Bible reading advice

[college4christ81]

I am trying to read my bible on a more consistent basis but in the past everytime I try a reading plan I seem to fall behind and give up after awhile. I seem to get frustrated with my self if I miss one day of reading. But also I've tried it the other way of just reading whenever and it seems I forget or something. Any advice?

 

[LamorakDesGalis]

I understand, I've been through the same experiences. Having a reading plan is the better way to go for perfectionists like myself. A reading plan gives a target to shoot for. Having a target or goal spurs us on to read more than if we left it up to our mood.

The biggest problem is like you said, what if I get behind. Its not so much missing a reading that is the problem, its the expectations we place on ourselves. If we read 5 days out of 7, we think we are behind by 2 days and need to catch up. What I've done to combat that perfectionism is to reverse the perspective. Instead of seeing myself as behind by 2, I look at it the other way - I are now ahead by 5 days. Does God know I'm not perfect? Certainly. Does God care more about what I've read - the 5 days - more than the 2 days I've missed? Absolutely.

So what happens to the 2 "missing" days? I either
1) extend my reading plan out 2 more days, or
2) read a little extra here and there and eventually catch up.

Its really a focus on the completion of the plan rather than the timing of it. In all my years of Bible reading plans, I've never hit the original "time" target. But I've finished nearly all of my Bible reading plans. No one says you can't turn a one-year Bible reading program into 13 months or 15 months or even longer. The most important part is that you are actually reading the Bible.

By focusing on the progress toward completion, I give myself positives to continue with the reading plan without the pressure of guilt. Falling behind is relative - what I want to do is finish the race. I strive to read 7 days, but I'm not going to beat myself up for days I've missed. I've used this flexible plan approach to all my Bible reading for many years now, reading through multiple (English) Bible versions.

Also related to this is the approach to Scripture itself. If you want to read the Bible in a year, then that averages about 3-5 chapters a day. That even has missed days built into it. Are you wanting to get a broad overview or "bird's eye view" of the Bible or a Bible book? That means you will be reading at a faster clip, and multiple chapters at a time. Most people look at a book like Isaiah and see its a very long 66 chapters. I look at Isaiah and see it as a week of Bible reading - that is, I like to read it at 10 chapters a day. For many people, a 2 week reading at 5 chapters a day is a "doable" deal. Are you wanting to read Scripture carefully and take in the details? Then you will be reading fewer chapters more slowly, even taking time to stop to think and take notes. The reading plan might be 1 Peter for a month - that's only 5 chapters in 30 days, but the depth of knowledge you gain from slow reading the 5 chapters will be invaluable.

And another related issue is the moods obstacle. I'm a paradox - I absolutely love reading Scripture, but I quite often just don't feel like reading. But once I begin reading, then the obstacles go away and my love of reading Scripture is rekindled. Reading Scripture is kind of like exercise. Most of us are reluctant to start, but once we begin, something kicks in and we do it.

LDG

 

[college4christ81]

I understand, I've been through the same experiences. Having a reading plan is the better way to go for perfectionists like myself. A reading plan gives a target to shoot for. Having a target or goal spurs us on to read more than if we left it up to our mood.

The biggest problem is like you said, what if I get behind. Its not so much missing a reading that is the problem, its the expectations we place on ourselves. If we read 5 days out of 7, we think we are behind by 2 days and need to catch up. What I've done to combat that perfectionism is to reverse the perspective. Instead of seeing myself as behind by 2, I look at it the other way - I are now ahead by 5 days. Does God know I'm not perfect? Certainly. Does God care more about what I've read - the 5 days - more than the 2 days I've missed? Absolutely.

So what happens to the 2 "missing" days? I either
1) extend my reading plan out 2 more days, or
2) read a little extra here and there and eventually catch up.

Its really a focus on the completion of the plan rather than the timing of it. In all my years of Bible reading plans, I've never hit the original "time" target. But I've finished nearly all of my Bible reading plans. No one says you can't turn a one-year Bible reading program into 13 months or 15 months or even longer. The most important part is that you are actually reading the Bible.

By focusing on the progress toward completion, I give myself positives to continue with the reading plan without the pressure of guilt. Falling behind is relative - what I want to do is finish the race. I strive to read 7 days, but I'm not going to beat myself up for days I've missed. I've used this flexible plan approach to all my Bible reading for many years now, reading through multiple (English) Bible versions.

Also related to this is the approach to Scripture itself. If you want to read the Bible in a year, then that averages about 3-5 chapters a day. That even has missed days built into it. Are you wanting to get a broad overview or "bird's eye view" of the Bible or a Bible book? That means you will be reading at a faster clip, and multiple chapters at a time. Most people look at a book like Isaiah and see its a very long 66 chapters. I look at Isaiah and see it as a week of Bible reading - that is, I like to read it at 10 chapters a day. For many people, a 2 week reading at 5 chapters a day is a "doable" deal. Are you wanting to read Scripture carefully and take in the details? Then you will be reading fewer chapters more slowly, even taking time to stop to think and take notes. The reading plan might be 1 Peter for a month - that's only 5 chapters in 30 days, but the depth of knowledge you gain from slow reading the 5 chapters will be invaluable.

And another related issue is the moods obstacle. I'm a paradox - I absolutely love reading Scripture, but I quite often just don't feel like reading. But once I begin reading, then the obstacles go away and my love of reading Scripture is rekindled. Reading Scripture is kind of like exercise. Most of us are reluctant to start, but once we begin, something kicks in and we do it.

LDG

Well but the time thing for me is also that I will say ok at 1 Pm on Tuesday I will sit down and read. But then at 1 I don't really sit down and read. On the reverse I don't set any time and I have a hard time some what of sitting down and focusing. But what do you do in that area of like the time of day? Yeah you are right I am a bit of a perfectionist and it bothers me if I mess up my plan that I set for my self.

 

[LamorakDesGalis]

Well but the time thing for me is also that I will say ok at 1 Pm on Tuesday I will sit down and read. But then at 1 I don't really sit down and read. On the reverse I don't set any time and I have a hard time some what of sitting down and focusing. But what do you do in that area of like the time of day? Yeah you are right I am a bit of a perfectionist and it bothers me if I mess up my plan that I set for my self.

You might try and find out what the reasons are for not sitting down and reading at the specified time and place. There are all kinds of internal distractions and external interruptions that can sabotage Bible reading.

For devotions I have three "time ranges" per day - morning, afternoon, and evening. I don't have exact or "precise" start times - like 6:00am - partly because of my personality and partly because of all the unscheduled external interruptions. For weekdays, morning ranges between 6-7am, afternoon range from 11am-1pm, and evening is usually somewhere in the 7-11pm range. I basically tie the devotions to some of the rhythms and daily events in life: like waking up (morning), lunch (afternoon), or going to bed (evening). This is key for me: I may not "think" of doing devotions on its own. But if I aware of meals and sleeping - things I do everyday - devotions that are associated with them would naturally follow.

I also like to divide up my Bible reading per different times. In the mornings I'm usually pressed for time, so I just read a couple of Psalms and a passage/verse from Proverbs. For the afternoons I read 2-4 chapters in the NT and in the evening I have a longer period of time, so I read 5-10 chapters in the OT. At that pace I can usually read through 1-3 different versions a year.

While I like to have 3 devotions during the day, there are some periods where I need or want to simplify it to once a day. So then the 3 different times function as safety nets. If I oversleep in the morning, then I've got two more shots at it during the day. If the afternoon is not available, then there's the evening. And if the evening is taken up - then I've had a busy day and look forward to the morning. The bottom line is that I think Bible reading, like any other self-discipline, should be resilent instead of being rigid.


LDG

 

[Edial]

I am trying to read my bible on a more consistent basis but in the past everytime I try a reading plan I seem to fall behind and give up after awhile. I seem to get frustrated with my self if I miss one day of reading. But also I've tried it the other way of just reading whenever and it seems I forget or something. Any advice?

I read the Bible from cover to cover 2 times.

I know people that read it the same way over 40 times.

In the beginning I needed to "input data". Nothing fancy.

Currently I read the Bible almost daily, but from a research perspective, not just inputting data.

I take Greek or Hebrew words, search them out throughout the Bible and come up with a certain understanding on a topic.
I use the Strong's numbers for that.
One does not really need to know the original languages to study.

But I'll tell you something, if not for these forums or some teaching that I do, I probably would not approach the Bible as often as I currently do.

The software packages also help tremendously.
One searches the word and here are all the instances with the surrounding text.

But software packages vary.
It NEEDS to be user-friendly, or one just will abandon it.

... just sharing my thoughts.

Thanks,
Ed

 

[college4christ81]

You might try and find out what the reasons are for not sitting down and reading at the specified time and place. There are all kinds of internal distractions and external interruptions that can sabotage Bible reading.

For devotions I have three "time ranges" per day - morning, afternoon, and evening. I don't have exact or "precise" start times - like 6:00am - partly because of my personality and partly because of all the unscheduled external interruptions. For weekdays, morning ranges between 6-7am, afternoon range from 11am-1pm, and evening is usually somewhere in the 7-11pm range. I basically tie the devotions to some of the rhythms and daily events in life: like waking up (morning), lunch (afternoon), or going to bed (evening). This is key for me: I may not "think" of doing devotions on its own. But if I aware of meals and sleeping - things I do everyday - devotions that are associated with them would naturally follow.

I also like to divide up my Bible reading per different times. In the mornings I'm usually pressed for time, so I just read a couple of Psalms and a passage/verse from Proverbs. For the afternoons I read 2-4 chapters in the NT and in the evening I have a longer period of time, so I read 5-10 chapters in the OT. At that pace I can usually read through 1-3 different versions a year.

While I like to have 3 devotions during the day, there are some periods where I need or want to simplify it to once a day. So then the 3 different times function as safety nets. If I oversleep in the morning, then I've got two more shots at it during the day. If the afternoon is not available, then there's the evening. And if the evening is taken up - then I've had a busy day and look forward to the morning. The bottom line is that I think Bible reading, like any other self-discipline, should be resilent instead of being rigid.


LDG

Yeah I sorta know the reason's why, its just hard to overcome the things that hold me back. So thats why I thought I would see if anyone else has the same troubles and how they handle them. It seems you have alot or have had alot of the same trouble with reading the bible. I did find a bible reading plan that I am going to try and follow but if I do end up not staying close to the schedule I won't worry about it.

 

[college4christ81]

I read the Bible from cover to cover 2 times.

I know people that read it the same way over 40 times.

In the beginning I needed to "input data". Nothing fancy.

Currently I read the Bible almost daily, but from a research perspective, not just inputting data.

I take Greek or Hebrew words, search them out throughout the Bible and come up with a certain understanding on a topic.
I use the Strong's numbers for that.
One does not really need to know the original languages to study.

But I'll tell you something, if not for these forums or some teaching that I do, I probably would not approach the Bible as often as I currently do.

The software packages also help tremendously.
One searches the word and here are all the instances with the surrounding text.

But software packages vary.
It NEEDS to be user-friendly, or one just will abandon it.

... just sharing my thoughts.

Thanks,
Ed

I do agree that this forum has helped me to want to read my bible more.

 

[KimLCMS]

It can be really frustrating to try to keep up with a "read the Bible in a year" plan if you get discouraged by missing days. These are a couple of things I've done to help:
1. Start reading the Old testament from the back to the front. How many of us have read Genesis over and over and never gotten any further?! So start with Malachi and work your way back at your own pace.

2. Start by just reading a Proverb every day. There are 31 Proverbs so what ever the date is you read that Proverb. For example if it is February the 26th, you read the 26th Proverb. Don't worry if you miss a day, just keep reading as much as you can.

Kim

 

[Edial]

...
1. Start reading the Old testament from the back to the front. How many of us have read Genesis over and over and never gotten any further?! ...

... too many times.

 

[sunlover1]

Hi College4Christ!

Self discipline, yikes.
Not my strongsuit.

I have an idea you may like.
I carry my Bible with me 24/7
You can put one in a messenger bag
or buy a Franklin Electronic Bible
(small little thing, VERY cool)
This way, whenever you think about it
it's there for the asking.

Another thing to do might be to lighten up and let God lead your study.
Completely let go and let God for awhile and see if that isn't a more excellent way for you.
Might be, might not.


I pray sometimes for my kids too that God will make them thirst for His Word. You could do that.

All I got right now, it's late.


sunlover

 

[catwoman2]

How about a chapter of the NT a day? Put a NT in the bathroom and read it while you're "doing your job"!

 

[plmarquette]

when you burn out on straight reading , ask the Holy Spirit for a word and chase it ... look for 2-3 witnesses and context for the words given you ... cover quite a bit of ground and see things that you might not see other wise ...

Searches
1. love
[agape...love of God , starge family affection, phileo brotherly , friendship, eros - marriage , affection husband and wife] ... Peter do you agapo me ?

2. all things ...
Php 4.13 , Prov. 30.5 , 2 Corn 9.6-9 , Mat 19.26

3. koinea .. lord's supper , communion , fellowship, communicate , community, brethren
www.biblegateway.com

www.blueletterbible.com

Strongs or Creeds Concordances

 

[Kristos]

Sign up for a daily bible email.

http://www.goarch.org/listserv/

 

[TrevorL]

Greetings College4Christ81,

I like to set aside 15 minutes to read a chapter or two in the morning. I started on Psalm 1 at the beginning of the year and now up to Psalm 114. The psalms give a wide range of ideas, thoughts, feelings and gradually an interest is built up of trying to understand more of David's character, trials and love of the things of God. By also linking some of these psalms with David's history, eg Psalm 8 with David and Goliath, Psalm 34 with David in the cave, a better appreciation is reached. At other times a bit of general reading on these chapters help, and also listening to talks expounding some of these chapters.

What I am saying is that consistent reading is beneficial giving a gradual build up of understanding based upon an earnest seeking of a general framework and of filling out of detail. The same applies to any other section of Scripture, eg Life of the Lord, John's Gospel, Isaiah, Galatians, Acts etc. By establishing a few favourites first quickens understanding and interest.

Kind regards
Trevor

 

[Cribstyl]

I am trying to read my bible on a more consistent basis but in the past everytime I try a reading plan I seem to fall behind and give up after awhile. I seem to get frustrated with my self if I miss one day of reading. But also I've tried it the other way of just reading whenever and it seems I forget or something. Any advice?

Just live.....you'll do what you love and leave other things behind.

After Jesus was baptized of John the Baptiste,

Mat 4:1 Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. ​

Mat 4:2 And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred.​

Mat 4:3 And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. ​

Mat 4:4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.


If you're born again, (born of the spirit) your appetite and desire should lead you to the word of God.

If you dont eat of it often you can starve spiritually.


Online bibles have more options (versions, commentaries, translations)........You should get a bible with an outline of the content of each chapter and book. This help to follow a topic.

Luke....Acts....Romans...1Cor..1Peter...IIPeter...Hebrews...​

 

[TrevorL]

Greetings again College4Christ81,

Another help in understanding is to find OT passages that are quoted in the NT. This often helps to understand both the OT context and the NT context because these quotations give a Holy Spirit interpretation of the OT passage. A Bible with a centre margin helps, and a simple marking of the relevant reference in both OT and NT is a simple key to unlock many passages and this makes the reading more enjoyable and enlightening. This may seem tedious and unrewarding at first, but gradually this yields a benefit and awakens a desire to read and learn.

For example Psalm 118:22-23 and 26 are quoted in the NT and applied to Jesus showing that much of the Psalm is Messianic. We are able to share his thoughts as he faced his trials and suffering.
Psalm 118:6 is quoted in Hebrews 13:6 and applies the steadfastness of Jesus under trial to the believers who were about to face their own severe trials.
Another echo is Psalm 118:14 which uses the same terms as Exodus 15:2 and Isaiah 12:2. This shows that the deliverance from Egypt was only a pattern of the greater deliverance from sin, suffering and death accomplished in the death and resurrection of Jesus.

Just live.....you'll do what you love and leave other things behind. ....
If you're born again, (born of the spirit) your appetite and desire should lead you to the word of God.

I agree with this and other comments by Cribstyl in part, but I personally need to have my interest aroused, and can speak of many years of drifting without the motivation to open and enjoy the Word of God. I do not think that the Holy Spirit has taken over me in the sense that some claim, rather any change of heart and motivation to spiritual things has come by allowing the word to awaken and transform. Fruit and Fruit of the Spirit take many years, and all the product is of God. Fruit is not produced instantaneously. Some claim that they are "Spirit-filled". They may claim this, and they may have this, but it is not my experience. I need the word and the environment where the word is clearly and simply taught by wise and mature brethren.

Kind regards
Trevor

 

[mark kennedy]

I am trying to read my bible on a more consistent basis but in the past everytime I try a reading plan I seem to fall behind and give up after awhile. I seem to get frustrated with my self if I miss one day of reading. But also I've tried it the other way of just reading whenever and it seems I forget or something. Any advice?

First of all I would find a pocket Bible, one that you could read anytime you have a little spare time. If you want to read from Genesis to Revelations it might be a little bulky but you would be surprised how many times in your day you could take a couple of minutes and get a few chapters in. You really only need about 4 chapters a day to get through the entire Bible in a year. I would suggest skipping over things like the Levetical law, the Census in Numbers and basically anything that is of very little or no interest to you at this time. The wisdom literature is an ideal place to start, it is easily understood and it has a poetic quality.

I would suggest keeping a journal or a notebook of some kind. Just enter the date and which sections you read that day, if you miss a couple of days it's easier to pick up where you left off. Try to relate things you are reading in the Bible to things that are going on in your life. I can't tell you how to do that, it's something you will just have to learn as you go.

I hope that helps a little and if you are into doing a little more then just reading the Bible I can suggest a couple of good resources.

Type Esword and htmlbible into you trusty google search engine. There are two very good site for free study tools that are easy to use. Above all remember that it is the Holy Spirit who teaches us the meaning of Scripture so be in prayer about this.

Don't give up on it because you have a couple of setbacks, no one is holding you to an ironclad commitment. You need to make a Christian read the Bible about like you would have to make a baby drink milk. When you are hungry enough spiritually you will somehow manage to find the time.

Grace and peace,
Mark

 

[ContentInHim]

Keep trying - don't stop trying. Gradually it gets easier and easier to reserve time for reading.

Personally, I read it from start to finish. I read on average 10 chapters a day. I pray for illumination before I start reading and the Holy Spirit never fails to bring something wonderful to my attention. This includes answers to troubling questions - in areas of the Bible where one could not reasonably expect an answer! LOL!

Anyway, I agree that a pocket edition would be a good idea - many women I know do that and read while waiting - and who of us doesn't spend at least 30-60 minutes a day waiting on something!

God bless you in your efforts. It is so worthwhile!

 

[Bethshaya]

Yeah I sorta know the reason's why, its just hard to overcome the things that hold me back. So thats why I thought I would see if anyone else has the same troubles and how they handle them. It seems you have alot or have had alot of the same trouble with reading the bible. I did find a bible reading plan that I am going to try and follow but if I do end up not staying close to the schedule I won't worry about it.

My pastor once told a story of how he overcame this same problem.

It was a Spirit over flesh problem. The Spirit wanted to read..it needed to read. He had a compulsion to read. But the flesh would do whatever it could to take him away from it. Pastor knew what was going on. Good things were going to come from his readings. Things the devil did not want him understanding and reading. The more he could get him distracted and not reading, the more he could do to him unaware.

So pastor began reading the bible at the beginning for 15 minutes...STANDING on the rim of the bathtub. He had to focus on what he was doing and purposefully read. He recited promises from the bible about faith and overcoming flesh and temptation.

Once he did that for a week, he had no problems focusing on his regular bible study any more.

There are lots of ways to get the bible in during the day that don't require reading it. I know I am one of those women who read while waiting. I loaded the bible on my PocketPC (Palm pilot) and then I have it no matter where I am. I have devotionals and other material to read as well as MP3s of bible teachings. I carry both my MP3 player and PDA with me wherever I go. I spend all day long at work in the Word with either the bible itself, or sermons I have downloaded. I may not be reading it, but I am hearing it and faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.

 

[Bethshaya]

How about a chapter of the NT a day? Put a NT in the bathroom and read it while you're "doing your job"!

Oh my! I do that and was always too embarrassed to say it!

As a Mom, there are only two places I get real quiet time...in the bathroom, and while doing dishes (Everyone seems to run after diner and leave me with the dishes..no one checks back to see if I need help until the last dish goes in the cupboard).

So its either reading in the bathroom, or listening to Praise and Worship while doing the dishes. Such goes the life of a Mary living in a Martha World.