It has been a goal of mine to read through the entire Bible. At this point, I have read most of it, but never all the way through from cover to cover. I have started many reading plans on my Bible app, and have studied out numerous chapters, but I have never started in Genesis and read through Revelation.

A couple of years ago, I saw my friend reading The Daily Bible. I was curious. I had been struggling with the various reading plans I was ‘using,’ so I decided to look into this further. What I found got me excited to start reading!

The Daily Bible

First, the entirety of this Bible is broken into 365 days of readings organized in chronological order.

There is some overlap of people and events in the Bible. That had been confusing, at times, as I was reading. The Daily Bible is organized in chronological order, so verses of books like Jeremiah and Ezekiel are presented at the same time as they fit into the sequence of events.

Second, F. LaGard Smith provides a commentary to begin each day’s readings or to provide background and context for different passages throughout the Bible.

To have a context for locations and events has proven invaluable in my understanding of the text. The details provided give enough backstory for the people and happenings to really help me engage with the Scriptures. Even though I had read most of the Bible previously, the timeline has really started coming together for me. I am now better able to see a more linear view of events and how everything is connected.

This is my year

So, full disclosure – I ordered The Daily Bible in September of 2017. I began reading then, but my back surgery prolonged my “official” start date a bit! So, I really started in January 2018.

Now, I know you’re going to ask me if I am starting my third read-through of the Bible.

Short answer – no.

But, this year, I will.

It hasn’t been as if I have been sitting on my couch doing nothing – I have been reading other Christian books. But, it hit me, that I really need to build my own foundation before (or at least alongside) reading the thoughts of others. After all, the Bible is God’s thoughts. His should be first in my mind.

What I learned, and am still learning…

So many things.

When I was younger, I used to look at the Bible as this tome of outdated, irrelevant details about people and places that had nothing to do with me. But, when I actually started reading the Bible, I saw that it really is the Living Word. And, now, as things have started coming together, and I have a better understanding, I’m excited to get into His Word every day and learn everything He wants me to.

So, a couple of weeks ago, a friend and I picked up The Daily Bible again. This year I will read through Revelation.

Your Thoughts?

Do you have a favorite Bible or reading plan? There are so many from which to choose (Thank God!). I’d love to hear about your plans for reading through the Bible. I can’t wait to hear from all of you!