When I set out to read the bible from cover to cover last year, I did not know I would be in for a few surprises.
For instance, I had no idea that Job lived before Abraham, in spite of the fact that the Book of Job is located several hundred pages after Genesis. In addition, it was a revelation to me that after the flood, God declared that all animals would fear humans (Gen. 9:2 ESV throughout). And the thought that an honorable man such as Jabez, whose name meant “man of sorrow” or “borne out of pain”, had two verses written about him to demonstrate God’s blessings over his life (1 Chr. 4:9-10), left me wondering what else in the bible have I yet to discover?
The reading plan I used to accomplish this feat is part of the Olive Tree Bible Study app, which resides on my phone and on my tablet. I simply chose a chronological reading plan that consisted of the English Standard Version (ESV). When I travelled, I read it on my phone, sync’d it with my Olive Tree account, then, when I returned home, I picked it up from where I left off on my tablet. Even today, it makes for a seamless experience.
Choosing to read the bible chronologically has its advantages, too. I gained an incredible amount of insight into historical events when reading about the same story through two different accounts. I did not have to understand why certain things happened the way they did because the context remained the same throughout. The chronological reading plan is especially helpful when working through the Books of Kings and the Books of Chronicles, as the reign of kings can be quite confusing when studying it in a non-linear fashion.
All history aside, though, my favorite part of the bible is the gospels. In the gospels Jesus talks about how to get along with others (Mat. 5:43-48), how to have a relationship with God (Mat. 6:5-15), and what the ultimate goal for believers should be (Mat. 6:19-21).
And, of course, one of my favorite verses I cling to comes from the gospels:
“Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you” (Luke 6:38).
In its basic form, it means that whatever I give is what comes back to me. I can attest that this principle works every single time I use it—and it does not apply to money only.
Anyway, I learned all these things in my first year reading the bible from cover to cover. I am hoping after having read the New International Version (NIV) this year, I will have something more to say about the experience.
In the meantime, I will quote this verse as my last thought for this post: “Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor” (Rom. 12:10).
Looking to God 
I don’t know if you have ever read the One Year Bible, but it has a very interesting set up that I really enjoyed. Instead of just reading a chapter or two out of a book, you read 1 from the Old Testament, 1 from the New Testament, 1 Psalm and 1 Proverb. I really like this set up because it doesn’t take you months to be able to read Jesus’s words. Just thought I would recommend it!
Reading the bible from cover to cover was such a life changer for me! And so necessary as Christians, to read Gods word in its entirety.
I’m reading the Bible all the way through right now, and I’m a little more than half way through. I have read every book separately, but not the reading through in order, in a year. Reading this way, I now know there is A LOT I did not know or understand. I did not understand how much more context I could understand, on several levels, by reading Scripture through in this way. It has been and incredible blessing to me. You have a wonderful blog and I’m grateful I found it!
That last line is a quote we should all live by!