Bible Reading Resources

As part of our Covenant Renewal focus for January, I'd like to post a variety of resources for people who are interested in developing the spiritual discipline of regular Bible reading.  I'll begin with a few overview comments and then move from beginning steps to more intense Bible reading programs.

Overview

Read the Bible Itself - Not a Book about the Bible - This means I steer away from "devotional books with Bible verses," commentaries and the like.  I'm even slow to get too caught up with a Study Bible.  Better to stick to some basic portions of the Bible - like John or Psalms or Acts - and be reading the Bible itself.

Be Free To Start Simple - I've had seasons of life that were so overwhelmed that I backed down to a "verse-a-day" card rack.  I'd grab that verse as I fell out of bed and read it several times through the day hanging on for dear life.

Which Translation? The One You Will Read - Better to read the Living Bible paraphrase rather than let some other "better" translation collect dust on the shelf.  Over the course of the years, I've actually read almost every translation and paraphrase at least once.  Personally, I use the New International Version (NIV) as my basic working translation.  I read the English Standard Version (ESV) for 2011 and really like it.  I love to dip in to the Message for a change of pace.  And I stop and read a story from The Jesus Storybook Bible: Every Story Whispers His Name more often than you would think

A System Generally Helps - OK, I admit to be a recovering performance-oriented, driven, Germanic sort of guy.  (Click Here for a good laugh.)  I still think having some sort of system to navigate the days is helpful.  A checklist, a bookmark, a computer based reading list.  Use whatever works for you.  And if you miss a few days, then just pick up where you left off and go forward.  So what if it takes you 60 days to actually get through a 30 day reading program.  Get through it and celebrate!  And don't feel like you've got to get a system that bites off more than you can regularly chew.  No need to get a through the Bible in one year system if you will never be able to read 3-4 chapters per day.  Better to get a through the New Testament in one year system.  And for people just taking their first steps, I recommend simply reading the book of John, and then reading it through again - and again and again.  Anybody would be blessed to read the Book of John portion by portion for a year!

Another Resource Post - Justin Taylor is a great Gospel Coalition blogger.  Bible Reading Plans for 2012 is chock full of info and options.

And One More - Tim Challes has posted helpful suggestions for connecting Bible Reading with many of the other resolutions we all are making or needing to make around this time of year. Click Here for Keeping Your Resolutions.

Some Actual Resources 

With links of course.  These are just examples.  I get no commission or have any vested interest.  I just want to give you easy access to a variety of things out there.

Verse-A-Day Calendar - Click Here

Verse-A-Day Book - Click Here

Children's Story Book Bibles - Not Just For Kids!

Every Story Whispers His Name - Click Here - People at Christ Covenant know already that I think the world of this children's Bible. No matter what your age or how long you've been a believer or how many degrees you have, if  you have not read this book cover to cover yet, get it and do it.  Then find a child and spend time with them reading it aloud.  You heart for Jesus will grow.

Big Picture Story Bible - Click Here - This comes with CD's so you can listen while you commute!

Reading Plans

YouVersion.com - Click here  This a great resource with more different reading plans than I can count. You can pick from a variety of plans and a variety of Bible translations.  You can read it on-line, or have daily emails send with your reading.  I don't see a way to print out a checklist or guide, but they do have mobile apps for iPhone, Android and tablet computers.

Walk Thru The Bible Reading Plans - Click Here - If you prefer having a paper reading guide that you can tuck into the Bible that you are reading through - I did this for most of my life - my favorite resources come from Walk Thru The Bible Ministries.  Their Bible-in-a-year and New-Testament-in-a-year are ideal.

Zondervan Reading Plans - Click Here - This christian publishing house has a variety of plans as well, including printable checklists that you can print, and leave inside your own Bible.

Study Bibles

OK, if you will promise to spend more time reading the text of the Bible than the footnotes, I'll pass some on to you.

Recovery Devotional Bible - Click Here - I still have this from the year I read the Bible and the devotionals in this with a friend in recovery.  He's still sober and I'll never be the same.

Life Application Bible - Click Here - Probably my favorite for general population and students

Reformation Study Bible - Click Here - Now available in ESV translation.

I don't recommend the Ryrie Study Bible or Scofield Bible.  Because of the distinctive theological bias to their notes, they should be "Left Behind."  Sorry, that's a seminary joke, but I don't recommend them.

Of Interest Also

The Story - Click Here - This is an edited and summarized version of the NIV text marketed by Zondervan.  What's interesting about it, is that it reduces the Bible to 31 chapters.  It was a Christmas gift and I'm reading one chapter per day, to get a run through the entire Bible in a month.

I hope you see that no matter what your reading capability, time availability, Bible experience or any other criteria, there is a step you can take towards regularly reading the Bible.  The resources are there.  I'm praying that your heart will reach out to know the Jesus who meets us in the written Word.  Let this be the year that you take a new step in Bible reading.