Reading the Bible in 6 Months

I did it !!!. I completed the bible in 6 Months. I found a 6- Month Inductive bible reading plan online, and I love it.

I have tried several plans ( 1 year, 2 years, Chronological, etc., name it ) with no complete success.

I mean, I would start those plans with energy and determination, and months after ( for one reason or the other ), I do not complete it. First, let me give some reasons why I think it has taken me such a long time to complete reading the bible at a single stretch.

1. Reading vs. Studying: Several times, my bible reading turned into bible study. I am reading that chapter and instead of moving to the next, I shout at the revelation and decide to "dwell" there. While a lot of people may argue that this was the best decision, this decision means you will certainly not complete the schedule for the day. Do this 3 more times a week, and you owe up to 20 chapters.

2. Owing Several Chapters: We have all been there. Due to some work overload or laziness ( There is no valid excuse for not reading the bible, but some of us are still growing ), we miss some days, and the schedule begins to pile up. I recall there was a year that because of exams, I owed close to 50 chapters. I picked a Saturday to clear it up. I gave up after a while.

3. The Pentateuch Wall: Genesis is interesting. Most people complete Genesis with no issues. The motivation is still strong. You are determined to complete the bible. Then you start Exodus. You manage to complete Exodus, and then you are hit with the long and 'Boring' details in Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy. Statistics say that the majority drop off here. I have dropped off in Numbers and Deuteronomy several times.

4. Laziness and Indiscipline: Actually, I think this was the biggest factor for me. The truth is that if we treat our academics the way we treat the bible, many of us will be university dropouts. It is "easier" to burn the night candle for your books than the bible ( My experience though ). This weakness was a challenge.

Now, lets talk about the 6 Months plan that I just completed. I am going to share some reasons why I think this plan worked for me.

1. Its 6 Months: 1 year is a long time to lose motivation and momentum. 6 Months reduces that risk, and I was right. By May, I discovered that my momentum and motivation were already down. However, understanding that I had only one month to propelled and gave me the drive to complete it.

2. 5 entries per week, 4 weeks per month: This plan has 20 entries for each month. This means that you have almost 10 or 11 days to catch up in a month if you miss some days. This was very helpful because I was still tempted to do some bible study. However, this also means that the plan is very intensive. The schedule gives an average of 10 or more chapters for each entry. I spend an average of 1 hour reading the bible for each entry.

3. One month to test-run the plan: I discovered this gold 2 years ago, and it has always worked for all my New Year resolutions: I test-run the New Year resolution in December. Yes, before the year starts. I followed the plan to read the entire New Testament in December. So I had an idea already of how intensive it was and was mentally prepared when the new year started.

4. I printed the plan and clipped it on my wall. Seeing the plan everyday in my room gave a constant reminder of the goal and commitment. Putting the plan up on my wall and ticking every completed section ( by placing a tick mark near it ) helped.
   

There is a big difference between bible reading and bible study.

Bible study is the goal. John talked about "That which we have handled". I believe it is in the study that the word becomes life in us and lights us up.

Bible reading is also important. I believe it gives a complete overview of the scriptures ( You see the big picture ) ( Breadth vs. Depth ). John talked about " That which we have heard." You might not remember much, but it leaves an imprint that is difficult to deny. Let me end with this: A man went to complain to his pastor that he was not understanding the bible he was reading. He was also finding it difficult to remember what he had read. He compared the experience to pouring water into a basket.

The pastor encouraged him to continue and be persistent. He continued his illustration: " You are right about pouring water into a basket. The basket might not be retaining water, but you will agree with me that the basket will be clean." While it may look like the efforts are not giving noticable results. It is adding to you positively.

You can download the plan using the link attached below.

6-Month-Bible-Reading-Plan.pdf

Download PDF • 190KB

@Farayola Praise: Farayola Praise is an analog design engineer who is trying to grow once again his once-loved passion for writing. When he is not designing integrated circuits (Chips), he is either writing codes (python), designing graphics, or spending time with God and Family. He is blessed with a lovely wife and a wonderful daughter. (farayolapraise@gmail.com) (7/5/2024)