Through the Bible in FIve Years

9:26 AM

Why does the Bible need to be read so quickly?  What's the hurry?

There seems to be an obsession in some believers about how many times, and how quickly, they can read the Bible. I have had people tell me that they have read the Bible a dozen times, or that they read the Bible annually, or that their church us encouraging people to read the Bible through in a year's time. 

I repeat--what's the hurry?

Reading the Bible quickly is not the same as reading it deeply.  Quick reading does not generally change lives.  Whenever we have a book which means a great deal to us,  we want to savor every word.  Great thoughts need to marinate for a while, so that they become part of our bones and flesh.  Quick readings have their use, but so do careful slow readings.  You can't fix a gourmet meal in a microwave; you can't grow an oak tree in double time;  you can't paint a masterpiece with a spray gun, and you can't fill up on great writing by rushing through it.

Mortimer Adler in his classic book How To Read a Book  suggests that a great book requires at least three readings--one to get the general structure, one for detailed comprehension, and one for  wording.   The same can be said for Bible study--we need to read it at least three times to  get the full effect.

Here are some suggestions to read the Bible in five years.

1. First, set off a set time and place daily for Bible study.  Start with at least fifteen minutes, but gradually increase to thirty or more.  Don't think that reading the Bible slowly is not goal oriented.  We need goals, which is why through-the-Bible-in-a-year programs are so popular. Your goal is different, however, when you read for comprehension. It isn't to cover pages but to comprehend ideas.
2. Second,  pre-study the Bible.  Pray first, of course. That is essential.  Then  read about the Bible book you are studying in a commentary or general survey,  so you have a general idea about what you are reading. It's helpful if you are going to read a book like Romans or Ephesians to know a little bit about Paul before you start. 
3. Third.  Read it like a newspaper, for the story.  Skim the whole thing at once, if possible.  If not, at least read the passage you are studying for overall meaning, following the natural form of the writing.  Psalms were written to be appreciated all at once; so were letters of Paul and oracles in the prophets.  The Gospels were written in pericopes, which could be monologues or stories.  Read them that way first.

4. Go back and read for comprehension. The second time you read through the passage stop and notice the details.  You will want to underline points and take notes, so get a Bible you don't mind marking.  Ask questions, get answers, until you have a good, solid knowledge of the passage at hand. Ask  - "What did this mean for the people to whom it was written?"
5.  Read for meaning.  Go back again, this time asking yourself, what it means today.  We can't just take the Bible and apply it directly today--otherwise, we would not be triming our beards, eating catfish, or wearing mixed cloth.  We have to ask "What does it mean for us today?"

6. Finally, read it devotionally.  Martin Luther was big on this idea.  He suggested we read it asking if there are any prayers to pray, examples to follow or avoid,  any praises to make, or attitudes we need to change. This is the slowest reading of them all.  Take your time, and prayerfully seek God to apply each verse to your life.

As I said, you can't do this in one year, unless you have all day to do it. Fortunately, there is no time limit on reading the Bible. Take as much time as you  want, only do not let any drop of meaning go unnoticed. Read it for all that it's worth.