How We Should Read Our Bibles
“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” (Heb. 4:12 NIV)
Sometime before Thanksgiving, a Facebook friend posted about her journey of reading through the Bible in chronological order, stating how awesome it had been to actually get through every book. She had a friend reading along with her for accountability. She learned new things from parts she had not read before, and stories and verses stood out to her in a new way. After reading her post, I decided to try it too.
First, I printed a reading plan that listed the books and chapters of the Bible to be read in chronological order. Then I showed it to my husband for some accountability. Little did I know that he must have needed this too, as he jumped on the bandwagon, announcing he would join me in my reading. We taped the plan inside a kitchen cupboard, which incidentally is the one we often leave open because we are those people who leave cupboards open. This basically provided a fairly constant reminder that we needed to keep up with the plan.
To be honest, I never actually intended to actually read the Bible. My plan was always to listen to it on audio, which has been the only reason I have read any books over the past years since my seven- and eight-year-old kiddos have begun school. Our homeschool life means I am mostly reading books to them, and I don’t have all that much quiet time to myself unless I get up while it is still dark outside.
I told my husband about my plan to listen on audio, and he decided to do the same. His twenty-minute commute to work gives him just the right amount of time to finish whatever is assigned that day. The hard part is that once you get through the first eight books of the Bible, there is much flip-flopping around among books. The audio Bible I had downloaded made this pretty challenging because neither the books nor chapters were listed out individually. I mentioned this to the hubs, but I think I miscommunicated how much of a challenge it was to find the correct spot in the reading (or should I say listening?).
I attempted to pull out my Bible and just try to read so that I could find the right spots more easily, but it was still a challenge because of the time I simply don’t have. The listening had been working so well for those first eight books. I mentioned this dilemma to the hubs again. Something clicked that time, and he ended up putting the audio Bible he was using onto my phone. What a difference! Each book was listed out, and under each book was each chapter. I could click into the exact place I needed. I had a little catching up to do by that point, but being able to listen while I went for a walk, washed dishes, or folded laundry was a huge gift.
Listening is more challenging than reading sometimes because I zone out or my to-do list reverberates in my head. One morning, I could not let go of the list of things that I had not yet written down, so I paused the audio Bible and rewound to where I would need to restart. After I wrote down the list of things to remember for that day, I returned to listening with a clear head. Giving the Lord and his Word my full attention is important. Figuring out how to do that is not always crystal clear, but it is OK to pause and figure out how I can improve my focus.
What I have learned so far in this process is that finding the right tools to help me tackle anything will help toward the goal. Listening is better than not reading at all. I can go back and listen again if I need to. I can catch up if I fall behind. God will use it all. He has spoken to me through this process both through his Word and through the process itself of figuring out how I can make it happen and give the Lord this time I desire to spend with him.
Thinking of the Bible as a friend feels like a good analogy. Sometimes I have lots of time and energy to chat over coffee and ruminate on life with that friend. Sometimes I have to do those things while we walk together and get our exercise in. Sometimes I have to fold the laundry while talking or listening. Sometimes I need to be creative and find new ways of making time for friendship and growth within that friendship.
I am so thankful for my friend’s Facebook post that day months ago. God used it to remind me that reading his Word is important for our relationship. Then he gave me the inspiration I needed to use the tools I have in order to make it happen. The bottom line is that I just had to figure it out, the same way I have to figure out how I am going to give time to other relationships.
So how can you read the Bible? Figure out what tools you need to make it happen in whatever season you are in and do that. Use the tools that make your time with God right for you. Don’t look at other people, comparing them to yourself. Look to them for inspiration maybe, but then move back to examining your own needs and what will work for you.
Figuring all this out might take a minute. Keep in mind that all relationships wax, wane, and change over time, and they need different things in different seasons. The constant flux of life requires our flexibility. But our good, good God wants us to know him, love him, and serve him, and digging into our Bibles in whatever ways we can will lead us closer to that end.
Lord, help us to find time for you. Grow our desire to know you more deeply, to be familiar with your word, and allow your story to change us for the better. Give us the resources we need so that the possibilities for spiritual growth cannot be missed or even looked over. Help us to remember your love for us and let that be the reason so see you more. Amen
Scripture for Reflection
“All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Tim. 3:16-17 NIV)
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing, and perfect will. (Rom. 12:2 NIV)
Reach for More
If any of the tools I wrote about in this post sparked an interest for you, make a note to check them out. Find an accountability person. Even if you are not discussing the reading, having someone to check in with about how the process is going is so helpful. We are past our New Year’s resolutions to read our Bibles, so this is a friendly reminder that we all might need to sit back and evaluate where we are with God and his Word and start afresh. Thankfully, his mercies are new every morning!
enjoys a crazy, beautiful life with her military husband, four sons, and a daughter. A baby interrupts her homeschool days in the best ways, and she is always attempting to live with mindfulness of each moment. She hopes to look at the world and each person in it in light of our amazing Creator, and therefore, to see each moment presented as an opportunity to love and serve him more. Carla relishes time to ponder God’s Word and have quiet moments with him and her coffee. She loves doing life with other mamas and encouraging them to simply be who God has made them to be.
Photograph © Benjamin Shurance, used with permission
