I’ve learned to read the Bible. I read it practically every day–not motivated by guilt or a sense of duty. Rather, I enjoy consuming its valuable content.
The first time I committed to read through the Bible in a year, I completed it in 13 ½ months. I read it two more times in less than two years each.
Several years later, I found and implemented “The Don Finto Bible Reading Plan”. I shifted from pushing to read the Bible to complete it in a certain time frame to reading for the benefit of the content itself.
What I valued in this plan was the flexibility.
You don’t have to read a chapter a day from each section. You don’t have to read from all five sections in a day. You get to mix it up.
You could read five chapters one day, nothing the next day, and ten verses the third day. It allows you to find the sweet spot, fine tuned for what’s best for you. You could read more on weekdays and less on weekends; read a chapter in one section and a paragraph plus commentary in the next section, and a single verse in the third. You could slow down to ruminate in Proverbs and speed read the genealogies in Chronicles. If you knew you were going to have a really busy day, you could accommodate. Several free days? You could adjust.
Below is an example of how I do it. Adjust as needed.
My sections:
1. Romans to Revelation (repeat)
2. Matthew to Acts (repeat)
3. Job to Song of Solomon except Proverbs (repeat)
4. Genesis to Esther (repeat)
5. Isaiah to Malachi (repeat)
Proverbs:
6. Chapters 1-9 read in sections; Chapters 10-31 in verses.
Love (I do this 3 or 4 days a week.):
7. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (Read aloud by myself or with audio Bible.)
An example week:
- Monday – Ephesians 1:11-14 plus Tom Wright’s Paul for Everyone: The Prison Letters commentary; Matthew 24:29-35 plus Tom Wright’s Matthew for Everyone: Part 2 commentary; Psalm 79; Proverbs 10:27; and 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 read aloud.
- Tuesday – 2 Kings 25; Isaiah 47; Ephesians 1:15-23 plus commentary; and Proverbs 10:28.
- Wednesday – Matthew 24:36-44 plus commentary; Psalm 80; and Proverbs 10:28.
- Thursday – 1 Chronicles 1 (speed read); Isaiah 48; Ephesians 2:1-7 plus commentary; Proverbs 10:29; and 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 read aloud.
- Friday – Matthew 24:45-51 plus commentary and 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 read aloud.
- Saturday – Psalm 81; 1 Chronicles 2 (speed read); and Proverbs 10:30.
- Sunday – Skip day due to wacky schedule.
I urge you to read your Bible. I hope this guideline is useful. Enjoy the journey.
