Over ten years ago (starting in February 2006), I decided I would try to be more consistent in my reading of the Bible. One thing that helps me stay on track with that kind of thing is setting a goal and keeping a record. I set what I thought was a modest goal of just reading one chapter per day until I had read through the entire Bible three times and for each time I read through the whole Bible, I would try to read through the New Testament an additional two times for a total of three times through the Old Testament and nine times through the New Testament.
Today, I finished my third read through the Old Testament which leaves with three reads through the New Testament to complete my goal. I had been faithful both in reading and keeping track for quite awhile, but sometime last year I found myself reading more than one chapter per day. Actually, when I got to the Psalms, I generally read more than one chapter per day the whole time, but the amount of time I spend in the Bible now is surely more than double what I did previously.
The great thing about all this is that my level of enjoyment and benefit in reading has increased over time, too. I know a lot more about the entire flow of the Bible than I did when I started this. I highly recommend setting some goals and keeping a reading record for people with a mindset like my own (I am an engineer at the core of my vocational being). When I hit my goal, Lord willing, I hope to set some new goals, probably starting with a read through a couple additional translations (probably NASB and ESV). Then, I want to find a systematic way to do some topical studies.
The results of this effort are joy, a firmer grasp on a great, overarching plan set into motion by the God who has our best interests at heart even when we ourselves do not.
Update: Our friend David K. made some nice comments about this post and it dawned on me that I had not mentioned that my entire reading history for this goal has been in the KJV. I love the KJV and I cannot imagine a time when it will not be my favorite. That being said, after learning Spanish, the Reina Valera 1960 version of the Bible is way up there on my list of translations and has no need to apologize in any way to the KJV. Really, reading the Bible in Spanish has changed the way I think about translations of the Bible.
Great! Was just talking the other day about why we need the Bible, it truly is the greatest piece of literature that we have on earth. With over 130 million books on earth, its amazing to think of singling one collection of books (bible) as being more important than the rest 🙂 I used to be a little dogmatic about using the KJV only, but these past few years I have seen the wisdom in looking at different versions for a different angle or wording that might click with me better. The ESV, NIV, Bible in Basic English have all been helpful to me. Glad to hear you are reading while still young. Natural vision will one day be gone, but spiritual vision can just get clearer and clearer. (1 Corinthians 13:12 )
All the best,
David
David, I forgot about the BBE (Basic Bible English) in my eSword Bible program. I love that translation. I love your comments. I LOVE the KJV and it kind of hurts to think about going to another version, but after reading the Bible in Spanish for a little while, I realized that there is value in reading more than just one translation if the translation was done in good faith with best practices. I will absolutely go back to KJV after I do my reads through the other translations. It might be my culture and comfort zone to read the KJV, but that is not nothing.
Thanks for you comments!
I have been enjoying the NKJV. Thanks for your comments and encouagement!
Gene, that looks like another one I need to add to my list. I have heard good things about the NKJV.