Read the Bible!
We all know we need to. Pastors and leaders tell us, and materials and studies abound to help us. Yet we often find it difficult to actually read the Bible for ourselves. Maybe we get hung up on that pesky Leviticus.
Different resources provide plans to read through in a year. There are also dozens of these plans, each with a different focus, like to start with the Gospels or read straight through. Some people might get caught up in decision fatigue. Which one is best?
What is the best order to read the Bible?
First, we should make sure we have the right motivation.
Why Read the Bible in the First Place?
The Bible is more than a collection of ancient books. As the inspired written word of God, it transforms lives. Reading the Bible is crucial for learning about his character, will, and redemptive plan for all the world.
Paul writes in 2 Timothy 3:16-17 that “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” The Bible carries God’s authority to guide us in life. It reveals eternal truth which can provide hope and security in a world of brokenness and confusion. As Jesus prayed, “Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.” (John 17:17) God is the truth, and Jesus the word. The Spirit infused the Bible with the truth, exposing sin and revealing the right way to salvation.
From the truth, reading the Bible produces right living when we apply the teachings. Psalm 119:11 tells us, “I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” When our belief produces changed action, our transformed hearts give us the power to live according to what is good and right for all people.
As one main purpose, since it was inspired by the Word (Christ), it points us back to Jesus himself, the Savior of the World. Jesus addressed this with the Jews in John 5:39-40, “You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life.” Every single page of the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, points to the Father’s redemptive work through his Son by the Spirit.
Hearing God’s voice is essential to following him by the Spirit, day by day. Reading the Bible sharpens our ability to hear and focus on the Lord’s voice. When read humbly and seeking God, we experience his presence. Hebrews 4:12 reminds us that “the word of God is living and active, shaper than any two-edged sword.” Reading and meditating on Scripture convicts, corrects, and draws us closer to the Father.
Reading the Bible isn’t an obligation or an academic pursuit. It’s an invitation to know God better, grow in righteous living, and be changed into the likeness of Christ.
God’s word moves mountains and topples kingdoms. It’s a powerful thing. And yes, we can read it in the wrong way.
How Can We Read the Bible in the Wrong Way?
One way is to approach it as only an academic book. While studying its historical and cultural context has value, reducing Scripture to a collection of facts or literary analysis robs it of the power to transform and inspire. As 1 Corinthians 8:1 warns, “Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.” When we focus only on the intellectual understanding, we miss the relational and revelational nature of Scripture, by which we interact with God.
In a connected way, we misuse the Bible through having pride in our knowledge. Memorizing Scripture or studying theology can lead to arrogance if we forget its purpose, to meet with God and hear from him, which will humble us. The Pharisees provide an example of this problem. Though they knew the Scriptures better than most, their pride blinded them to Jesus, the very Messiah they read about. If reading the Bible inflates our ego rather than drawing us to Christ, we read it wrong.
Finally, we misuse the Bible when we read it but fail to respond in right action. James addresses this in James 1:22, “But be doers of the word, and not hears only, deceiving yourselves.” To separate the word from action results in living a lie. Truth must have a complete work, to correct and change us. When we ignore the call to obedience, we deny God’s authority through the Scripture to have dominion and love in our lives. For example, reading about love and forgiveness in Ephesians 4:32 but refusing to reconcile with others shows a heart rebelling against God. James expresses this as “faith without works is dead” (James 2:17).
The Bible warns us, as well, about the power of teaching. “Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.” (James 3:1) Teaching the word of truth in humility and by the Spirit leads to faith and revelation in others (Romans 10:17). We must handle such things with care, because abuses can also occur through bad doctrine and pride, and God will hold us accountable.
What are Different Approaches for How to Read the Bible?
Various reading plans appeal to different people and goals, helping us grow. Here are a few.
1. The book-by-book plan is the most common and straightforward, reading one book at a time starting with Genesis and ending with Revelation. This plan helps us work through the Bible. The Scripture is organized by genre and size, so this approach gives us insight into specific books and messages and somewhat lays them in context of the whole.
2. In a topical or thematic plan, we read around specific themes like prayer, forgiveness, or God’s promises. This works for people looking for guidance around personal issues or wanting to explore topics that keep popping up. For example, a study on love might have 1 Corinthians 12, John 15, and John 4, giving a broader view of God’s love. Some Bibles have these thematic elements within them, giving lessons on the topic (like God’s love) throughout the whole Scripture.
3. A one- or two-year plan breaks up the readings into daily readings. This can go straight through the Bible or perhaps include passages from the Old Testament, New Testament, Psalms, and Proverbs each day. For a two-year plan, we have a slower pace while still getting a larger portion to read each day. These plans benefit those seeking a more structured approach.
4. For beginners, a Gospels and Psalms plan could work, staying centered on Jesus’ life and teachings while encouraging worship while reading a psalm. On the other hand, an intense plan like the Bible in 90 days takes people through the Scripture in only three months. It’s challenging but provides a big picture view of the Bible.
Regardless of the plan, the ultimate goal remains the same: to grow closer to God, grow in faith, and live a changed life through faith and truth.
But the best way to read the Bible is chronologically.
Why is Chronological the Best Way?
A chronological plan reads the Bible in historical order. This plan weaves books like Job into Genesis and reads the Gospels in a harmony to present a more accurate timeline. This approach helps us to see God’s redemptive story unfold from creation to the final culmination in Revelation, seeing each book within the whole.
This order also helps us understand individual books within the larger context. For example, reading 1 and 2 Kings alongside the prophets Isaiah or Jeremiah reveals the historical situation and the correction and hope God provides for that moment. The warnings, calls to repent, and promises for future good can be explored while reading of Israel’s kingdom, the exile, and the return. The prophecies make more sense, and we guard against taking some scriptures out of context, which leads to bad doctrine and teaching. Good Bible reading and teaching first understands the author and who they wrote to and why before attempting to take principles to apply to modern day. Chronological helps with this.
Also, a chronological approach reveals consistent themes and the unfolding Messianic prophecies. From God’s promise to crush the serpent’s head in Genesis 3:15 to the more detailed oracles in Isaiah 53, we see the anticipation build unto the coming of Jesus. The genealogies in the Gospels connect directly to God’s promises to Abraham and David, confirming Christ fulfills centuries of prophecy. A more historical reading shows how God fulfills other promises, like the exile and promise to bring Israel back to Jerusalem.
By ending with the New Testament and Revelation, we see the full realization of God’s story, tying all of it together. In Revelation, God dwells with his people in a new heaven and earth, bringing the story full circle and giving us hope. When we see the Bible as God’s complete story, we also realize we’re in the middle of it, living God’s redemptive plan today in light of the miraculous past and promised future. We aren’t simply reading for daily encouragement, we’re part of something eternally epic, providing us with purpose and intimacy.
What are Other Practical Suggestions to Help Us Read the Bible?
Beyond choosing a reading plan, we can make several practical suggestions to enhance the whole experience, deepen our understanding, and keep us from quitting.
1. Read Consistently
Consistency is key. Set aside a regular time each day for reading, whether in the morning, during lunch, or before bed. This creates a habit and a rhythm to engage with God’s Word every day. Joshua 1:8 encourages us to meditate on God’s law “day and night” to live in wisdom. Even a short reading builds a foundation over time.
2. Don’t Skip “Boring” Parts
We’ve all given up when we get to Leviticus. It can be tempting to skip sections like the genealogies, laws, or describing parts of the Tabernacle or Temple. But even these parts can contain deep truths about God’s character and his work among people. For example, the lists of ancestors in Matthew 1 connect Jesus to the wider story through the Babylonian exile, God’s covenant with David, and Abraham. Detailed laws of Leviticus show us the seriousness of sin and living set part. We can read these passages like a mystery, asking God to show us deeper truths within them.
3. Read in Big Chunks
This is a big one, pun intended. Instead of only one or a few verses, read larger sections to grasp the bigger argument or narrative. Reading a whole chapter or book in one sitting gives us proper context to understand the flow of thought. We then avoid taking verses out of context, and this give us wisdom when other teachers share. For example, Romans 8 is amazing, but it concludes the six or seven chapters of Paul defending the Gospel.
4. Read in Community
Don’t read the Bible apart from community. We need the Body of Christ for deeper understanding and accountability. Joining a small group, Bible study, or even having one on one discussions with a friend gives us opportunities to share, ask questions, and wrestle with challenging passages. Like Proverbs 27:17 says, “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.”
Whether this year or soon, I highly encourage reading the Bible chronologically. The whole Bible opened up in a way I never expected, seeing God’s faithfulness, his plan, and my place within his mission and purpose. I pray the same for you this year.
Peace.
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