Help! I Want to Read the Bible Cover to Cover

So you want to read the Bible cover to cover. Awesome! But maybe you’re still not sure how to approach it. I want to share with you the best way to read the Bible cover to cover.

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What People Say About Reading the Bible

We know we’re supposed to read the Bible. But the thought of reading 66 books, 1, 189 chapters, 31, 164 verses or more than 800, 000 words can be intimidating.

These are some of the reasons Christians give for not reading the Bible cover to cover:

• It’s too boring
• I don’t understand it
• I don’t know where to start
• I don’t have a theology degree

I asked some of my Christian blogger friends to share some of the reasons they’ve heard (or used) to explain why people don’t read the Bible and these are some of the answers I got:

• I really need more sleep
• I just can’t concentrate right now
• I can’t do this by myself
• I don’t have time
• When I try to start the habit, life gets crazy hard so why bother?
• There are too many translations
• It’s just made up stories to prove a moral point so why read it
• It’s outdated
• I don’t know if it’s remained the same over time–too many inconsistencies
• It’s intolerant or bigoted
• My kids are too loud

I shared that long list of reasons so you can understand that you’re not alone. Many of us struggle to read and study our Bibles consistently. But it doesn’t mean we should give up. I understand how you feel and have used many of these excuses as well. 

Why aren't you reading your Bible? You may be surprised at some of the reasons people have for not reading God's Word. #hebrews12endurance Click To Tweet

Because that’s all they are. Excuses. Excuses that prevent you from getting into God’s Word. Excuses that hamper your spiritual growth.

 

Why You Should Read Your Bible Cover to Cover

On the other hand, there are amazing benefits to reading your Bible. If you are still hesitant to start a Bible reading habit, let me encourage you that there’s no time like the present. 

There is no better way to get close to the heart of God. The Bible teaches us about the character of God and the plans he has for his people.

Watch this YouTube video to learn 12 amazing benefits of reading the Bible.

 

How to Read Your Bible Cover to Cover

The best way to read your Bible is to slow down. I know there are many people who read the Bible cover to cover every year and if that’s you, continue to spend time in the Word that way.

But if the thought of reading all of the 66 books of the Bible in a year causes you to feel overwhelmed and stressed, maybe you should consider another method.

Here are my tips to help you read the Bible cover to cover at least once in your lifetime:

Use a plan

A Bible reading plan is a great way to keep track of what you’re reading. Especially if you choose the read the Bible in a different order than it is assembled or read multiple sections at a time. 

Please, however, try to read the Bible one book at a time even if you choose to read it in a different order than is in your Bible. We can take passages out of context when we lift them outside of the chapter or book they were included in. We want our time to teach us more about God, not to support misconceptions we may have about him.

Set aside time to read

Choose a time when you will have enough time to dedicate to your Bible reading. If making time to read your Bible is difficult, consider making it an appointment. Set a reminder on your phone or schedule it in your planner. Ensure that your family knows your schedule so they can give you the time you need.

 

Include your family 

Many times we are unable to carve time away from our families to read our Bibles. So maybe we should try it another way: make reading the Bible something you do together. I’ve found that reading a few verses with my son allows for all sorts of discussions and lessons surrounding the Word of God.

Do you want to read the Bible cover to cover? Here are a few tips! #readthebible #hebrews12endurance Click To Tweet

Use an audio Bible 

When my son was younger, I struggled to find ways to make the Bible relatable and interesting for him. While there were a number of animated shows, I was reluctant to let him watch some of them because they took too much of a creative license with the Word of God. And then we discovered the dramatized NIV Bible. 

Oh, my word! The Bible came alive for us and soon it became our thing to do in the morning as we had breakfast and got ready to leave the house. A dramatized or audio Bible may be just what you need to jumpstart your desire to read God’s Word. 

A word of caution though, when you’re playing an audio Bible you have to actually listen for it to be effective. So turn off your mental to-do list and wrestle those wandering thoughts.

 

Creative Ways to Read Your Bible

As you strive to make Bible reading a habit, you may have to try a number of things before you find one that works…and you may have to do that a few times because the enemy will try to distract you from spending time in the Word of God.

Here are some more ways to make a habit of reading your Bible cover to cover.

• Read on your commute but only if you’re not driving
• Use your lunchtime
• Read in the bathroom
• Read in spurts–even if it’s only five minutes at a time

I hope these tips encourage you to make Bible reading a habit. What are the things you do to read the Bible cover to cover?

You may also like:

• Let’s Read the Bible Challenge
• 4 Reasons to Read the Bible {At Least Once in Your Lifetime}