Reading Through the Bible in 2024, Part 1

AN INTRODUCTION

My journey of reading through the Bible (the very Word of God) began in all truth on December 15, 2023. However, I had a slightly different mindset then and on January 01, 2024, a new era of reading through the Bible began for me (and my husband with our congregation).

Let me offer a little context. I have read through the Bible before. A few times. I also have studied it for years, and even taught and written a few unpublished Bible studies, devotionals, and Christian living books. I even went to the seminary. Never mind all the radio ministries I have listened to and all the Christian living books, commentaries, study Bibles, and so on that I've read. I do not say that to brag. I am just giving a point of references and am sharing some of my background.

However, on January 01, 2024, I learned something extremely fascinating. When you read slowly, prayerfully, and communally (knowing others are committed to reading it at the same time, and have done so for years), it changes things. It also changes things when you read it completely afresh and like this reading is new. It also makes a difference when you do not look at commentaries, at study Bibles, or at what others say about what you read, so it is just you and the Lord, and you allow Him to talk to you about the passage.

It also makes a difference when you read it in chronological order and in the order of the events that transpired.

It also makes a difference to read the entire book of the Bible, which helps you keep things in proper context when combined with doing it in chronological order.

Another thing I have tried to do is forget everything I know, have ever heard before, and have learned before. I have tried to read from an unbiased perspective.

Through my slow and careful word by word reading of the Bible, even on January 01, which consisted of reading the chapters I have read so many times before, I realized how much I have missed in the past. I cannot even begin to tell you how much I have learned and been impacted by as I have read the Bible all the way through again.

There is something very special about reading through the Bible, the same chapters, with others and as a community, where you can talk about what you have learned, seen for the first time, missed, been blown away by, and what you're excited to have read, along with how it's changed you.

My congregation has been doing the Divine Mentor Bible reading plan by Wayne Cordeiro. It can be found at this link, which is a way to do it on the YouVersion Bible app. Do not start it until January 01, though, or it will have you start at a different time than most who are doing this plan and have been since about 2008 or so. Here is the link:

https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/3-life-journal-reading-plan

Note, though, it is called the Life Journal Reading Plan on the YouVersion Bible app.