This entry is in no way intended to minimize the conviction of those who love to read the Bible through in a year. What follows is simply an alternative to that method – one that has worked best for me. 

I am a slow reader and have always had difficulty with reading comprehension. As a result, walking with God slowly through the Bible is, for me, is not only a conviction, but a necessity.

Nick Watts

I stumbled across this blog by professor, author, and defender of the Christian faith, Sean McDowell, and thought it was brilliant.  Why?  Because McDowell offers encouragement to those who, desperately trying to read the Bible through in a year, grow discouraged and quit when they fall behind in the designated schedule. From the article:

Why should [reading the Bible through in a year] be our goal? Why should our Scripture reading be about how much we read? There is undoubtedly value in daily Scripture reading. My point is not to minimize this important discipline. But honestly, how much do people really retain after the “Bible in a year plan”? My suspicion is that it may be less than we think… We should have a different goal. Rather than focusing on quantity by aiming to get through Bible entirely…focus on quality.  (**You can read McDowell’s full blog here.)

There is an interesting word you’ll stumble across while reading through the Psalms:  “Selah.”

The Hebrew word for “Selah” – “סֶלֶסֶלֶה” – literally means “pause.” 

In others words, it’s a “rest” within a musical score.

One preacher defined it as, “Pause; and think about that.”

“Selah” helps me stop and think deeply, asking God to help me understand what he’s trying to say to me. It provides me with time to wrestle with the hard passages without worrying about falling behind in a reading plan.

A professor of mine shared the following,

“I decided to read the passion narratives (torture, execution and resurrection of Jesus) in all four Gospels thirty-six times in the original Greek language.  I can tell you that slowed everything down. It took a long time. But, it changed me.  I saw things I had never seen before.”

If you find yourself discouraged from falling behind, or feeling like you don’t have enough time to absorb what God’s showing you, consider this:  “slow your roll”, relax your pace, and stroll through “the countryside of God’s Kingdom.”  Find a “park bench.” And rest for a while.

You may not read an entire chapter a day.  It may be only a few verses – or maybe one single verse.  You may sense God saying to you, “Rather than forge ahead, let’s come back to this same passage tomorrow. There’s no hurry.”

It’s sort of like God whispering to me, “Until you learn what I’m trying to teach you in this particular passage we’re not going any further.”

Personally, I have often returned to the previous day’s scripture over and over again, taking time to memorize it, “chewing on it” for a while. This is the precise imagery behind the numerous passages related to “meditating on God’s Word.” David prayed,

“Help me to understand what your precepts mean. Then I can meditate on your marvelous teachings.” – Psalms 119:27

So consider taking your foot off the gas and pumping the brakes a little, and just enjoy your visit with Jesus as you mine the treasure of his powerful Word.

I’ve taken seven “trips” through the scriptures (reading a different translation each time) – every time using this slower pattern. I began my present journey through the Bible almost three years ago, and I still haven’t reached the end. I write and scribble notes, thoughts, and questions in the margins while highlighting passages and verses the Holy Spirit is using to give me deeper, more nuanced understanding.

Parenthetically, why is it that we can read the Bible numerous times and see things we didn’t see the last time? Most often, it’s because, since the last time we read a particular passage, we’ve “lived more life”, enduring seasons of pain we had not yet experienced the last time we read it. As such, we see truth we might not have been as sensitive to the last time.

That’s what the 19th century British preacher, Charles Spurgeon, meant when he said,

“Nobody ever outgrows Scripture.  The book widens and deepens with our years.” 

Consider the following…

The Bible is actually an anthology – a collection of books – 66 to be exact. It takes time to read 66 books. For me, it takes years. And I can honestly say that every single “adventure” I take through the Bible – I discover treasure I had not seen before.

Allow yourself to be drawn into the presence of the wild, untamable Lion of Judah.

Take a walk with the Great Shepherd through the “green pastures and quiet, still waters.”

When you do, you will find him whispering to you,…

“This is what I want to tell you today. Let’s talk about it together. I have a lot to show you. My Word will transform your life by helping you get to know me, giving you wisdom, and preparing you for the trials to come.”

Sola Scriptura, Nick