13 Bible Reading – Are There Any Final Instructions Before I Begin Reading The Books Of The Bible?
A Transcript Of The Video Study
Having completed the preliminary studies for Bible Reading, we are set to begin with the book of Genesis. However, before jumping immediately into the first book of the Bible, I recommend we take a break for a couple of weeks. Between now and then, there are three things I would like for you to do.
First, be sure to download and/or purchase the recommended navigational tools.
To be clear what these are, there is first,
1. The Chronological Charts Of Bible Books, Jared Smith
2. The Framework Of Sovereign Grace, Jared Smith
3. The Synchronological Map Of World History, Sebastian Adams
4. The Key To The Synchronological Map Of World History, Attic Books
5. Annals Of The World, James Ussher
6. Olive Tree Bible Software
7. Alexander Scourby’s Bible Audio
The first two resources were produced by me, and are free of charge. The remaining five resources were produced by others and must be purchased. You will find a link to these resources listed on the Association of Historic Baptists, under the side category called “Jared Smith, Bible Reading”.
You may ask, “Why have you included the Olive Tree Bible Software and Alexander Scourby’s Bible Audio? I do not remember you mentioning these items in previous studies.”
Well, Olive Tree Bible Software is the Bible App that I regularly use, and I therefore commend it to you. It is a free download, but I would recommend you purchase Strong’s Concordance which dynamically links to the words of scripture. This will enable you to look up the meaning of Bible words and allow you to examine how those words are used throughout the scriptures.
As for Alexander Scourby’s Bible Audio, this is a recording of Mr. Scourby reading through the books of the Bible. Although it can be purchased in MP3 format, Olive Tree Bible Software also makes it available for purchase through their App. I highly recommend you use this resource when reading through the books of the Bible. Not only will Mr. Scourby maintain a good reading pace, but he will also make the reading less demanding on you as he will do most of the heavy lifting. Additionally, the Word of God will enter the heart and mind more efficiently if it enters through the ears as well as the eyes. Here, allow me to give an example of Scourby reading the first Psalm (Audio Plays). Do you see? If you use Scourby’s audio while reading through the scriptures, it can serve as a great help for your journey through the Bible.
And so, these resources should be downloaded and/or purchased, accessible to you, before reading the book of Genesis. But there is another thing you should do.
Second, take the opportunity to review the preliminary studies.
You may not have appreciated it at the time, but I designed the previous studies to answer some of the most common questions and to clarify some of the leading points of confusion among Bible readers. We considered the following questions:
1. What Is The Logical Arrangement Of The Bible Books?
2. What Are The Basic Divisions Of A Timeline?
3. Who Are The Jews And The Gentiles?
4. Does God Have A Purpose For The Jewish People Today?
5. What Is The Leading Message Of The Bible?
6. How Does The Abrahamic Covenant Differ From The Covenants Of Works And Grace?
7. How Does The Mosaic Covenant Differ From The Covenants Of Works And Grace?
8. How Does The Mosaic Covenant Fit Into The Leading Message Of The Bible?
9. To What Do The Labels “Old Testament” And “New Testament” Refer?
10. How Were The Old Testament Saints Saved?
11. Are There Any Navigational Tools That May Guide Me On My Journey Through The Bible?
12. How Do I Use The Chronological Charts Of Bible Books?
Now, let me ask you—are you able to properly and efficiently answer these questions in your own words? If so, then there is no need to go back and look at these studies again. If not, then it should be self-evident that you do need to review the material. And remember, you are not reviewing these studies so that you can be equipped to teach them to someone else. Rather, you are reviewing them so that YOU will be equipped to begin reading the book of Genesis in a couple of weeks time.
And so, first, be sure to download and/or purchase the recommended navigational tools. And then second, take the opportunity to review the preliminary studies. This then brings us to the third thing I would like for you to do.
Third, prioritize your activities, organize your schedule and maximize your time.
To read one book of the Bible each week, and to do it in a single sitting, is a commitment that will require you to make some changes in your current workflow. Believe me, unless you make those changes now, you will find it almost impossible to read the book of Genesis in a single sitting in a couple of weeks time. More than that, unless you get your activities, schedule and timing sorted out now, you will never be in a position to faithfully read the other books of the Bible week by week. I am not sure you have fully considered just how long it takes to read through some of the books of the Bible.
The longest book of the Old Testament is the book of Psalms, taking just over 4 hours to read. The book of Jeremiah takes almost 4 hours to read; the book of Isaiah takes just over three and a half hours to read; and the book of Genesis takes just under three and a half hours to read. But of course, this must be balanced with the shorter books. The book of Obadiah takes just 4 minutes to read; the book of Haggai takes 6 minutes to read; and the book of Jonah takes just 7 minutes to read. So, while there will be some weeks that will require you to set aside a large portion of time in order to read a book of the Bible in a single sitting, yet there will be other weeks that will require only a few minutes to complete the reading. Either way, I emphasize the point that I am driving at—you must prioritize your activities and organize your schedule, if you are to maximize your time to fulfill your commitment to read a book of the Bible each week.
Now, it is always good to have a contingency plan. If, for instance, there is a week you suspect will prove too difficult to read the upcoming book of the Bible in a single sitting, then you should be prepared for that eventuality. Divide the book into segments, and be ready to read a portion of it each day of the week. Now, of course, this should be a Plan B, and an exception to the rule. If at all possible, your main goal should be to read each Bible book in a single sitting. But you see, these exceptions to the rule are the types of things you need to consider and prepare for, prior to beginning your journey through the books of the Bible.
I am reminded of the instructions given by the Apostle Paul to Timothy—1 Timothy 4:13: ”Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.”
Paul was in Macedonia when he wrote this letter to Timothy, and it was his hope to make a personal visit to Timothy in Ephesus. “But,” says Paul, “Till I come—till I am able to see you face to face—be sure to give attendance; be sure to take heed; be sure to apply yourself; be sure to devote yourself—to what? To reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.” These were things for Timothy to do in his private time and for himself; they were separate and apart from his public ministry as a gospel preacher. For his own profit, he was to devote himself to the reading of the Bible, and his faithful reading of God’s Word would do for him two things—it would give him exhortation (which could be translated consolation or comfort), and doctrine (or teaching). Do you see? As a result of reading through the Bible, Timothy’s heart would be comforted and his mind would be instructed. Reading! Not studying; not memorizing; not meditating; but reading. There is no substitute for the regular and systematic reading of God’s Word.
My dear friends, I want to encourage you to do with the Bible what Paul encouraged Timothy to do—give attendance to reading! If you make the reading of the Word of God a top priority in your weekly schedule, then I believe you will derive from scripture the same benefit as Timothy—your heart will be comforted and your mind will be instructed. Two weeks from today. That will be the time we will aim to read the book of Genesis. Until then, may you be successful obtaining the necessary resources, reviewing the preliminary studies and reorganizing your priorities and schedule.
Jared Smith
Jared Smith served twenty years as pastor of a Strict and Particular Baptist church in Kensington (London, England). He now serves as an Evangelist in the Philippines, preaching the gospel, organizing churches and training gospel preachers.
Jared Smith on Eldership
Jared Smith on the Biblical Covenants
Jared Smith on the Gospel Law
Jared Smith on the Gospel Message
Jared Smith on Various Issues
Jared Smith, Covenant Baptist Church, Philippines
Jared Smith on Bible Doctrine
Jared Smith on Bible Reading
Jared Smith's Studies in Romans
Jared Smith's Hymn Studies
Jared Smith's Maternal Ancestry (Complete)
Jared Smith's Sermons
