About a week ago, I completed reading the entire Bible in ninety days, thanks in large part to the fabulous YouVersion app on my iPhone. (YouVersion gives you a little badge every time you complete any reading plan, so this is a screen-shot of mine!)
Actually, I completed my reading in a little less than 90 days, but that’s just because I was trying to stay a day or two ahead to make up for those days I knew would make it hard for me to get a full day’s reading in.
This was the VERY FIRST TIME EVER for me to read the entire Bible all the way through. At some point I had probably read all of the Bible, but never in an intentional start-to-finish sort of way. I expected this to be a rather perfunctory exercise, just to be able to check a box and say I had finally read the whole Bible — but I was pleasantly surprised that I really got a lot out of reading the Bible this way!
How I benefited:
- I have now read every single verse in the Bible. Though I’ve been a Christian for years, it’s sad to say I may not have ever done that before now.
- I was able to get a better grasp of what happened when, even though this straight-through reading plan doesn’t always go chronologically.
- I got a better understanding of the idea and intent of each book of the Bible.
- Familiar verses took on new meaning as I read so much in one sitting; truly, this is how we get to know verses in context, which is the only way to really understand them as they were intended. So many times, verses are taken out of context and in the process, they are often twisted to what we want them to say, rather than what they really mean.
- I completed a personal goal I had failed at several times before.
- My daughters saw me reading my Bible every day.
- Sharing what I was learning prompted a few good discussions in our house.
Although I didn’t participate in a group with my B90Days reading (simply because I wanted to be done before school started), there are some great blog groups where you can find help and encouragement along the way! A new group started a few weeks ago, but you could jump in with them on the next go-round if you’d like. Or just get a friend or two to do it with you for accountability’s sake if you’d like!
Yes, this is a time commitment, but it’s very do-able in real life — and I’d HIGHLY recommend it!
Wife, mama, homeschooler, dog-wrangler. Introvert who finds joy in good books, sunshine, and authentic conversation. Fitness enthusiast and strength coach. Often seen with a steaming mug of tea in hand.
I am doing this right now and did it last summer too. I don’t have a cell phone so I don’t have an app, but I use Biblegateway.com. Over the summer they have it as a reading plan with that day’s reading coming up when you go to the page. It helps having what you’re supposed to read right there.
I had thought about trying to use this reading plan, but right now, I am using my chronological Bible and trying to get through it in a year. I am a little behind at the moment, but have high hopes of catching up! 🙂 Congratulations on accomplishing your goal!
Awesome job, Jamie! You are such an encouragement and inspiration. I think I am going to start a new thing with Braedon while the others nap…start at ten minutes of reading each day (individually) so I can get some reading in too and then work up the time. Even though he can’t read yet he can sit there with a book and look at it while I read. I think it will be good for him to see me *reading* anything especially the bible everyday. I am not sure yet if he “gets” that my phone is my bible so… Read more »
I’m inspired and challenged! Thank you!
Finding a plan to really jump into Scripture that works for you is awesome. When I found a plan to read 10 chapters a day, I was hooked. It works for me, and I have been more faithful to Bible reading than I ever was before.
Congrats on accomplishing your goal! I tried it back in Jan but didn’t make it past the first month because I had a newborn 🙂 I am trying again and am on day 23. Praying I make it this time! Thanks for the encouragement.
Congrats! I am currently reading through the Bible in 90 Days and am scheduled to finish October 11. The app sounds great, but I don’t the small screen would benefit my vision!
Love reading your blog (email subscriber)!
Ellen
This is a tough challenge!
Thanks for commenting on my post “No More Books”! Yes, it’s great to have a friend going along with challenge, however, I don’t know that she’s going to last. She sent me an email yesterday with a pic of a book she’s coveting! I’m doing a little better, I think. I passed by the books at Target the other day and after a brief longing, I passed them by and didn’t look back! Thanks for the idea!
Congrats, that is great! I’d love to do this. I took my first bible study last year about Ruth and it was awesome! It made me want to read more of the bible.
I was contemplating about reading the Bible for a while now. I question God , but am rather into Einstein philosophy – “It would be irrational to NOT believe in any form of higher existence, seeing all the perfection in universe”
I will read it as that will give me few clarifications.