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The 4-Month Challenge That Could Change Everything

Last week I promised to share my detailed plan for what I am going to do for my New Year’s Resolution. In that post  we looked at three questions you need to ask first. I was going to just write out my plan, but making a video is a lot more fun. So here you go…

 

[callout]NOTE: This post is in reference to the Bible Read Thru for 2013. I did my first BRT in 2010 and have been doing it every year since. In December, I’ll be posting an invitation for you to join me next year![/callout]

So…You just want to skip the video and read the highlights? Ok, ok, here is the challenge:

Read the Bible in four months. All of it.

Sound like a lot? It doesn’t take anywhere near as long as you would think. In fact, reading out loud at a normal rate of speed, it will only take about 40-45 minutes a day.

Will it cost you a little extra sleep or part of an episode of American Idol? (You know you watch it.) Probably. Will it be worth it? Absolutely!

I have done a Bible Read Thru each of the last three years and it has truly been life-changing. The first time was in 2010 after someone who attended a Falling In Love with God’s Word Workshop sent me a link to this post by Ron Frost (a former professor at Multnomah University.

It has had such a dramatic impact that I plan to do it every year – for a very, very long time.

The parameters are simple:

  1. Read the Bible in 4 months. You can read Genesis to Revelation straight through. You can read chronologically. However you want. Just read it. (NOTE: If you are on the email list for blog posts, I will be send a link to where you can download the Bible references laid out chronologically.)
  2. Read with a pen in your hand. Underline. Or take notes in a journal. Or use a virtual notepad like OneNote or Evernote. You are not outlining or writing down details. Simply jot down anything that stands out, challenges you, or even confuses you.
  3. Talk about it. I’ll be sharing some thoughts on the blog and Facebook. But you need more. You need real, live, face-to-face buddies to talk with. Get together once a week and talk about the conversations you had with God. You won’t all be at the same place. It doesn’t matter. You will learn from each other, challenge each other, and help encourage each other to stick with it.

That’s it.

You now have two weeks to think about it. Pray about it. Talk to some friends about it. Then do it. Let me know if you are in!

[callout]NOTE: This post is in reference to the Bible Read Thru for 2013. I did my first BRT in 2010 and have been doing it every year since. In December, I’ll be posting an invitation for you to join me next year![/callout]

Question: What is your biggest hesitation to jumping on board?

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Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

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Comments

  3. Hello! I was just wondering if you could send me the link to where I could find the Bible references laid out chronologically to read through the Bible in 4 months?!

    Thanks!

    Reply

  4. Hey Keith, I’m in for sure. I love reading the Bible. I got so caught up in it the other night that I realized it was three in the morning. ( I had started reading at ten pm.) And the prayer time afterwards….whewee! I hope I have more Bible time like that very soon.

    Reply

    • That’s terrific Robert! Just so you know…this particular post was written quite a while ago. I do the 4-month read thru every January-April. So…we’re just wrapping up this year’s in the next few weeks. I hope you’ll join us next January!

      Reply

  5. Hello! I’m in, and I’m excited to also have my school doing it along with me as well! I’d love the daily layout. Thanks so much!

    Dayna

    Reply

  7. We are in sort of, My wife and I started with a slightly longer goal with 6 chapters a day which should have us finished by the end of June. You are right, it is going faster than we thought, and we spend time together studying the word almost every night, its fantastic. Thanks for the challenge, we will be taking it up right after we finish this read through. By the way this will be our first time reading straight thru as well.

    Reply

    • That is fantastic Pat! Keep me posted. I’m sure those times with your wife in the evening are really fantastic. The fruit of that will be so broad AND deep!

      Reply

  8. I’m in! Thank you so much for your encouragement and practical tips. I have been a Christian for 25 years and never read the Bible all the way through. I’ve studied a lot, but have always wanted to do a chronological read through. I’m looking forward to what the Lord has to show me through this! Thank you!

    Reply

  9. I’m in Keith. I’ll take a look at your chronological reading plan. I think I have a chronological Bible somewhere, but I may want to read it in a different translation.

    Reply

      • Rose and Cynthia – I will be sending out the full schedule and a detailed post tomorrow, but to get you through, the first readings of the chronological are Genesis 1-11…then the whole book of Job…then back to finish Genesis. That should get you through one day. 🙂

        Reply

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