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When I first became a Christian forty years ago, I read the New Testament Matthew to Revelations several times. I did not do as well when attempting the whole Old Testament. Through the years, I did studies with other women that were topical or focused on one book of the Bible. When my husband got sick with cancer and then died, I think I mostly sought out comfort verses and did not have the deep study I used to have. Through all the struggle before and after his death, my "quiet time" was really random.
For some time now, I have felt like I could handle a more cohesive study of the Bible. I have the time. What I find though that in doing a topical study where I'm flipping through the Bible looking up tons of verses, I tend to walk away not remembering much of anything. My brain just doesn't hold onto things like it used to.
I wanted to read the Bible as a cohesive whole and I want to be able remember the things I have read, to carry the truth with me through the day. In the past, the Bible in a Year plan just didn't work for me. Nothing really sunk in. I was just kind of checking off that I had read the assigned verses.
I stumbled across a plan devised by John MacArthur that seems to be working for me. The plan will take three years to complete. It involves reading a section of the New Testament that takes about twenty minutes and reading that section for thirty days. Twenty minutes is about 7 or 8 Chapters. I started with reading 1 John for thirty days and then divided the book of John into three sections which took three months. I take notes and try to find verses to memorize. Sometimes I only read a couple of chapters in the chosen section, but the point is to stay with the material for 30 days. I am now in the book of Matthew. Every once in awhile I need a break and spend my time meditating on a Psalm and reading it out loud. It seems to be working for me. I'll let you know in three years if I got through the whole New Testament. Now I just need to come up with a plan for the Old Testament.
How about you? What does your Bible study and/or quiet time look like? What works for you? Let me know in the comments and leave your email address. I will choose five people to give a copy of Tracking the Taken Child to or a different older book if you have already read that one.
Sharon Dunn
My Bible reading plan is reading the Torah portions. There are other scriptures that I daily read. Thank you for sharing your reading plan.
ReplyDeleteinteresting.
DeleteThat's an interesting way to read the Bible, Sharon. Way back in 2006, a teacher challenged me to read through the Bible in chronological order--that year was her tenth time to read through the Bible. I took her challenge, and then repeated it every year for the past twenty years, only this year I'm reading it much slower so it'll take me more than a year to finish.
ReplyDeletethat's amazing.
DeleteThis is a great idea
ReplyDeleteI'm following the Bible plan through our church app, which I usually listen daily. This year the plan includes the chapter from Old Testament, New Testament, one Psalm, and couple verses from Proverbs. I'm actually enjoying it.
ReplyDeletekykla99ATgmailDOTcom
I like to do my Bible study and /or devotional study in the evening after evening prayer. It helps me wind down and put the day in perspective. cherierj(at)yahoo(dot)com
ReplyDeleteI found a version without chapter / verse markers. It tends to read more like a novel and whole context is easier to grasp because you don't automatically break your thought process when the chapter ends.
ReplyDeleteI think I have a Bible like that. It's called The Story. I might have to go find it on my bookshelf.
DeleteIn my quiet time, I just settle down with a good book.
ReplyDeletedianah7272@gmail.com
read a book
ReplyDeletebn100candg at hotmail dot com
For me, it was changing from the KJV to the NKJV, where I could understand it better works. I still go back to the KJV often just to see how it's worded. After bible study, my quiet time is reading a book from my TBR pile and then writing review on that book.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the chance to win one of your books!
2clowns at arkansas dot net
I love reading the Psalms in KJV
Deleteheatherlynnswanson@hotmail.com
ReplyDeleteA few years ago, I started a chronological Bible study with Jessica R Patch. Since then, I have continued with a daily Bible reading plan each year. I did one reading the Bible in a year, a New Testament reading in a year, and another chronological Bible in a year this year. I am also doing a New Testament daily reading with Jessie Gussman. Until the first one with Jessica, I had not gotten into a daily Bible reading habit. Now my day doesn't seem right if I miss it.
ReplyDeleteI already have Tracking the Taken Child. It is a great book!
I most recently used The Bible Recap with Tara-Leigh Cobble through the YouVersion app on my phone. Listening to it audibly in a different version has really helped me pay attention, instead of skimming over passages that are familiar. Tara-Leigh uses the ESV. Things that catch my attention make me go back to my KJV and study more. I really like that Tara-Leigh is able to explain what is going on in the Old Testament passages and help it makes sense, since there are so many cultural things that we miss because we don't understand the Jewish culture.
ReplyDeleteHeather Mitchell crhbmitchellfam@duck.com
I start my day reading my Bible. My husband and I started at the very beginning and read a chapter or two, we then discuss it. It's a slow process for me to understand the Old Testament, but it is helping me to have a deeper faith. ceedee1958@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your quiet time with bible studying. Mmm..I have yet to do any Bible study, but in times of loss or confusion, I find comfort and peace of mind in saying a few prayers. During my quiet time, I would listen to some soft and easy music or read a book. cwkuen(at)yahoo(dot)com
ReplyDeleteI was challenged by a lady in my church at least 20 years ago to read the Bible through in a year. I found there are lots of different plans. The ones I like best have a daily reading guide. If I miss a day, I catch up on the next day. I also like to read a Chronological Bible--which puts the books in order of when they were written. That makes the OT easier to understand for me. I also try to use a different translation every year. This year I am reading through from Genesis to Revelation, using an ESV Bible. Good luck on your reading plan.
ReplyDeleteI normally spend time in the morning before breakfast. Unfortunately, I am in the hospital. I also participate in First 5 Bible studies. I am doing a weekly Bible study by Max Lucado. Thank you for the opportunity. God bless you.
ReplyDeleteMy Bible Study has been working through Amos using Jennifer Rothchild's wonderful study - Amos - An Invitation to the Good Life & am loving it. I would highly recommend it.
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