Daily Bible reading

When I was deciding how to restructure my quiet times, I decided that it would be profitable to have a sytematic plan for my Bible readings.  I had previously used a One Year Bible, like this.

The principle of it is good.  It is laid out so that you have a portion from the Old testament, New Testament, Psalms and a few verses from Proverbs, for each day.  So, you systematically read through the Bible.  However, it is set specifically to dates - so, it starts with Genesis 1 on January the 1st, and so forth.  I found that if I missed a day, it could be hard to catch up.  I also found it hard going going through some books of the Bible.  As much as there was always some New Testament to read as well, you could spend quite a long time in one book (think Chronicles here!...)  Also, if you start using it, say, in July, you don't start at the beginning, in Genesis.


My copy of it was also quite a large and bulky paperback.  It wasn't the most practical thing to use.  You can, however, now get a compact hard-back copy, which is much better.


My other frustration was, if I read something and wanted to cross-reference with another scripture, it's NOT easy to find it in there! Simply because everything is all jumbled up, and books spread out through it.  I found myself having to get another Bible out to find what I wanted, or else I would spend ages looking for things.  When time is already precious in the mornings, before the children waken, speed is of the essence!


I'm sure it works for many people (I KNOW it does!), but i was looking for something different.


Then I found it!


Again, it's a "read-the-Bible-in-a-year" format.  However, I work with a printed guide for a start. Then, you can use whichever Bible you have on hand.   I have it in my Prayer Journal, although I plan to put another copy in my small Bible that goes everywhere with me.  It was put together by someone who had struggled to complete other Annual Bible reading plans.  Each day of the week, you read between one to six chapters out of a different part of the Bible. Each week I cover one or more chapters out of each major area of the Bible - Epistles, The Law, History, Psalms, Poetry, Prophecy and Gospels.  It provides some variety by changing the area you read from every day.  There is an element of consistency insofar as you still read through each book systematically, albeit on a weekly basis, rather than a daily basis. I am certainly enjoying it, and enjoy the variety.  


You can find it here.



On that page you can also find a PDF version which you can print off.  Alternatively, the passage to be read each day can also be emailed to you!


Here's my printed version, in my Journal.

  I think that it is important to have the Bible as the backbone to our Quiet Time each day.  Devotional books are great as an extra, but I don't think they should be a substitute for getting into God's Word.


I think that any other studies should be in ADDITION to the reading of God's Word.


Some other day I will share HOW I study through - what I try and draw our from my readings, to apply to my life.


So, how do YOU study through the scriptures?  I would love to hear!


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