How to read the Old Testament

lenpettis74 · Mar 13, 2009

I am looking for some feedback. I am currently doing a "Read thru the Bible in a Year" program which has the reader basically start at Genesis 1:1 and read in order. (For the record, I have read and studied the New Testament fairly thoroughly). I am finding this reading task to be very arduous to say the least. So far I have made it to 1 Chronicles and I am having a hard time thus far understanding why I am reading it (other than the obvious reasons). I find myself becoming distracted easily despite prayer, and getting very frustrated.

My question is this: is there a better reading plan? When I first tackled the NT I started a reading plan that had me start with John, then go to Romans, than Acts, then Matt, Mark, Luke, and the rest basically in order from 1 Corinthians to Revelation. Does anyone know of a similar reading plan for the OT. I really don't want to be one of those Christians who doesn't fully understand the bible, but I find that unless in small group study, there is kind of a lot that goes over my head during individual study due to frustration. I have given up on the OT a few times already after having read some of Psalms, Proverbs, Job, and Daniel. I really want to finish, but not just for the sake of saying I did it, I want to get something out of it too.

Any help would be GREATLY appreciated. :doh:

wildboar · Mar 13, 2009

I've done various read through the Bible in a year things before but my favorite so far has been the following: http://www.lcms.org/graphics/assets/media/Worship/DLectfolio.pdf

It covers almost all of the New Testament and about a third of the Old Testament. If you do the read thru the Bible in one year Bible thing I find it really helpful to continually ask myself what the passage is saying about Christ. Jesus said that all of Scripture is about Him. So if we miss Him in the Scriptures then we miss the point.

cyberlizard · Mar 14, 2009

i tend to focus on the Torah and use a classical jewish reading schedule which more than likely would have been used by Jesus himself, and the apostles, disciples and everyone else (at least during the early days of the church). It was initiated by Ezra and Nehemiah and carried on ever since...

a classical reading schedule can be downloaded from Torah Portions. The passage is read for the week up until shabbat when the reading changes. For example, from 8th March to 14th March, the reading would be Parasha 'Ki Tassa', which runs from Ex.30v11 to 34v35, with the prophets being read at 1 Kings 18v1-39.

There are a number of new testament passages which should this process being practiced but I am sure no one want to be that bored by having them pointed out to them.

Steve

Celticflower · Mar 14, 2009

I like using a Chronological Bible to read the OT. It cuts out a lot of repetitions and puts the prophets within the historical timeframe.

ebia · Mar 14, 2009

lenpettis74 said:
I am looking for some feedback. I am currently doing a "Read thru the Bible in a Year" program which has the reader basically start at Genesis 1:1 and read in order. (For the record, I have read and studied the New Testament fairly thoroughly). I am finding this reading task to be very arduous to say the least. So far I have made it to 1 Chronicles and I am having a hard time thus far understanding why I am reading it (other than the obvious reasons). I find myself becoming distracted easily despite prayer, and getting very frustrated.

My question is this: is there a better reading plan? When I first tackled the NT I started a reading plan that had me start with John, then go to Romans, than Acts, then Matt, Mark, Luke, and the rest basically in order from 1 Corinthians to Revelation. Does anyone know of a similar reading plan for the OT. I really don't want to be one of those Christians who doesn't fully understand the bible, but I find that unless in small group study, there is kind of a lot that goes over my head during individual study due to frustration. I have given up on the OT a few times already after having read some of Psalms, Proverbs, Job, and Daniel. I really want to finish, but not just for the sake of saying I did it, I want to get something out of it too.

Any help would be GREATLY appreciated.

I think one does want to read the narrative bits in their chronological order, so Genesis-Nehimiah. Ideally one would read each of the prophets at the point they come in that story. I would use the psalms for prayer while you are doing it rather than reading them straight through as a book - maybe including particularly connected ones like Psalm 8 with Genesis 1.

And take the 'boring' bits at a run. Get up some momentum and just keep reading through them fairly rapidly.

Siyha · Mar 19, 2009

ebia said:
I think one does want to read the narrative bits in their chronological order, so Genesis-Nehimiah. Ideally one would read each of the prophets at the point they come in that story. I would use the psalms for prayer while you are doing it rather than reading them straight through as a book - maybe including particularly connected ones like Psalm 8 with Genesis 1.

And take the 'boring' bits at a run. Get up some momentum and just keep reading through them fairly rapidly.

I always found Psalms and Proberbs the hardest to get through when trying to read through the OT, this is a great idea to break em up and use them for prayer and meditation while doing the rest.

JHM · Mar 22, 2009

I first read the Revised Standard Version cover to cover, then coming to the conclusion that someone, a very long time ago, knew far more about the future than any human being had any business knowing, I read it cover to cover again, (The second time being the Jerusalem Bible), taking notes on topics. i.e. all references to Urim & Thummim, all references to Babylon, all references to Giants, all references to earthquakes, all references to Darkness in daytime, all references to election of Israel, etc. I then started reading it a third time cover to cover comparing 7 different versions checking to see if one version might be more accurate than others in any given passage.

Re your question : Yes I found certain parts, (for me Kings and Chronicles), to be very boring. But there was a lesson to be learned from them : When Israel turned away from their GOD, things went sour for them. When they turned to GOD things went well.

wildboar · Mar 22, 2009

In the ancient Christian church there was a period of time where you could not even serve as a minister if you did not have the book of Psalms memorized. There are a number of wonderful resources available for chanting the Psalms and I found that this really helps me remember and focus what I'm reading and it really helps my kids pay attention. The Treasury of Daily Prayer uses the ESV and has a section with all 150 Psalms pointed for chanting. The Brotherhood Prayerbook uses the KJV and has mp3 files so you can hear what they sound like. There are actually quite a few different versions of the Psalms pointed for chanting.

lenpettis74 · Mar 22, 2009

Thanks to all who've contributed. I am excited to look on the OT with fresh eyes!

arkana · Mar 26, 2009

wildboar said:
Jesus said that all of Scripture is about Him.

Hello wildboar,
I am not allowed to send you a private message because
I only posted 8 times? strange...

anyways, I was curious to know where in the Bible does
Jesus say that all scripture is about him?
I would appreciate your answer.

wildboar · Mar 26, 2009

arkana said:
anyways, I was curious to know where in the Bible does
Jesus say that all scripture is about him?
I would appreciate your answer.

It actually says this in a few places.

And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself...And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me (Luke 24:27,44)

Had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me. But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words? (John 5:46,47)

Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me (John 5:39)

Also Paul refers to the Scriptures themselves by calling them the Word of Christ:

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom,singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. (Col. 3:16)

arkana · Mar 26, 2009

it sounds like Jesus is mentioning his place in scriptures
(as to people not to doubt who he is)
not nescisarily that scripture is all about him.

Also we can't take the word of Paul as the words of Jesus,
saying Jesus said something when it was another person who said it.

Just trying to understand.

AbsolutelyNumb · Apr 14, 2009

I've found this to be an effective way to read the Bible. It's put in chronological order as the books were written, and it mixes things up a bit (this will help to keep your head from "swimming."

Couple of points when reading the Bible: the Bible is the Living Word and the Living Word is Jesus Christ. The Bible tells us that Christ always spoke in parables, Matthew 13:34, "All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; and without a parable spake he not unto them:" A parable is an earthly message with a heavenly meaning. In other words, the Bible is a spiritual book and should not just be viewed in a historical/grammatical sense. We should always strive, with the LORD's help, to find the spiritual meaning.

I hope this helps. I am restricted from pointing you to web site links, and so I will simply suggest that you look for Family Stations, Inc., out of Oakland, CA. Their only focus is the study of the Bible and spreading the Gospel. They broadcast in 40 different languages throughout the world and they are on the Net.

May the LORD richly bless you...

[FONT=&quot]THROUGH THE BIBLE
IN A YEAR[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet,
and a light unto my path"[/FONT][FONT=&quot] (Psalm 119:105)[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot] This is a suggested guide for reading the Bible through in a year. The order in which the schedule lists the books is not the order in which they occur in the Bible, but is a chronological arrangement. Family Radio hopes you will gain new insights into the Word of God as you read it in the order of its events.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]

[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]MARCH[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot] 1[/FONT][FONT=&quot]/Deuteronomy 4-6
2/Deuteronomy 7-9
3/Deuteronomy 10-12
4/Deuteronomy 13-16
5/Deuteronomy 17-19
6/Deuteronomy 20-22
7/Deuteronomy 23-25
8/Deuteronomy 26-28
9/Deuteronomy 29-31
10/Deuteronomy 32-34
11/Joshua 1-3
12/Joshua 4-6
13/Joshua 7-9
14/Joshua 10-12
15/Joshua 13-15
16/Joshua 16-18
17/Joshua 19-21
18/Joshua 22- 24
19/Judges 1-4
20/Judges 5-8
21/Judges 9-12
22/Judges 13-15
23/Judges 16-18
24/Judges 19-21
25/Ruth 1-4
26/1 Samuel 1-3
27/1 Samuel 4-7
28/1 Samuel 8-10
29/1 Samuel 11-13
30/1 Samuel 14-16
31/1 Samuel 17-20[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]APRIL[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot] 1[/FONT][FONT=&quot]/1 Samuel 21-24
2/1 Samuel 25-28
3/1 Samuel 29-31
4/2 Samuel 1-4
5/2 Samuel 5-8
6/2 Samuel 9-12
7/2 Samuel 13-15
8/2 Samuel 16-18
9/2 Samuel 19-21
10/2 Samuel 22-24
11/Psalms 1-3 [/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]

[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]
12/Psalms 4-6
13/Psalms 7-9
14/Psalms 10-12
15/Psalms 13-15
16/Psalms 16-18
17/Psalms 19-21
18/Psalms 22-24
19/Psalms 25-27
20/Psalms 28-30
21/Psalms 31-33
22/Psalms 34-36
23/Psalms 37-39
24/Psalms 40-42
25/Psalms 43-45
26/Psalms 46-48
27/Psalms 49-51
28/Psalms 52-54
29/Psalms 55-57
30/Psalms 58-60[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]MAY[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot] 1[/FONT][FONT=&quot]/Psalms 61-63
2/Psalms 64-66
3/Psalms 67-69
4/Psalms 70-72
5/Psalms 73-75
6/Psalms 76-78
7/Psalms 79-81
8/Psalms 82-84
9/Psalms 85-87
10/Psalms 88-90
11/Psalms 91-93
12/Psalms 94-96
13/Psalms 97-99
14/Psalms 100-102
15/Psalms 103-105
16/Psalms 106-108
17/Psalms 109-111
18/Psalms 112-114
19/Psalms 115-118
20/Psalm 119
21/Psalms 120-123
22/Psalms 124-126
23/Psalms 127-129
24/Psalms 130-132
25/Psalms 133-135
26/Psalms 136-138
27/Psalms 139-141 [/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]JANUARY[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot] 1[/FONT][FONT=&quot]/Genesis 1, 2
2/Genesis 3-5
3/Genesis 6-9
4/Genesis 10, 11
5/Genesis 12-15
6/Genesis 16-19
7/Genesis 20-22
8/Genesis 23-26
9/Genesis 27-29
10/Genesis 30-32
11/Genesis 33-36
12/Genesis 37-39
13/Genesis 40-42
14/Genesis 43-46
15/Genesis 47-50
16/Job 1-4
17/Job 5-7
18/Job 8-10
19/Job 11-13
20/Job 14-17
21/Job 18-20
22/Job 21-24
23/Job 25-27
24/Job 28-31
25/Job 32-34
26/Job 35-37
27/Job 38-42
28/Exodus 1-4
29/Exodus 5-7
30/Exodus 8-10
31/Exodus 11-13 [/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]

[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]FEBRUARY[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot] 1[/FONT][FONT=&quot]/Exodus 14-17
2/Exodus 18-20
3/Exodus 21-24
4/Exodus 25-27
5/Exodus 28-31
6/Exodus 32-34
7/Exodus 35-37
8/Exodus 38-40
9/Leviticus 1-4
10/Leviticus 5-7
11/Leviticus 8-10
12/Leviticus 11-13
13/Leviticus 14-16
14/Leviticus 17-19
15/Leviticus 20-23
16/Leviticus 24-27
17/Numbers 1-3
18/Numbers 4-6
19/Numbers 7-10
20/Numbers 11-14
21/Numbers 15-17
22/Numbers 18-20
23/Numbers 21-24
24/Numbers 25-27
25/Numbers 28-30
26/Numbers 31-33
27/Numbers 34-36
28/Deuteronomy 1-3

[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]28[/FONT][FONT=&quot]/Psalms 142-144
29/Psalms 145-147
30/Psalms 148-150
31/1 Kings 1-4[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]JUNE[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot] 1[/FONT][FONT=&quot]/Proverbs 1-3
2/Proverbs 4-7
3/Proverbs 8-11
4/Proverbs 12-14
5/Proverbs 15-18
6/Proverbs 19-21
7/Proverbs 22-24
8/Proverbs 25-28
9/Proverbs 29-31
10/Ecclesiastes 1-3
11/Ecclesiastes 4-6
12/Ecclesiastes 7-9
13/Ecclesiastes 10-12
14/Songs 1-4
15/Songs 5-8
16/1 Kings 5-7
17/1 Kings 8-10
18/1 Kings 11-13
19/1 Kings 14-16
20/1 Kings 17-19
21/1 Kings 20-22
22/2 Kings 1-3
23/2 Kings 4-6
24/2 Kings 7-10
25/2 Kings 11-14:20
26/Joel 1-3
27/2 Kings 14:21-25
Jonah 1-4
28/2 Kings 14:26-29
Amos 1-3
29/Amos 4-6
30/Amos 7-9[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]JULY[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot] 1[/FONT][FONT=&quot]/2 Kings 15-17
2/Hosea 1-4
3/Hosea 5-7
4/Hosea 8-10 [/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]

[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot] 5[/FONT][FONT=&quot]/Hosea
6/2 Kings 18,19
7/Isaiah 1-3
8/Isaiah 4-6
9/Isaiah 7-9
10/Isaiah 10-12
11/Isaiah 13-15
12/Isaiah 16-18
13/Isaiah 19-21
14/Isaiah 22-24
15/Isaiah 25-27
16/Isaiah 28-30
17/Isaiah 31-33
18/Isaiah 34-36
19/Isaiah 37-39
20/Isaiah 40-42
21/Isaiah 43-45
22/Isaiah 46-48
23/Isaiah 49-51
24/Isaiah 52-54
25/Isaiah 55-57
26/Isaiah 58-60
27/Isaiah 61-63
28/Isaiah 64-66
29/Micah 1-4
30/Micah 5-7
31/Nahum 1-3[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]AUGUST[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot] 1[/FONT][FONT=&quot]/2 Kings 20, 21
2/Zephaniah 1-3
3/Habakkuk 1-3
4/2 Kings 22-25
5/Obadiah
Jeremiah 1, 2
6/Jeremiah 3-5
7/Jeremiah 6-8
8/Jeremiah 9-12
9/Jeremiah 13-16
10/Jeremiah 17-20
11/Jeremiah 21-23
12/Jeremiah 24-26
13/Jeremiah 27-29
14/Jeremiah 30-32
15/Jeremiah 33-36
16/Jeremiah 37-39
17/Jeremiah 40-42
18/Jeremiah 43-46 [/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]

[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]19[/FONT][FONT=&quot]/Jeremiah 47-49
20/Jeremiah 50-52
21/Lamentations 1-5
22/1 Chronicles 1-3
23/1 Chronicles 4-6
24/1 Chronicles 7-9
25/1 Chronicles 10-13
26/1 Chronicles 14-16
27/1 Chronicles 17-19
28/1 Chronicles 20-23
29/1 Chronicles 24-26
30/1 Chronicles 27-29
31/2 Chronicles 1-3[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]SEPTEMBER[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot] 1[/FONT][FONT=&quot]/2 Chronicles 4-6
2/2 Chronicles 7-9
3/2 Chronicles 10-13
4/2 Chronicles 14-16
5/2 Chronicles 17-19
6/2 Chronicles 20-22
7/2 Chronicles 23-25
8/2 Chronicles 26-29
9/2 Chronicles 30-32
10/2 Chronicles 33-36
11/Ezekiel 1-3
12/Ezekiel 4-7
13/Ezekiel 8-11
14/Ezekiel 12-14
15/Ezekiel 15-18
16/Ezekiel 19-21
17/Ezekiel 22-24
18/Ezekiel 25-27
19/Ezekiel 28-30
20/Ezekiel 31-33
21/Ezekiel 34-36
22/Ezekiel 37-39
23/Ezekiel 40-42
24/Ezekiel 43-45
25/Ezekiel 46-48
26/Daniel 1-3
27/Daniel 4-6
28/Daniel 7-9
29/Daniel 10-12
30/Esther 1-3

[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]

[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]OCTOBER[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot] 1[/FONT][FONT=&quot]/Esther 4-7
2/Esther 8-10
3/Ezra 1-4
4/Haggai 1, 2
Zechariah 1, 2
5/Zechariah 3-6
6/Zechariah 7-10
7/Zechariah 11-14
8/Ezra 5-7
9/Ezra 8-10
10/Nehemiah 1-3
11/Nehemiah 4-6
12/Nehemiah 7-9
13/Nehemiah 10-13
14/Malachi 1-4
15/Matthew 1-4
16/Matthew 5-7
17/Matthew 8-11
18/Matthew 12-15
19/Matthew 16-19
20/Matthew 20-22
21/Matthew 23-25
22/Matthew 26-28
23/Mark 1-3
24/Mark 4-6
25/Mark 7-10
26/Mark 11-13
27/Mark 14-16
28/Luke 1-3
29/Luke 4-6
30/Luke 7-9
31/Luke 10-13[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]NOVEMBER[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot] 1[/FONT][FONT=&quot]/Luke 14-17
2/Luke 18-21
3/Luke 22-24
4/John 1-3
5/John 4-6
6/John 7-10
7/John 11-13
8/John 14-17
9/John 18-21
10/Acts 1, 2 [/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]11[/FONT][FONT=&quot]/Acts 3-5
12/Acts 6-9
13/Acts 10-12
14/Acts 13, 14
15/James 1, 2
16/James 3-5
17/Galatians 1-3
18/Galatians 4-6
19/Acts 15-18:11
20/1 Thessalonians 1-5
21/2 Thessalonians 1-3
Acts 18:12-19:10
22/1 Corinthians 1-4
23/1 Corinthians 5-8
24/1 Corinthians 9-12
25/1 Corinthians 13-16
26/Acts 19:11-20:1
2 Corinthians 1-3
27/2 Corinthians 4-6
28/2 Corinthians 7-9
29/2 Corinthians 10-13
30/Acts 20:2
Romans 1-4[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]DECEMBER[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot] 1[/FONT][FONT=&quot]/Romans 5-8
2/Romans 9-11[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]

[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot] 3[/FONT][FONT=&quot]/Romans 12-16
4/Acts 20:3-22
5/Acts 23-25
6/Acts 26-28
7/Ephesians 1-3
8/Ephesians 4-6
9/Philippians 1-4
10/Colossians 1-4
11/Hebrews 1-4
12/Hebrews 5-7
13/Hebrews 8-10
14/Hebrews 11-13
15/Philemon
1 Peter 1, 2
16/1 Peter 3-5
17/2 Peter 1-3
18/1 Timothy 1-3
19/1 Timothy 4-6
20/Titus 1-3
21/2 Timothy 1-4
22/1 John 1, 2
23/1 John 3-5
24/2 John, 3 John, Jude
25/Revelation 1-3
26/Revelation 4-6
27/Revelation 7-9
28/Revelation 10-12
29/Revelation 13-15
30/Revelation 16-18
31/Revelation 19-22[/FONT]

How to read the Old Testament

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