Read The Bible in a Week
Read the Bible, all of it, in one week.
On holiday I normally pretend I’m away, panic about what I’ve missed and irritate my team by ‘checking in’. I need a break, they need a break too. Have I read the bible? Bits of it.
So, here’s the plan:
- Read the Bible.
- All of it.
- In one week.
I’m not the first to do this, and I really hope I’m not the last. A quick Google on the Wednesday before I broke up for my holiday explains the process and points to some valuable resources.
As recommended, I purchased this
It arrived on Friday, the same day I told MHM of my plan. It was to start Sunday and finish on Saturday. I also let my church pastoral contact, Janice, know.
Day 1
✅
Day 2
David and Saul's next battle might be over the headache they've created.
Day 3
‘I’d rather have a bowl of vegetables with someone I love than a steak with someone I hate.’ Or…’We can make our own plans but our Lord will determine the steps.’ So Proverbs featured.
As did the conclusion of Solomon, the rather racy Song of Songs, and lots of Kings, most of whom appear to fail to learn. All rather bloody…
Elijah and Elisha featured heavily and at times rather miraculously in some very complex times.
Day 4
Jonah was a gentle start. Incredibly hard work. By far the hardest day.
Amos’ anger continues with some of the other prophets receiving equally damning outcomes to pass on. Isaiah becomes somewhat less hopeful in the latter part with the enormity of God becoming very very clear. Jeremiah is a confusing jumble of beautiful prose, earthly destruction with snippets as sad as Hosea and Messianic prophecy as hopeful as Isaiah.
More Kings, Micah, Chronicles, Psalms, Zephaniah… things are warming up.
Kings Hezekiah and Josiah are good eggs (or at least not bad figs!), though Josiah’s clarity and efficiency of mission is terrifying. Beyond that there is a frustrating lack of compliance from the people of Israel and Judah.
The Babylonian exile is confusing and Daniel (who also goes by Baltheazzar…because we definitely need more names) is interpreting Nebuchadnezzar’s dreams.
My head is spinning and although I am frustrated by the lack of scriptural understanding (or opportunity to dive) MHM is encouraging, and says I’m talking like quite a lot has sunk in.
Roll on the NT, it’s time for some evidenced salvation.
Day 5
At 2pm I finished the OT.
At 2.10pm I was in St Andrew’s, I prayed; “I’m sorry” and “thank you”.
I visited Janice.
I cried.
Today has finished with Jairus’ daughter ‘waking up’. A whirlwind dash of miracles and healings and political upset. I particularly like Luke’s style.
What a day.
Day 6
From Jesus’ early ministry (the roman coin made me laugh out loud!) through to arrest, conviction, death and resurrection and then to Acts, early church founding, extensive travelling and the very human troubles experienced by early believers, and the conflict (still) with champions of the old ways…wow.
The clarity of The Message, The (new) Way, the freedom and salvation so soon after the death and resurrection of Jesus described with such conviction and confidence by Paul in Galatians is stunning.
Perhaps a little in contrast to the rule book he goes on to write in Corinthians - beautiful writing, sublime (divine), breathtaking. And then in places, probably because of the utter accessibility of the language used, one may respond with an ‘ouch’…and then I found myself checking the date again…still only About 25 years after Jesus had died…but it's only 3 days since I read from the scripture now being quoted. The connecting threads bring only further clarity.
So Paul has been on his three tours, he has written and preached beautifully; having moved so quickly from the Gospels I'm amazed at the warmth Paul writes to the Romans, especially when I consider (the quickly researched context of the Jewish expulsion and re-admittance by the Roman Empire)...I particularly like Paul's chummy 'say hellos' towards the end of some of his letters...I paraphrase.
..and just as I begin to breathe a sigh of relief, Paul has returned to Jerusalem...my day has ended with the words 'and the crowd followed behind, shouting "Kill him, kill him!"'
Hang on, I've already been there once today. This is exhausting.
Day 7
Well, it is done.
Paul appears to be in Rome…though I understand he’d hoped to get to Spain.
The political structures of the empire combined with the ‘what?’-like response from the Roman folk at Paul’s continuing detention was fascinating. His writing continued to be beautiful.
James. Wow. Succinct.
It clicked that the Gospel’s Luke was with Paul…fascinating…
The Love of God, Jesus is the way. To do anything else is to deny Jesus. Powerful throughout.
The final words of Paul in 2 Timothy are both joyous, full of hope and eager anticipation but so, so sad.
The early exasperation of Hebrews…and the description (again) of the tearing of the curtain hiding the most holy place which is now accessible to us all…
It was by faith…It was by faith…It was by faith…
I think Hebrews is one of my favourites.
3 John screams of the Wesleyan-like support of itinerant mission. I read the first half of Revelation sat in a pew in St Andrew’s. I read the symbol-heavy second half on my knees at the top altar: (I couldn’t keep being deaf to the words ‘come up here’)
After I finished (and wiped away my tears), I closely examined the cross. In the centre, bathed in bright sunlight, was the Lamb of God.
Lord, I am sorry. Thank you. Amen.
