“…I have esteemed the words of His mouth more than my necessary food…” (Job 23:12)
I’d like to challenge you to join my family in reading the Bible through chronologically in 2009.
Why read the Bible through in a year?
Although it’s great to slowly digest a chapter or do word studies, there is a special perspective and understanding you recieve when you read through the Bible at a faster pace. It causes you to step back and see the whole picture at once.
As believers, we are to follow the “whole counsel of God” (Acts 20:27) and many haven’t even read through the Bible in it’s entirety. It is certainly difficult to follow that with which we are unfamiliar.
What happens if you get behind?
Sometimes we’re hesitant to set goals because it heightens our possiblity of failure.
I remember feelings of despair from getting behind on my Bible reading plan in the past and realizing something like, “I’d have to read 34 chapters today to catch up! Maybe I should just quit…”
So here’s my plan this year: If I miss a day, I’m going to start fresh the next day at where I am supposed to be reading. Then I’ll record what I missed in a little journal and go back and read it whenever I can.
Here’s what to read for the first week of reading through the Bible chronologically:
Jan 1: Genesis 1-3
Jan 2: Genesis 4-7
Jan 3: Genesis 8-11
Jan 4: Job 1-5
Jan 5: Job 6-9
Jan 6: Job 10-13
Jan 7: Job 14-16
To see the whole schedule, click here.
Our church is doing this together and we’re looking forward to the fellowship it will stimulate. If you decide to take up the challenge, I’d recommend that you find others to do it with you!
The other day, my dad told me about how in 1982 he got 50-60 people to join him in something he called, “The Bible through in ’82”. Even an unsaved neighbor joined and kept up.
God bless you all and Happy New Year!
Our family and church has done this in past years and it’s really great! I would encourage everyone to do it! Great post Grace!
I’m in Grace! I was doing the “bible in a year” reading some time ago, but it’s been a few years and I was just thinking I’d want to do it again. Also a chronological approach would be just what I need at this time. Thanks for the suggestion!
I am doing it as well! Cept I think the schedule I have is a bit different! I am super excited!
Hi Grace! Great challenge! I committed to reading the Bible through in 2008 and I’m almost done. A few chapters in Psalms and then I’m finished! Well, I hope it goes well for you and your family. This year I really want to take small sections at a time and study them. I had a really hard time to keep up on my reading that I didn’t get time to just study. At the beginning of the year I got really sick for two weeks and I got over 40 chapters behind! That happened several times but every time I got caught up. I’m really glad to be finishing up but it was a good experience. I’m glad I can say “I read the Bible in one year” God bless you!
I’m starting early and I am using it. However, it’s messed up – not easy to follow. I printed it out and drew arrows all over it to keep me on track.
Hi Grace!
Me and mom are doing it! I started early in case I skipped a day. I got tracks for Crhistmas and my dads is encouraging me to start talking with people about the truth! 🙂
I thought this challenge would be great as I seek a closer relation ship with the Lord.
Have a Happy New Year!
Haley:)
This sounds like a really good idea. I’ve never seen a schedule with the chronological order of the Bible before.
Hi Grace,
It’s just so wonderful seeing how you can grow through reading God’s word everyday and seeking Him whole-heartedly.
Happy New Year! 🙂
Love In Christ,
Deborah.
Hello Grace,
Thank you for your inspiration. We are really getting a lot out of reading through the Bible chronologically.
One thing I noticed was the reading plan is missing some days (the Bible passages are there, but the days are not noted as such – see days 120-125). I sent an email to the webmaster of the referenced site, and hopefully they will be able to update it soon. If anyone would like a copy that we updated, we can email them.
God bless you and your family,
The Schutters