How to Read the Bible Cover-to-Cover in 2023

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. —Psalm 119:105

REASONS to read the whole Bible cover-to-cover in 2023
“I want God’s guidance”

For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching a light, and the reproofs of discipline are the way of life —Proverbs 6:23

“I want to hear God’s voice”

Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. —Hebrews 1:1–2

“I want a rock-solid, black-and-white standard by which to test spiritual experiences and impressions”

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. —1 John 4:1

“I want to know what God is like”

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. 9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. —Isaiah 55:8–9

“I want to give others God’s wisdom, not worldly or demonic wisdom”

I myself am satisfied about you, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able to instruct one another. —Romans 15:14

“I have a healthy suspicion of religious teachers”

Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. —Acts 17:11

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel across sea and land to make a single proselyte, and when he becomes a proselyte, you make him twice as much a child of hell as yourselves.” —Matthew 23:15

“I want to give an account of myself to God from my best understanding of His Word, not my teachers, influencers, or denominational affiliation.”

So then each of us will give an account of himself to God. —Romans 14:12

What about all my EXCUSES?!?!?

“It’s confusing.”

There are some things in them [Paul’s letters] that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures. —2 Peter 3:16b

“It’s difficult.”

“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. 14 For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.” —Matthew 7:13–14

“It’s irrelevant to our culture.”

So Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?” 68 Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, 69 and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.” —John 6:67–69

“Leviticus”

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. —2 Timothy 3:16–17

“I want God to speak to me on my terms and without me having to put in any effort.”

You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. —Jeremiah 29:13

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, 46 who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.” —Matthew 13:45–46

“I don’t have time”

Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. —Ephesians 5:15–17

TV is more entertaining than the Bible. Video games are more fun than the Bible. The dopamine hit that you get from people liking your social media posts is stronger than the one you usually get reading the Bible. It’s time to make a decision: “Am I after God’s wisdom, guidance, and revelation, or am I after entertainment, fun, and warm fuzzy feelings?”

How Do I read the Bible cover-to-cover in 2023?

1. Devote time in Your Schedule
2. Pick a solid translation
    Word-for-Word: ESV, NASB, LSB, LEB
    Idea-for-Idea: NLT
    Middle Ground: NIV
3. READ (without narration)
    Read FOUR chapters a day, six days a week
    THREE Chapters / Day + FIVE Chapters every Sunday
4. READ (with narration)
    15 minutes/day (or ten minutes/day @ 1.5 speed)
   o 72 Hours for an audio Bible x 60 minutes = 4,320 minutes
   o 15 minutes/ day = 288 Days
    Mobile – YouVersion Bible App PICTURE
    Online – www.Bible.com

KEY RECOMMENDATIONS

1. Join others at One Missoula Church
   Manual steps
   o Download the YouVersion Bible App
   o Click the “Discover” tab on the bottom of the Home Screen
   o Search for One Missoula Church and click our logo
   o Click “Set as My church”
2. Use a Reading Plan: BibleProject 365 Day on YouVersion App / Bible.com
3. Watch the Bible Project Videos on YouTube for…
   … an Overview of the Old Testament
   … an Overview of the New Testament
   … each book of the Bible before (and after?) you read it
4. Use Study Bibles CAREFULLY: Scripture is inspired; human commentary is not.
    Recommendation for study and understanding: Faithlife Study Bible
    Recommendation for real life application: Life Application Study Bible
5. Highlight things that stand out and then come back to them after you’ve finished your reading
6. Journal questions and thoughts as they arise
7. This ALWAYS gives you something substantial to talk about
8. When you miss a day, get back up and start a new streak!