Sometimes there are posts I’m hesitant to write because I fear how they might be misconstrued. Believe me, it isn’t hard to write something one way and have readers take it quite another.
And never… I mean NEVER would I want to do anything to upset good, established devotional habits, or to say anything that might imply that I think a structured Bible reading plan is a bad idea. It isn’t. I know many churches and church groups that annually distribute Bible reading schedules. And I know well that many people like and even need the structure of a set Bible reading chart.
I am also a die-hard advocate of daily Bible reading and study in the life of a believer. Time spent in God’s word is essential to proper growth and I believe all scripture is inspired by God and “profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” (2 Timothy 3:16)
But I have to confess I’m not a big advocate of the Read Your Bible Through in a Year concept.
Now if this was something I’d never done, I don’t know that I would try to offer an opinion on it. But I have done it. In fact, I did it for several years, which is exactly what brought me to realize it wasn’t the best way for me (personally) to read my Bible. And I share this only because I’m sure there are others who have struggled with it as well, and it can really do much to discourage a person in their personal devotions, particularly if they keep feeling like they aren’t reading the Bible the “right way” or reading it enough just because they can’t seem to read Genesis to Revelation in the course of one year. Sadly, when people get discouraged in something they’re doing, they often QUIT IT altogether. And what could be worse than that?
Trying to read my Bible through yearly often rushed my reading
I’ve mentioned before that I’m a slow reader. Not a poor reader, mind you, but definitely a slow one. It takes me time to digest the things I read and when I rush, I don’t comprehend.
Most Bible charts are set up to require anywhere from 3-6 chapters of Bible reading per day. Depending on the subject matter or the length of the chapters, that was sometimes completely overwhelming for me. Even before I was a wife and a mom there were many days I found it very difficult to get through four or five chapters without skimming, WHICH IS NOT READING. And Lord forbid I miss a day and then had EIGHT chapters to read in order to catch up! Needless to say, I didn’t end up comprehending most of that reading.
It made it harder to spend adequate time in Bible study
It makes no sense to me to merely read over things I don’t understand in the Bible, or to ignore my own curiosity about a person, place, or even a word in the scripture that I could very easily study further. All of that is part of the process of learning from and applying the scripture to my life. If we can’t take the time to learn from what we’re reading, how can we have full understanding of the Bible and how can it really impact our lives?
When I was trying to get four or more chapters read every day, I was less inclined to stop and study something out when I had a question or an interest. Reading less per day gives me the time to check what a commentary has to say about a verse, to read it in multiple translations, or to look up a word in the original Greek and study every place it appears in scripture. When I can take the time to do those things, I can learn so much more.
It placed equal emphasis on Old Testament geneaologies and New Testament passages vital to Christian doctrine
Don’t get me wrong: I believe the scripture I quoted earlier, the first part of which says, “ALL scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable.” But there was something a little unbalanced to me about focusing the same amount of time on 1 Chronicles 9 as on Romans 5. Some areas of the Bible need more time from us than a once-a-year reading.
A couple of years ago I felt compelled to read the book of Romans not once, but over and over again until I lost count of the times I had read it consecutively. But I learned so much from focusing that time on a book that is cram-packed with essential Christian doctrine. I read in other places as well, but Romans was where I centered my attention and that time of study was wonderful for me. Had I been committed to a Read Your Bible Through in a Year plan, that might have been harder for me to do.
Reading, studying, and fully comprehending ONE chapter was better for me than skimming SIX
While I strongly encourage every Christian to read their Bibles as much and as often as they can, more may not always be better. Though I would never want to give someone an excuse for reading their Bibles less, if having to read four chapters makes you more inclined to not read at all, then obviously you’re better off reading less.
I’m amazed sometimes at the lifelong Christians I know who have never developed a daily habit of Bible reading. To me, it makes far more sense to encourage them to read one chapter a day or even less, rather than push them toward four or five! Once the habit is developed, then the amount can be increased, but until then, I don’t think it’s wrong to start out small.
Hey Tanya,
A very catchy title, and some excellent points. Thanks for the reminder that following Christ is a relationship, and that there is freedom to connect differently–meaning not everyone has to read their Bible through each year. I love your balance of truth and grace. It's a good reminder for me, as this is a balance I hope to integrate into my life, all year long. Wishing you an incredible 2016!
Thank you so much, Jed. I do believe there are sometimes habits we hold to tightly, not necessarily because there is any kind of mandate in God's word, but because we're afraid to break with accepted tradition. But growth is the goal, and granting grace to those who learn differently (like me!) is important.
I wish you a wonderful 2016 as well. Thank you so much for reading and taking the time to comment!
Thanks Tanya,
Yes, I've been that place of holding on tightly to habits that are no-longer helpful too. I wonder if moving though this stage is a normal part of the spiritual growth process?
I really enjoyed your post, and thought I'd drop by again to let you know that I linked to it in a post containing a compilation of some of my favorite Bible reading wisdom: http://www.coffeeshopconversations.com/bible-study-wisdom/
Thanks again for the excellent insights!
It's definitely part of the growth process! Sometimes it's just a matter of taking a long, hard look at what we do and why we're doing it. And then finding what works better!
And thank you so very much for linking to my post. I'm flattered! And truly appreciative. 🙂
Visiting from Inspire Me Monday at Create With Joy.
Jesus said, "Faith without works is dead." Reading quantity over quality seems pretty much the same. What I mean by that is rushing to get through the entire Bible without understanding some of what you read will not do a body much good either.
Oh, and howdy from another Kentucky mama!
Here's my Inspire Me Monday post.
Nice to "meet" you, my fellow Kentuckian!
You're right…reading so we can say we've read is not at all the same as really allowing the word of God to penetrate our hearts and change us. If reading less helps me absorb it more, then less is definitely better.
Thank you so much for reading!
Hi Tanya,
I am visiting from Inspire Me Monday. I agree with you completely! Thank you for sharing this with everyone. It is a blessing to have someone speak freedom!
Blessings,
Selena
Thanks, Selena. I would never want Christians to feel like time in God's word is optional. We NEED it desperately, not because it earns us salvation or anything, but because it can reveal our sins and help mold us into His image and bring Him glory. But reading just to read doesn't do that. If I read and study 5 verses and am stirred and convicted and changed, there's no question that's better than 5 chapters that I skim over just to mark them off a chart.
Thanks for stopping by!
Tanya, I think you did an excellent job of showing us how God has led you to read the Bible. It was a well thought out post that will hopefully speak to many. My mom decided to spend her Bible time each morning just reading one subject line at a time in the Bible. Like you, she wanted to be sure she had time to digest everything she was reading. I always encourage folks to just keep reading. God is pleased with whatever amount it happens to be in a season.
I like the fact you mentioned "seasons", because throughout my life there have definitely been times in which I went at Bible reading and study in a different way depending on the stage of life I was in. Like you said, the important thing is to continue in our reading. Establishing that habit, no matter the form it takes, and sticking with it, means God is able to work on us throughout our lives and through each season to bring Him glory.
Thanks for reading today, Traci!
The first year that I started a Bible reading schedule, I went through it as quickly as possible. I knew that I was missing a lot, but I wanted, like most readers, to see how it ended 🙂 In subsequent years, I have enjoyed taking it more slowly. One year, I chose a book and read through it every month. One year, I tried to memorize a smaller book. It changes all the time. The Lord knows exactly how to speak to us through His Word. As long as we are seeking Him there, we can't really go wrong 🙂 Thanks for being bold and sharing your heart.
Thank you for reading, Amanda. I agree: We can never go wrong with spending time in God's word, no matter how we choose to read and study it. It will always benefit us!
Hi Tanya! This was my first visit to your blog and I so enjoyed my time here. I love your perspective and have to say I agree. I am glad that I did once participate in the one-year reading, but once was enough for me. I love being lead by the Spirit, able to focus on areas where I feel God is leading me. I found that when rushed, I sometimes read in a manner that was simply checking the box, rather than fully absorbing God's message.
I look forward to connecting more in the future!!
Blessings and smiles,
Lori
So glad you stopped by, Lori! I'm afraid I often fell into the same bad habit — check a box so I can say I've read the Bible for the day! Taking it more slowly and studying more intentionally has been such a good thing for me and helped me enjoy the Bible so very much.
Thank you so much for reading!
I read for subject. study a subject. like this month is love. so yup all over the Bible. to read chapters even slower then the 1 yr plan for me just doesn't work. I get so little after reading thru Bible many times that I get bored. but to do a study of subject I'm hooked for days even weeks or months at times to study it. I find the legalism of read a book and go on very, well, legalistic. glad you wrote this. but hope my comment helps someone out there not fell like many church people would have people feel. and its not that Bible is boring but my personality just doesn't handle read throw. I don't even read the same library book over and over because thats boring. the important thing is to stay in the Word!