Let’s Read the Bible Challenge

Have you ever said, “I wish I could read the Bible?” Do you have a desire to read God’s word? A longing that is soul-deep but, for some reason, the thought of reading 3-5 chapters a day just seems impossible. Or maybe you’ve tried the Bible year (many, many times); maybe even completed it, but want to take smaller bites of God’s word in one sitting. Maybe you’d like to try this read the Bible challenge.

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A Challenge to Read the Bible

Table of Contents

Since you’re still reading, I guess that means I’ve got your attention. I know some of the reasons you may have decided not to read the Bible. It’s too hard.

I don’t know which translation to choose.

I don’t know where to start.

There are too many chapters to read every day if I want to finish it in a year.

I know exactly how you feel because I’ve said those words a few times as well. But let’s try something new. How about reading one chapter of the Bible each day? You’re probably thinking, “One chapter a day? That would take forever!”

Reasons to Take the Read the Bible Challenge

Let’s do the math: there are 1189 books in the Bible and 365 days in a year. So it would actually take about 3 years and 3 months. Let’s round it up leaving room for illness, fatigue, the overwhelmed schedule, etc. and say it will take 3 years and 6 months.

“That’s a really long time.” you think.

Yes, it is. Let’s look at it another way – think of all the things that can be, or has been, accomplished in this amount of time:

Elijah prayed and there was no rain in all Israel for 3 ½ years.
Jesus’ ministry was 3 ½ years during which time he worked miracles and changed lives.
Solomon had so many wives it would take him 3 ½ years to visit each one if he saw a new wife every day.

Not convinced? How about this:

You’ll have finally completed reading the Bible (maybe even for the first time)!

The time spent with God reading His Word will change your life. You will be – transformed. You will have developed the habit of reading God’s word consistently. And the lessons that God imparts to you through His Word will remain with you forever.

Reasons to Read the Bible One Chapter A Day

A daily habit of reading the Bible will make you crave time in the Word. As Christians, we can’t become spiritually mature without time spent with God. Life gets busy and when trying to read the Bible in a year it’s easy to fall behind when missing one day’s reading means you’ll have to read 6-10 chapters the following day to catch up. Just typing the words overwhelm me.

A chapter a day gives you sufficient time to uncover new lessons in God’s Word without leading to a feeling of overwhelm. On most days, all you’ll need is fifteen minutes.

Can you spare fifteen minutes a day and join the challenge to read your Bible? Every day. One chapter at a time.

Yes, it’s going to take you three and a half years, but at the end of that time, your spiritual health will be better for it.

What the Bible Says About Reading the Word of God

The Bible has a lot to say on a variety of topics. It should come as no surprise that the Bible talks about the importance of God’s Word. Here are a few of those scriptures:

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 competent, equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17 ESV).

Can you spare fifteen minutes a day and join the challenge to read your Bible? #readthebible #hebrews12endurance Click To Tweet

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path (Psalm 119:105 ESV).

This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success (Joshua 1:8 ESV).

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart (Hebrews 4:12 ESV).

For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope (Romans 15:4 ESV).

For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope (Romans 15:4 ESV). #readthebible #hebrews12endurance Click To Tweet

Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching (1 Timothy 4:13 ESV).

If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you (John 15:7 ESV).

The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward (Psalm 19:7-11 ESV).

The Word of God gives us knowledge and power and the ammunition we need to withstand the attacks of the devil. I hope you’ll commit to reading it more frequently.

The One Chapter A Day Bible Reading Plan

We will be Christians with a sustained habit of reading the Bible and spending time in God’s word. We will be members of a community of Bible readers – part of the family of God.

Let us pray for transformation as we get intentional about the time we spend with God.

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Linking up with Suzanne Eller at #LiveFreeThursday, Holly Gerth at #CoffeeForYourHeart and Susan Mead at #DanceWithJesus.