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Bible Read Thru

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3 Ways to Catch Up If You Fall Behind On Your Bible Reading Plan

Now updated with video!

Have you started a Bible reading plan…only to fall behind? It doesn’t seem to matter whether you tackle a Rapid Bible Read Thru, a 6-month survey of the New Testament, a 60-day reading plan, or the 16-week New Disciple Challenge I wrote about last week. Most people who start a Bible reading plan fall behind at some point. Here are a few ways you can catch up (and none of them are overwhelming).

Want a free PDF version of this entire blog post for saving, printing, or sharing? Simply click here. (All I ask is that you share this post.)

Before I share the three methods, I want to quickly lay out the easiest way to stay ahead. After all, if you have a strategy for staying ahead, you won’t need to bookmark this post! (wink)

Read for time, not content.

Almost every plan out there is set up as “daily readings.” You read…check a box…put your Bible away. Then you repeat the pattern the next day.

With this method, you are almost guaranteed to fall behind at some point. Even if you’re perfectly consistent for several weeks, what happens when you get the flu and miss a couple days? You have to set aside time to do three days of reading just to catch up!

Ugh.

However, if you read for an amount of time, you will always be ahead. The first few days, figure out how much time it takes you to do the reading. Then read for five minutes longer – even though it will take you into the next day’s reading.

Then, when you miss a day, it won’t have the same effect. You’ll shrug it off and keep plugging along the next day.

Ok…so what do you do when you DO fall behind?

Here’s the video (Scroll down for the written version)

Method 1: Recalculate the Time

This is the MY FAVORITE of the three methods. All you have to do is look at the amount of reading you have left and recalculate the time it will take you to read. A few helpful tips:

  • If you started out reading for an amount of time, then you already have an idea of how long it takes to read a page, a chapter, etc. Use your initial calculates as your guide. Since you based it on your reading speed, it will be the most accurate.
  • If you’re reading covers several books, the Old or New Testament, or even the whole Bible, this post will be really helpful to calculate the length of the books you’re reading.
  • If you want a simple way to estimate, you can use 4-minutes-per-chapter as a good basic guide.

For most people, this only adds 2-5 minutes a day and spreads out the “catching up” process over the entire plan.

Here are the top 3 methods for catching up if you fall behind on your Bible reading plan….

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Method 2: The 2-Day Catch Up

This is the FASTEST of the three methods. Are you one of those people who always tackles the hardest task on your To Do List first? Do you enjoy phrases like “Suck it up creampuff!” and “Git ‘er dun!”

If so, this is for you!

  • Look at your schedule for the next couple weeks.
  • Pick 2-3 days where you can add an extra 30-60 minutes of reading.
  • Put it on your schedule…with a reminder. (Or you won’t do it!)
  • Grab your Bible and Git ‘er Dun!

Side Note: Every year during the Rapid Bible Read Thru, I have people who actually build this right into their weekly routine. They know before even starting that different days of the week are easier for them to do more reading. Instead of 35-40 minutes every day, they do 20-25 minutes most days and 60-90 minutes on Saturdays and/or Sundays.

Method 3: Extend the Plan

This is the EASIEST of the three methods. This might not work if you’re doing a reading plan with a group and everyone else is on track. However, if your goal is to hang out with Jesus and enjoy His Word, then extending your reading plan is not failing. It’s adjusting so you can succeed.

Too often, people get behind…then quit. That’s the worst thing you can do!

You probably know how many “days behind” you are. Add them to the end of your plan. Boom! Done.

One word of warning: Don’t make Method 3 a habit. Make it a last resort. There is something that happens in your brain when you set a goal and achieve it. You realize what’s possible. You tackle another challenge. You associate a sense of accomplishment with your Bible reading – and your consistency improves moving forward. If you can catch up using Method 1 or Method 2 – do it!

Now…pick a method, pick up your Bible, and enjoy some time with Jesus!

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It’s Time for the 10th Annual Rapid Bible Read Thru!

10 years! I can’t believe it. I look forward to it every year…the Rapid Bible Read Thru. For the last several years, over 200 people from around the world joined me in this life-changing adventure. This year…I’d love for YOU to be one of them!

I’m only asking for 4-6 months. That’s it. Winter and Spring.

  • In less than six months you will know the Bible better than ever before.
  • In less than six months you will enjoy the Bible more than you thought possible.
  • In less than six months you will make new friends from around the world (and maybe in your own community).

You don’t have to take my word for it. Here are a few responses from some of the folks who have joined me in years past…

These past few months have been an incredible journey! God is speaking to me like he hasn’t in a long time. I am excited for the future like never before.”

I’m convinced this is the best way to read the Bible.”

I’m doing it for the third time. Reading in big chunks enables me to see the big picture. I recommend it to people all the time!”

It was truly an exhilarating experience to fall in love with our creator in a more intimate manner!”

The RBRT helped to encourage and motivate me to stay on even when I felt I couldn’t meet the deadline.  Reading the Bible is so exciting and it is so good to do it regularly.  And doing it together with so many other people from different corners of the world with different backgrounds, just reminded me how much our God loves us and how much I want to love Him better!”

Although reading through the whole Bible sounds daunting, it’s much simpler than you’d think.”

I did the 4-month Rapid Bible Read Thru to challenge myself to read a larger volume of Scripture, to try reading chronologically and above all to grow in my relationship with God.  It’s been way beyond my expectations and I can hardly believe that I’m almost done. A challenge worth taking!”

I’ve been a Christian nearly my entire life and have always studied the Bible, but this challenge has changed me! I feel like I understand God on a whole new level. It’s like the blinders have been lifted off my eyes and I see God with a new perspective and hear Him with a new heart.”

If you HAVE done the Rapid Bible Read Thru before – here are the links to…

  • Let me know you’re on board by signing up
  • …join the Facebook group!

Where should I send your Chronological Reading Plan?

Fields marked with a * are required.

If you HAVEN’T done the Rapid Bible Read Thru before – check out this short, BRAND NEW video:

Are you in? Here are the links you need…

  1. Let me know you’re on board by signing up.
  3. Join the Facebook group!

The top 4 questions about the Rapid Bible Read Thru (and more info about some of the links).

1. Why and How did you start doing the Rapid Bible Read Thru?

It all started in 2009 when someone who took my Falling in Love with God’s Word Workshop sent me an email with a link to  this article by Ron Frost. He writes of meeting a retired missionary who had read the Bible 2-3 times a year for several decades.

Now Ron – a former professor at Multnomah University in Portland, OR – has done the same thing for close to 50 years!

We connected over email, then sat down for lunch one time when he was passing through Seattle. After ignoring the prodding for a few months, I finally did my first Rapid Bible Read Thru with five other guys to kick off 2010. I’ve now done it every year since. Life changing!

I’m doing a Rapid Bible Read Thru with @KeithFerrin. Want to join me? www.keithferrin.com/brt2019

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2. What is a Rapid Bible Read Thru?

There are only three parameters and they’re quite simple:

  1. Read the Whole Bible in 4-6 Months. – This may sound like a lot, but it boils down to between 30-50 minutes a day. (See Question #3 for more on this.)
  2. Read with a Pen in Your Hand. – You’ll want to jot down the conversations you have with God as you read. This can be in your Bible, in a journal, or using a note-taking app. My favorite is OneNote. Other people prefer Evernote. (Both are free and keep everything synced across your computer, tablet, and smartphone.)
  3. Talk About It. – This is not optional! You need the accountability. (So do your buddies.) You will have more fun. You will learn and grow more than you could ever do on your own. (In case you’re interested, I did an entire podcast episode on this very topic. You can check it out here.)

3. What sort of time commitment will this take?

Most people think it’s going to take hours every day. (Not true.) Here’s the super-simple math: The average audio Bible is about 72 hours. 72 x 60 = 4320 (minutes). There are 120 days in January through April. Divide 4320 by 120 and the end result is 36 minutes each day. If you allow some time for jotting a few notes, getting up to grab a second cup of coffee, or simply to pause and ponder, you’re looking at somewhere between 40-55 minutes. BTW…If you’re going for 5 months, you’re looking at 29 minutes. If you’re committing to 6 months, you’re down to only 24 minutes. Totally doable!

  • A Suggestion: Begin by setting aside 10-15 minutes longer than you “need” to in the beginning. (50-60 minutes for 4 months, 40-45 minutes for 5 months, and 35 minutes or so for 6 months.) You’ll be setting yourself up for success, and you will always be ahead. When you get sick, have a crazy busy day, or attend an all-day basketball tournament for your kids, you won’t fall behind.
  • A Warning: Do NOT divide it up into 10 chapters a day! Your mindset will be all wrong. You’ll see it as “getting through” 9, 8, 7 more chapters. If you set aside an amount of TIME – rather than an amount of CONTENT – you will be more present with God in His Word.
I’m doing a Rapid Bible Read Thru with @KeithFerrin. Want to join me? www.keithferrin.com/brt2019

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4. Can we do this together?

You already know the answer to this. Y.E.S. However, you MUST fill out this form!

Join RBRT 2019 Today!

Here’s why…I recognize that not every one of my blog readers or email subscribers is interested – or able – to participate. Since Rapid Bible Read Thru 2019 will be highly interactive – email from me as well as the private Facebook group – the last thing I want to do is send everything to you if you don’t want it! (I’m guessing you’re not looking for ways to get more email.)

Signing up will take less than 30 seconds and will ensure that I have your best email address and I’m only sending the info to people who want it!

Free Chronological Reading Plan

You may or may not know this, but the Bible is not written in chronological order. In general, it is, but not entirely. Some events are told a few times. Others only once. Some books cover a long amount of time. Others are a deeper dive into a shorter time period.

Reading the Bible in the order the events actually occurred is super helpful.

I have put together this short eBook outlining every chapter in the Bible chronologically. You will find a deeper overview of this process in the opening pages.

For me, it’s helpful to simply print the two pages with the chapter breakdowns and tuck it in my Bible. Feel free to print it, copy it…or ignore it. ?

Wahoo! Let’s go!

QUESTION: What questions, comments, experiences, or concerns do you have about doing a Rapid Bible Read Thru?

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The Storyteller Bible™ is HERE! (And it’s completely free!)

I’ve been hoping, praying, and working toward this day for more than a decade. It’s a bit surreal when a dream becomes a reality. But today it happened. The Storyteller Bible™ has been released!

If you want to read all about the where, what, why, when, and how of The Storyteller Bible™ keep reading.

If you just want to start listening, click here.

Here is the FAQ about The Storyteller Bible™

Question: Where can I find The Storyteller Bible™?

Answer: On your computer or mobile device, head on over to www.StorytellerBible.com. You can bookmark that page for easy access later.

Question: How is this different from any other audio Bible?

Answer: There are three main differences. First…My goal from the beginning was to create an audio Bible that would truly immerse the listener in God’s Word. That’s why you will find no music or animal/wind nature noises. I love some of the dramatized Bibles. This isn’t one of them.

Second…I don’t say any of the headings or even the chapters. I begin every book by simply saying the book’s name. At the end of the book, I say, Amen. That’s it. (NOTE: When I record Psalms and Proverbs – sometime in 2019 – I will say the chapters.

Third…If you’ve seen me present a book of the Bible (see some samples on my YouTube Channel) then you know I read/speak/tell the Bible a little differently than most. While there will always be something lost in an audio-only telling of the Bible, my hope and prayer are that I have come as close as possible to have it “feel” like one of my live presentations.

Question: How much does it cost?

Answer: Nothing. Nada. Zippo. Zilch. At our last board meeting, we decided to give the whole thing away!  [Read more…] about The Storyteller Bible™ is HERE! (And it’s completely free!)

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5 Benefits (and 3 Drawbacks) of Using a Bible App for a Rapid Bible Read Thru

I didn’t think I was going to like it. But I do. By the way, if you’re one of those people who immediately scrolls down to the bottom of any review to see if the person recommends – or doesn’t recommend – what they’re reviewing, allow me to save any strain on your finger-scrolling-muscle and say: Give it a try. You’ll like it.

Find this photo at Lightstock.com

Before jumping into the benefits and drawbacks, let me start by saying I’m a big fan of using a physical Bible for reading, studying, and preaching. (If you preach or teach the Bible, please read this post.) If you are planning to hunker down in a specific book of the Bible, I would still encourage you to put your tablet, smartphone, or computer away, grab a physical Bible, and dive in.

However…a Bible Read Thru is different from a Bible Study.

In case you’ve just stumbled across this blog, I’ve been doing a Rapid Bible Read Thru for the first four months of every year since 2010. (In 2017 I wrote a book about the What, Why, and How of doing a Rapid Bible Read Thru. You can read reviews or grab a copy right here.) While I’ve read different translations each time, a few years ago was the first time I used a tablet as my primary reading Bible.

NOTE: There are lots of Bible apps out there. Since the free YouVersion Bible App is the one I used – and the most popular Bible app in the world – that’s the one I will reference for this post. However, the same benefits and drawbacks apply no matter which app you choose.

Get the Bible App for free at www.bible.com/app

First…the 5 Benefits

1. I spend less time looking up the passages.

My favorite way to do a Rapid Bible Read Thru is chronologically. (You can see my four favorite chronological plans – and even download a free printable plan – by clicking here.)

Since there are lots of times when books overlap, you can end up spending time switching back and forth instead of reading. Having the whole plan laid out for you keeps you immersed in the narrative. (Hmmm…sort of the purpose of a Rapid Bible Read Thru!)

Here are 5 Benefits (and 3 Drawbacks) of using a Bible App for a Rapid Bible Read Thru.

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Jumpstart Your Bible Study in 2018 (Free Webinar!)

Lots of people make New Year’s Resolutions (or goals…or plans-of-attack…or fresh starts). Whatever you call it, for Christians at least, “read my Bible more” is typically somewhere on the list. Is time in God’s Word on your list? Do you have a plan? (Hint: You need one.)

My desire is to help you start well…so you can sustain a vibrant time with God all year long (ahem…and longer). That’s why I’m hosting a FREE webinar next Wednesday at noon (PST). Sign up now!

These are some of the questions I’ll answer…

  1. Is it really possible to enjoy the Bible?
  2. How do I keep my mind from wandering?
  3. Where do I start if I’m new to the Bible?
  4. What do you recommend for people who have been around the Bible a long time?
  5. What translation do you recommend?
  6. How do I remember what I read?

Are you in? Register today! [Read more…] about Jumpstart Your Bible Study in 2018 (Free Webinar!)

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5 Options for Bible Reading in 2018

Have you decided “Bible reading” is going to be on your list of New Year’s Resolutions? If so, join the thousands of Christians who do the same thing. The two tougher questions are: Has Bible reading been on your list before? and Did you follow through? (Insert heavy sigh here.)

Today I want to share four options to get you started on the right foot. Hopefully, the result will be you enjoy the Bible more, know the Bible better, and read the Bible more regularly than ever before.

For each one, I provide a brief description, links to other posts where I have written more deeply about the plan, as well as links to resources to maximize each plan.

ONE: Rapid Bible Read Thru (3-6 Months)

I start with this one because it is how I begin each year (since 2010). A rapid Bible read thru is any reading of the whole Bible in six months or less. I typically shoot for four months (about 45-60 minutes of reading each day).

It is amazing to immerse yourself in the full narrative of God’s Big Story! Every year I am blown away by new insights and a renewed confidence in a God who has been faithfully engaged with messy people (like me) for thousands of years! Not to mention it is a fantastic foundation for all of the deeper study I do for the rest of the year.

  • Rapid Bible Read Thru – My book where I lay out the Why, What, and How of doing and hosting a Rapid Bible Read Thru.
  • The post to RBRT 2018 with a video from me, FAQs, and links to sign up to to join me this year…as well as a couple hundred other people around the world!
  • A post I wrote called 4 Benefits of Reading the Entire Bible You Probably Haven’t Thought Of

TWO: ReadScripture App & Plan (5-12 months)

This is also an “entire Bible” plan. It’s put together by The Bible Project in partnership with Francis Chan. It is an app you can download to your phone or tablet and check off the readings as you do them. NOTE: While it’s setup as a 1-year reading plan, it’s very simple to read multiple days and make the plan as long or short as you wish.

What makes this plan unique – and why I love it so much! – is the integration of video overviews as you begin each book. The 6-9 minutes it takes to get an overview of a book of the Bible is extremely helpful for beginners and longtime Bible readers alike.

THREE: The “New Disciple Challenge” (4 Months)

Are you new to the Bible? Have you been a Christian less than two years? Could you use a “refresher” in the life of Jesus and the early church?

If you said “YES!” to any of these questions, the New Disciple Challenge is just what you need. Here’s the super-simple overview:

  1. Set aside 20-40 minutes a day.
  2. Focus ONLY on Mathew, Mark, Luke, John and Acts.
  3. Read each gospel (M, M, L and J) for two weeks each.
  4. In between each gospel, read Acts for two weeks.

That’s it. At the end of the four months you will have walked through the life of Jesus 8-12 times and the happenings of the early church another 8-12 times. After those four months you’ll be ready to dive into one of these other options. (So make sure you bookmark this page!)

  • A podcast episode (and written post) where I go into greater detail about the New Disciple Challenge.
  • A post with a “modified” version of the New Disciple Challenge
  • I devote part of Chapter 9 in my book – How to Enjoy Reading Your Bible – to the New Disciple Challenge (as well as the Rapid Bible Read Thru).

FOUR: Dive Deep Into One Short Book (60 Days)

Do you have a favorite “short book” of the Bible. Would you like to know it deeply? Not just know as in “memorize,” but know as in “internalize.” Understand it. Remember it. Be able to ponder it as you go throughout your day…not to mention have God bring it to your mind whenever HE wants!

If so, there is no better way than to do a “60-day adventure.” One month looking at the Big Picture of the book (what I like to call “watching the movie”). Another month walking verse-by-verse through the book you’ll now be very familiar with. (Think of Month #2 as “studying the scenes of the movie.”)

NOTE: If you don’t know where to start, I highly recommend you start with Philippians, II Timothy, or Ephesians. They are all short, you’ll be very familiar with many of the verses, and they are each filled with encouragement, beauty, and practical application.

FIVE: Relational Bible Study (8-session video course)

If you are a “video learner,” please, please check this out!

A whole new perspective on reading, studying, and enjoying the Bible. #RelationalBibleStudy This is my baby. This is the one resource I have created that I wish every person who comes across my blog would walk through. It shares my HEARTBEAT for studying the Bible relationally (not just informationally). And it shares my PROCESS for how I study the Bible. Not to mention it’s filmed in cool places like an unfinished house, my kitchen, and hiking up a mountain.

I love this series. It seems like the participants love it too…

I have been studying the Bible for 30 years and Relational Bible Study opened up a whole new way of digging into the Word of God.” (RBS participant)

You can find out more and register here.