I have been reading the Bible cover-to-cover every year for the past decade. Here are some reflections and thoughts I wish I had known 10 years ago, that I would have known when I started. This serves both as a tip and advice for those starting a Bible reading plan, and as a reminder to myself in the future as well.
God’s Word Will Not Return Empty
so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.
– Isaiah 55:11
One of the thoughts you will have as you read the bible cover to cover is that you will think to yourself. What’s the point of all this? I don’t understand anything about what I just read. Is all my effort in vain?
To this I will say. Keep at it. You may not see the change that is happening to you as you expose yourself to God’s word. But God himself said it, that His word will not come back empty. Over time, your mind will be transformed. You will begin to think God’s thoughts, and you will understand more. The more you know God’s word, the more you will understand God’s word.
The worthwhile things in life are things that require time and hard work. So keep at it, it is making a difference.
Keep the Big Picture In Mind
44 Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled. 45 Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures,”
– Luke 24:44-45
Another thing that will happen is that you will get lost going through each book of the bible, especially when the genre of the book is not narrative.
For this, I will tell you to learn about God’s redemptive story of salvation. And get something that teaches you how each book of the bible fits into that story of salvation. It will give you a footing and help you not forget the big picture.
I would recommend taking the free online course The Story of Scripture from DTS.
I Don’t Feel Like I’m Getting Deep
Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness.
– 1 Timothy 4:7
You will also have doubts about your bible reading. Since you’re moving through the bible at quite a fast pace, you don’t have time to study deeply into the book. You wonder, is this beneficial? Should I focus on one single book? But then I won’t be reading the bible cover to cover.
To this I say to you, reading the bible is like weight training. Reading the whole bible in a year means you’re covering a lot of content. This is like training a compound movement; you’re training large muscle groups. You’re focusing on getting a lot of mass. Focusing and going deep into one book, on the other hand, covers a smaller amount of content. This is like training for definition. It makes that part of the muscle pop. Both are important and complementary to each other. You can’t do a definition if there’s no foundation. If you just do foundation, then there’s no definition. The more you read the bible, the more you will understand the bible. The bible interprets itself.
So don’t be discouraged that you don’t understand something as deeply as you want. Because you are learning, and God will reward your faithfulness in reading His Word. Remember His word will not return empty. Keep reading, and if possible, do both. Follow a plan, read cover to cover, and focus on a particular book that you are interested in. But life is hard, and many are struggling just to keep one of these alive. So what I do is I read cover to cover for myself. Then I focus on a book along with what my fellowship is studying.
To Enjoy God’s Word
but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.
– Psalm 1:2
You are more likely to keep doing something if it is something you enjoy. So I think a big part of doing your devotionals is to become someone who enjoys reading God’s word. So, one final advice is to have a mindset that you “get” to read God’s word, not that you “have” to.
“‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
– Matthew 4:4
So enjoy your bible reading like you are enjoying a nice meal.
Misc Verses
Here are some verses about reading the bible.
Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go.
– Joshua 1:7
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,
– 2 Timothy 3:16