revalations. Then we’d start all over again.
I’ve been in a few different Bible study groups over the years, but I’ve not done a cover-to-cover since I graduated high school and left home. Maybe it’s time to do it once more.
I never did get all the way through it. Not sure if I’m up for it – but then, 15 minutes a day is certainly not a whole lot to ask.
I’ve bookmarked the link, and moved my Bible to my desk. I’ll give it a shot.
Ack! I’m already behind!
🙂
Roscoe, when you get to be my age, you can enjoy the same story over and over…because you’ll never remember the last time you heard it! 😉
Anyway, I don’t recall your telling it before, but it’s pretty cool that you grew up in an environment like that. Learning to read via the Bible…I wonder how many hundreds of thousands of people around the world and through the years have experienced that? I suspect you gain a much greater appreciation for The Word when it plays that significant role in your life.
Thanks for sharing.
bb, it won’t take long to get caught up: 6 chapters in Genesis, and they’re really interesting reading…you can cover the creation of the universe, the first sin, the first murder, the oldest man, the man who didn’t die, and the runup to the destruction of the world in one fell swoop!, and 1 1/2 chapters in Matthew.
Feel free to check back in and report on your progress!
Due to your challenge before the turn of the millenium, I resumed this rewarding habit I hadn’t practiced in, let’s say, a while. Each year I find, just as you do, that there is always something new I missed somehow the previous years. Thanks for the encouragement to others! Having been impressed and motivated by your exhortation in the 90’s, I now yearly challenge my Sunday School group to make it a part of their routine.
Knowing Jesus better through the re-reading of His Word is what has been the greatest blessing for me.