So about a week ago I finished reading the Bible in 5 months. This is the fastest I’ve ever read through… so, I thought I would share a few of my observations on reading the Bible quickly and regularly.

First, let me tell you how I did this. I used the the Bible In 90 Days plan from Youversion. Obviously, I did not do it in 90 days. It took me more like 140-ish. But I used this plan as my guide and my tracker… to make sure I read it all.

Now, some observations…

I didn’t read everyday. We have turned reading the Bible everyday into a rule… a stupid one. I read at least 4 times a week (excluding out of town times.) In my reading plan research I have found that you can read 15 minutes daily and read the Bible in a year, but can spend 25 minutes and read it in 6 months. That’s more Bible per minute. Don’t try to read everyday (unless you do, in which case keep up the good work.) Instead, just try to read regularly… that simply means often (few times a week at least) and systematically (reading straight through, chronologically or the main points.)

I didn’t start on January 1st. The problem with starting the Bible yearly is that when you miss you tend to wait another year. Think about doing a dateless system. Youversion is great for this, because it will start you on day one at any point in the year. I’m not discouraging an end point, but when you feel the urge to start reading the Bible, that’s the time to do it… January 1 is not the only time you can start reading.

The more you read at once, the more you understand. Reading more at once keeps everything more contextual. You will understand Abraham more if you read about Abraham in one day, rather than 10 days. The 90-day plan ended up being about 50-105 minutes per reading.

Don’t use a fast plan unless you have the discipline. In hindsight, I shouldn’t have done the 90 day plan. Because I couldn’t keep up, my failure stayed in front of me. I constantly had to hit the “catch me up” button. I would have preferred a one year plan that I stayed ahead of.

Use an Audio Bible. I would use an audio bible with my actually Bible reading. I would not suggest listening to the audio without a written text. There is something about looking at the Bible that I don’t think I can explain or justify… but I read the Bible in 5 months so I’m the one calling the shots! KIDDING!! But I did use an audio Bible and my book-Bible everyday.

Use good pens and highlighters. If you don’t use pens and highlighters good for Bible, you’ll end up making a mess. The Uni-Ball Jetstream is a great Bible pen. Don’t use the “dry-highlighters” from the Christian Book Store… They’re essentially crayon, and you can’t write in pen over your markings.

Find a secret place. All spiritual disciplines work better in private, where either no one can find you or they know not to bother you. This is not a “Jesus said to pray in the closet,” point… it’s simply more practical.

I used this NASB to do this reading, as well as this Audio Bible.

What am I doing now? I’m reading very slowly doing lots of study in the same 1-1.5 hours 4-6 times a week. I’ve only read 8 chapters in a week. I’m lovin’ it!