HOW TO READ THROUGH THE BIBLE

As already indicated, this section of ccm.co.za focuses on reading the Bible, following our simple reading plan:


Don't make it too hard at the start – commit to yourself that you will read at least one chapter of the Bible every day. If you are able to read more on a given day, that's a bonus, but don't make it a rule. First get into the habit of reading at least one chapter a day.

Here's a few things to remember:
¤ We are not talking about studying the Bible — the focus is on simply reading the Bible, following the flow and getting to know the big picture of the history of God and humans.
¤ But that doesn't mean speed-reading just to finish! Read attentively, taking note of what you read, think about it.
¤ Where to start? That depends on you. I started my first time with the New Testament, Matthew 1, and kept on reading. To most people the New Testament is the better-known part of the Bible, easy to get into to start building a habit, so I suggest starting at Matthew 1. When you get to the end of the New Testament, start at the beginning of the Bible, Genesis 1, and from there just keep on, when you've finished the whole Bible, repeat,... You can do whatever you want. It's your programme. If you want to start at Genesis 1 right now, do it. But please start reading.


Why it works

It sounds so simple, but it really works, because:
· It is your own personal programme: you're not in a rush to finish a set number of chapters or portions every day. Even better, you can do it on your own, at a time that works for you.
· But it's also a structured approach – even if it's simple, it gives structure to your Bible reading process, and humans always function better within established structures!
· It's manageable: usually you don't need a lot of time to read one chapter.
· No guilt: if you fall behind, for whatever reason, you don't have to "catch up" with the programme, just pick up where you stopped.
· It works like reading any other book, from beginning to end. This brings a MASSIVE benefit: You get to see the flow of the narrative, not bits from all over the place.


Use the background material

The background notes are exactly that: notes to give you some background facts about the Bible book you are reading. Who wrote it? To whom? Why? What's the main message? All these things help to put what you read into a real life context, and might make it more interesting.

The notes are divided into chronological sections (generally following the accepted Protestant divisions), each with an introductory chapter, followed by a chapter per book in the section. Some sections were sub-divided for clarity and ease of use:

· The Pentateuch (Genesis-Deuteronomy): The Foundation
· The Old Testament Historical Books (Joshua-Esther): Israel's Story
· The Wisdom Literature (Job-Song of Songs): Life and Worship
· The Major Prophets (Isaiah-Daniel): God's Messengers Part 1
· The Minor Prophets (Hosea-Malachi): God's Messengers Part 2
· The Gospel History (Matthew-Acts): The Life of Christ and the Early Church
· The Epistles (Romans-Jude): Letters to the Church
· The Writings of John (1,2,3 John and Revelation): The Last (and Longest-living) Apostle's Last Writings.

Start with the section introduction to familiarise yourself with the specific section. Which books are included, where it fits into the whole Bible, why it is important.

Below each introduction are the notes for each book in that section, following a fixed layout:

The one-sentence summary at the beginning is your introduction, and the historical context tells you where you are in the grand scheme of Biblical history.
The synopsis gives you a bird's-eye view, and then follows a more descriptive overview. Use the overview as you go, or read it before reading the book, and then come back to it if you feel lost in the details.
If there is a biographical sketch of the author or a noteworthy character, read it carefully. Knowing the characters involved are always helpful when reading anything.
The major themes also offers you at least two options: You could read it first, and then be on the lookout for the themes as you read the book. Or you could first read the book and then go back and find the themes where they occur.
The key verse(s), with the initial summary, bookends your reading of that specific book. Memorise it if you wish.


Practical suggestions

Below are some practical suggestions, not iron rules... It's not meant to complicate your reading, but it might make it more effective.

· If possible, find a place where you can read without interruption. Sure, you could do it in front of the TV, but I guarantee you won't focus on what you're reading!
· Take a moment to calm down. You might not realise it, but most of us are constantly in rush mode. Even if you just close your eyes and take a few deep breaths. (The old masters of meditation called it "centering down".)
· Ask God to bless your reading – just a brief prayer, not your normal prayer time. (But if God lays something on your heart, pray about it.)
· Before you start the day's chapter, it's a good idea to scan back over a few previous chapters to establish continuity in what you read.
· Don't rush it. Remember in language classes in school, when you had to read something and write a short summary about it? Something similar – focused reading – but you don't have to write a summary!
· When you're finished with the day's reading, another moment of silence will be good.


Use every opportunity

If you find yourself with a bit of time during the day, perhaps waiting for an appointment or finishing something early, or on a taxi or train, why not read a bit more of the Bible? It's infinitely better than scrolling mindlessly through social media feeds, and it will definitely make you feel better.


Other resources

There are lots of resources available (print, e-books, web-sites) for getting more insight into the Bible and its historical setting — allow me to mention just one: David Pawson's "Unlocking The Bible". It is a hefty tome, just over 1,300 pages, but it is one of the best books about the Bible that I have ever read. It's the result of a lifetime of study, the work of a dedicated scholar, presented in everyday language. It really makes the Bible come alive – you might find it hard to stop once you've started!
 
The book is available in paperback or Kindle on Amazon Books
 
So, when are you starting?

(If you want to, let me know if you are joining the programme, by sending a mail to . It's also a way to commit to yourself that you're reading through the Bible!)

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