The Bible is an ancient religious text that has captivated readers for centuries. As the basis of the Christian faith, the Bible is widely regarded as a spiritual and historical cornerstone. While its influence is vast, the challenge of finding the time to read it can be just as insurmountable. But how long would it actually take to read the Bible?
The Bible is a collection of 66 books, divided among the Old and New Testaments. The Old Testament includes 39 books, while the New Testament has 27. At a cursory glance, it appears that the Bible can be read in a relative short amount of time. To read every single word would take around 71 hours, or just under three full days.
However, to truly appreciate the Bible’s contents, a more thoughtful and in-depth approach is needed. Commentaries from experts note that the Bible was written in a stylised way, with many of its stories and ideas mired in symbolism and imagery. As such, the Bible is often not just read, but studied. To study the Bible in detail would take substantial time, with many experts noting that a single read-through will take between 1 to 3 years, depending on the depth of the study.
But even then, experts say that the Bible should be read over and over again. Professor Robert Wales, a renowned religious and biblical scholar, notes that reading the Bible multiple times allows readers to discover how the text evolves over time. Wales emphasises that the Bible contains ‘an endless array of new ideas and insights,’ and that careful consideration of the text’s many layers can be a particularly rewarding process.
The Bible also contains many stories and themes that can offer readers a great idea of comfort, whether it is regarding faith or simply feeling inspired. Dr Joseph von der Heide, a Christian researcher, believes that to get the full, comforting effect of the Bible, readers should spend a ‘considerable’ amount of time crafting their understanding of the text.
The time required to read the Bible can depend on many factors, from the type of reading and studying to the individual. William Dickens, a Christian author and theologian, recommends that readers take their time to craft their own understanding of the Bible, even if it takes hundreds of hours. He believes that if this process is cooked right, it can be a ‘life-changing’ experience.
Topic 1 – Understanding Bible Structure
When it comes to reading the Bible, it is important to understand its basic structure. The Old Testament has 39 books and is largely made up of historical and moral tales, while the New Testament is composed of 27 books and is focused more on Jesus’ life and the writings of his apostles.
Experts advise readers to first familiarise themselves with the Bible’s layout, as this will help them to develop an understanding of the text. Understanding the Bible’s structure offers readers an insight into the historic context and allows them to see where passages connect to one another.
Additionally, it is useful for readers to focus on one book at a time, as this allows them to develop a better appreciation for the Bible’s message. Bishop Spencer Orme, a Christian author, suggests that readers should spend an entire month focusing solely on a single book of the Bible, as this gives them time to reflect on the reading material and meditate upon its meaning.
Finally, readers should break up their readings as a means of better understanding the Bible’s message. Professor Wales recommends that readers take at least 10 minutes every day to read a section of the Bible, giving them a regular schedule for steadily improving their understanding of the text.
Topic 2 – Finding Sources for Bible Study
Although the Bible is itself an ancient and profound text, it is important for modern readers to understand the wider context of its contents. Doing so is easier with the help of additional sources, and there is no shortage of books and websites dedicated to understanding the Bible.
One popular resource is bible.org, which provides a wide range of articles and study materials, including summaries of certain parts of the Bible. It also has a range of interactive activities, such as quizzes and puzzles, that can help readers to better understand certain passages. On top of this, bible.org also provides regular blog posts and commentaries from scholars and experts, offering more contemporary insights into the Bible’s message.
Other comprehensive sources include biblehub.com, bible.study and biblica.com. Biblehub.com offers a comprehensive range of readings, from books to commentaries, and has an extensive library of multimedia content for readers to enjoy. Bible.study provides readers with in-depth resources related to the Bible, such as summaries, quizzes and videos. And finally, biblica.com offers readers a broad range of translations and insights into the Bible, including concordances, commentaries and even daily devotionals for dedicated readers.
In addition to these sources, many Christian churches host weekly Bible study groups, which are great opportunities for readers to reflect upon their readings with fellow believers. There are also a number of online Bible study groups, such as the eBibleStudy.org forum and the Crossway.org Bible study forum, both of which offer readers a chance to discuss their understanding of the Bible with other readers.
Topic 3 – Types of Bible Reading
The best approach to reading the Bible will vary depending on an individual’s needs and goals, as different types of reading can offer different benefits. For example, some readers may opt for a generalist approach, which focuses on a broad overview of all the books in the Bible. This type of reading offers readers a bird’s eye view of the Bible and can be done relatively quickly.
Others may opt for a ‘book by book’ approach, which focuses on a single book of the Bible for a lengthy period of time. This type of reading allows readers to become deeply entrenched in the text and its many layers, allowing them to experience its full breadth and depth.
Lastly, some readers opt for a ‘devotional’ reading, which focuses more on spiritual growth than comprehension. The aim of this type of reading is to use the Bible as a tool for self-reflection and meditation, allowing readers to be inspired by the Bible’s many stories and themes.
Overall, the best type of reading will depend on a person’s needs and desires. For those who are simply looking to get a broad overview of the Bible, a generalist approach may be better. For readers who want to gain a deeper understanding of the Bible, a book by book approach is probably best. Devotional readers, meanwhile, should focus on reading the Bible with a spiritual mindset, striving to be inspired by its many messages.
Topic 4 – Bible Reading Schedule
The pace at which one reads the Bible can be just as important as the type of reading. A reader’s daily schedule should reflect their desired outcome with regards to reading the Bible. For example, word-for-word readers should focus on going through a certain amount of pages by the end of the day, while book-by-book readers should focus on reaching a certain chapter by day’s end.
More generalist readers may want to focus on reading the Bible in passes; they should read the Bible up until a certain point and then start over to gain a different perspective. When readers work this way, they can ensure that they are always up to date with the Bible while avoiding reading ‘in circles’.
Overall, readers should strive to find a balance between their daily life and their schedule for reading the Bible. Many resources suggest taking at least 10 minutes a day, though this may vary depending on a reader’s lifestyle and interests. This should be seen as a starting point for readers, who may then adjust their schedule as needed.
Adopting a regular scheduling and focusing on a particular approach to reading the Bible is essential to getting the most out of the ancient text. By crafting an understanding of the Bible’s structure, finding the right sources and discovering their ideal type of reading, readers can work towards crafting a rewarding understanding of the Bible.
