This year I will attempt to keep a streak going alive that started in 2003. I am going to read my Bible in a year.
Every odd year I have read through the Bible in a year. My father reads the entire Bible through every year. He has done so since around the time he graduated from Michigan State University.
Freudian psychologists would attribute my reading plan to wanting to please my father, and to be like him. As flattering as that may be to my dear old dad, it misses the point.
Both of us read our Bible in its entirety because we believe that God gave us the Scriptures in order to know Him better. These sacred writings have been preserved over the millenia because they are invaluable.
One of the ways that they are invaluable is that they confront us. The Scriptures confront our view on the world and on life. The Bible constantly makes me re-evaluate my thoughts and actions.
Want some examples?
Genesis confronts my view of God. So often I want to put myself in the driver’s seat of life, with God being some sort of cosmic karma genie who blesses me if I am “good.” But the narrative of Genesis shows God as a mighty, creative, and sovereign God who artistically weaves and crafts history- despite the sins of humanity. He is the One who uses broken and unworthy figures and creates nations out of them.
The accounts of the kings (1&2 Samuel, 1&2 Kings, 1&2 Chronicles) confronts my view of leadership. What makes someone a good ruler versus a king like the rest of the nations have?
Inside the minor prophets we have this magnificent call to repentance. And the more we look at what we are called to repent from, it is being unjust, un-compassionate, and selfish. God desires for his people to care more about justice and righteousness than sounding and looking good.
I hate, I despise your religious festivals;
Your assemblies are a stench to me.
Even though you brought me burnt offerings and grain offerings,
I will not accept them
Though you bring choice fellowship offerings,
I will have no regard for them.
Away with the noise of your songs!
I will not listen to the music of your harps.
But let justice roll on like a river,
Righteousness like a never ending stream!
Amos 5:21-24
In the Gospels I am confronted with a loving and compassionate God who cares so much that He walks this earth in human flesh. God becomes man that He might save mankind. If ever was there an example to confront our views of God, it is there! God is close! God cares! He is not far removed, but deeply invested in his creation.
The book of Acts shows me that there is no method or skill that will “convert all” or “grow the church exponentially.” What there is is this: truth. God mightily calls people to Him. For some, it is through direct confrontation like Saul on the Damascus Road. Others, it is through apologetics- like the Athenians. Some, it is through compassion- like when Paul told the jailer not to take his own life. And some will harden their hearts rather than accept God’s love and repent.
Revelation shows me that there is a cosmic battle being played out. There is the kingdom of God versus the kingdom of darkness. And God wins!
I could go on about so many more books of the Bible, but this blog is already growing too long for most. Leave a comment below with how God’s Word confronts you.
I will close with this. Do not grow discouraged if you start reading the Bible in a year then fall behind. Keep pressing forward. It is worth it. You are never too young or too old to do this. If you ever have questions about what you read, then ask a local pastor or comment on my blog.
Have a blessed day
Pastor Ben
deeplygrateful 
I’ve also made a goal to read the bible this year, but I’m not looking forward to Leviticus or Numbers. Any insights into why these books are important/how to make them more interesting?
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I congratulate you on your goal! My first piece of advice is to go into it with an open mind. Do not let any preconceived notions about these books cloud your mind. So often these books are typified as “rules” and we just ignore them.
Secondly, as far as the “rules” go, know that even that term carries a predisposition which is opposite to how we should view OT “law.” The word Torah means more along the line of “loving instruction/ guidance” than “law.” So, as you read these books, search for the heart of God in them, and how they would be loving guidance from him.
Finally, as you read these books, do so in view of the larger narrative swatches that they are to be placed. Think of Numbers during the time period of the Exodus. If you had to pass on a narrative to your children as they entered the promised land, how would you do it? Then, with Leviticus, the material may be very old, but it was likely put together during the return from Babylonian Exile. So, think of how you would, as a priest or parent, shape the heart of a nation (or your family!) in knowing who God is–in light of having lived in a pagan foreign nation for a generation or more.
Thanks for the question!
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Thanks! I’ll keep these things in mind once I get there.
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How is the read through going?
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May you be blessed with your reading
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Our church is encouraging people to follow a reading plan from heartlight.org this year, that will take us through the New Testament, Psalms, and Proverbs–a much smaller commitment than yours. I decided to keep notebook and pen nearby for thoughts, questions, etc. and have been surprised how much I write, even though the Bible is familiar to me. It NEVER grows old or stale, does it! Just this morning I read Luke 6. Verses 27-37 record jesus’ instructions about loving and blessing, doing good and giving, lending and being merciful–to our ENEMIES. God confronted me with my need to offer grace to those who are selfish, rude, greedy, etc. Thank you, Ben, for the godly wisdom of your post and for stopping by my blog, From the Inside Out. I pray you’ll find encouragement there, too, when you’re able to visit.
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How is your read through going? My last 2 posts might be of interest for those doing a read through.
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So far so good! I’ve already missed a couple of days (when our new granddaughter was born), but have been able to catch up. Thank you for the tip concerning your posts dealing with a read through of the Bible!
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Grandchildren can do that (or so I hear). Keep it up (and read some to the granddaughter 🙂 )
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Your blog inspired me to begin reading the bible in a year. I am reading the Chronological Bible and I am enjoying it. Every time I read the old stories of the bible, I am given a new perspective and see the story through new eyes. Thank you Ben for your blog and thank you God for the Bible.
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Oh my, how I needed you. That was a wonderful follow up from our sermon this morning, Only A Voice-Deuteronomy 4:12. I am reading through the Bible and on my second time through but not on a 1 year plan.
I’m so glad you found me, so I will be following you and sharing this on Facebook today. Here’s the link to our sermon.
tinysa.com/sermon/129171721256
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