How To Read The Bible HOW TO READ THE BIBLE THROUGH

This booklet is written by a dear saint, Philip Green, who visited Singapore by Philip Green, M.A.
in 1980.
READ IT THROUGH by Amos Wells
He was an elderly man probably in his sixties then. According to my pastor, I supposed I knew the Bible,
his life was so transformed by the words of the living God through the many reading piecemeal, hit or miss,
years he spent reading the precious words of God that he was truly a very Now a bit of John or Matthew,
humble man, unassuming in his ways and his life truly manifested the grace Now a snatch of Genesis;
of God in meekness and humility. When most speakers engaged to speak in Certain chapters of Isaiah
conferences were put up in hotels, he was housed in an old school building certain Psalms (the twenty-third),
instead. Apparently, even Christendom does not appreciate true godliness Twelfth of Romans, First of Proverbs,
and piety. Should the Lord Jesus Christ returns, we should not expect the yet I thought I knew the word.
vast majority of the Christian world to welcome Him with warm embrace. As But I found a thorough reading
such like the Scriptures say, “When the Son of man cometh, shall he find was a different thing to do,
faith on the earth?” And the way was unfamiliar
when I read the Bible through
Here is an email sent to me from the daughter of Brother Green. You who like to play at Bible,
“God took him to his eternal reward October 4, 2001. I had wished I Dip and dabble here and there
could somehow get this information on the internet and here it is. Thank you Just before you kneel a-weary,
so much for your work. and yawn out a hurried prayer;
Daddy read the Bible through daily almost until his death. I have his You who treat the (crown of writing)
calendar where he marked it each time he finished…. He read it as you treat no other book –
through….every day…for many years. Believing that as you read it over and Just a paragraph disjointed,
over again…your reading speed increases..making it easy to read the Bible Just a crude, impatient look –
through many…many times. Try a worthier procedure,
I appreciate you giving the credit of the booklet and much of his try a broad and steady view,
information to  Philip Green. There have been people through the years to You will kneel in very rapture
print much of this material…almost word for word…and put their own name When You Read The Bible Through.
on the article. I thank you for your honesty.”
<+> Habit changing facts about Bible reading come to light in the following
Nevetheless, faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God. Any pages.
child of God endeavoring to acquire more faith must spend time in the words <+> By questions and answers over a time of 28 years and over 10,000 days,
of the living God. For we are commanded to give attendance to reading, to reading 30 pages every single day and some days many more, 4 words form
exhortation, to doctrine. (1 Timothy 4:13) Brother Green has some very good the basis of a new, rich habit reading the Bible through.
points on how to read through the Holy Bible. May your faith be <+> It is my only wish in this publication to give you the essentials to begin
strengthened as you seek to read the Scriptures to know God’s will for your and maintain a daily reading habit through the Bible.
life! <+> Keep this publication in your reading Bible, not only for your own
reference, but to help the many hungry men and women, boys and girls, to
share the joy of reading the Bible through several times every year.
 2. Should a definite time be set for daily reading? You set the time.
A table of contents: Arising at 5:00 A.M. every day of the year, I read a set of number of pages in
A Handy Reference Sheet For Your Convenience a minimum time limit of one hour. In 1950 during 3 days of fasting and
(All answered below.) prayer, God told me to read the Bible through over and over. Information
1.What are the 4 THINGS required for successful Bible Reading through? was scarce, so constant research all over the world in the Bible reading field
2. Should a definite time be set for daily reading? You set the time. has been a major part of my life ever since.14 extended trips overseas,
3. What is the real problem with Bible reading? A poor reading habit. reaching 60 nations on all continents, covering over 200,000 miles, and
4. Why have over 90% of Bible believers failed to read the Bible through? spending over four years abroad have given time to research libraries, confer
5. What is considered good reading? How many words per minute? with leaders in the Bible field, to ask thousands of people about their Bible
6. Why should your reading volume be with you always? Extra time to read! reading habits, how it was done, when it was done, how much of the Bible
7. Is it best for each believer to have at least two Bibles? Why was read daily, and did they read straight through the Bible? What problems
8. How did Jesus feel and what did He ask about Bible reading? did they meet along the way and what was done to solve them? Discussions
9. Can the Bible be read successfully in just a few days? See 5. were held with missionaries and teachers of various denominations, colleges
10. How do YOU read? and universities, Bible distribution centers, businessmen, men in the medical
11. If I read through the Bible once or twice, is that enough? and mental fields, and anywhere that Bible reading could be brought into the
12. How does the Bible get into me? Only 2 ways! Both very important! conversation. Reactions were carefully noted and the following paragraphs
13. How should one start a Bible reading through habit? Read books 5 times! are written for the benefit of Bible believers who deeply yearn to become
14. Is it really hard work to establish a Bible reading through habit? Yes! avid readers of the whole Bible, and to live in the light of the eternal Word of
15. Why is daily schedule of pages best? Other plans have failed! God.
16. How long does it take to establish a new reading habit? At least 30 days!3.What is the real problem with Bible reading? A poor reading habit.
17. Will I understand and remember what I read every day? Spirit, our What is the reading problem? 57% of American adults never read a book
Helper! through according to the Gallop poll. Television reports 90% of Americans
18. What about the long lists of names? are in trouble with reading and over 90% of the Bible believers are in trouble
19. How often should I read the Bible through? with their Bible reading. Have you heard this statement- “This BOOK will
20. What 10 things are listed by a reading expert for me to follow? KEEP YOU from sin, or SIN WILL keep YOU from THIS BOOK!” I am
21. What will continuous Bible reading through the Bible do for me? convinced that a lack of the Word of God in personal life is responsible for
22. Will I be successful reading and knowing the Bible? the confusion, frustrations, and bitterness that fills the average personality,
23. Will you give some details of your own reading schedule for 28 years? and this is the cause for much illness and suffering. My Christian Counseling
24. When will the “Bible Reader’s Handbook” be available to us? broadcasts emphasizing the Bible as GOD’S ANSWER BOOK for all
25. Can we write for more facts and will our questions be answered? human problems brings letters filled with hate, envy, sorrow, resentment and
fear.
HOW TO READ YOUR BIBLE THROUGH Dr. McMillen says these five emotions cause at least 60% of all
illness. Three times the Bible warns “Man SHALL NOT LIVE…but by
1. What are the 4 THINGS required for successful Bible Reading EVERY WORD OF GOD!” Personal counseling with thousands around the
through? 10,000 days reading through the Bible began 28 years ago and has world confirms that so little is known about the “sword of the Spirit which is
continued every day since 1950. Successful Bible reading requires 4 things: the Word of God” that it is not being used as God intended – to defeat sin
PURPOSE – to know God and His Word better. PLAN – to read the entire and the devil now in our daily living on earth. The Word of God is the
Bible through in a set number of pages. SCHEDULE – reading a set number believer’s weapon against the devil – a sword. Read it – Know it – Use it –
of pages (not chapters) each day to finish on a set day. RECORD – keeping continue in it reading through it – to be FREE!
records of times read through the Bible, goals in Bible reading through, and
marking a calendar each day when the set number of pages are read.
4. Why have over 90% of Bible believers failed to read the Bible Someone has written that 2/3 of all Bible books (44 of 66) are small
through? It is reported that Americans read 1-1/4 hours a day: newspapers – books, AND CAN BE READ THROUGH, each one of the 44, in 30
30 minutes; magazines – 25 minutes; reports – 20 minutes; NO BIBLE MINUTES OR LESS! IF two small books are read in 1 hour each day, TWO
READING listed. A book has been on the market for years containing THIRDS OF THE ENTIRE BIBLE IS READ THROUGH IN ONLY 22
several pages of good suggestions for Bible reading. Later in the same book, DAYS! IF the remaining 22 longer books are read through, one a day, THE
the author admits he never read the Bible through in his life! When two ENTIRE BIBLE CAN BE READ THROUGH IN 44 DAYS or 6 weeks and
questions were asked in a convention of 3,000, “Do you read the Bible 20 2 DAYS! THAT’S 8 TIMES THROUGH YEARLY!
minutes a day? And “Do you pray 20 minutes a day?” 80%, or 2,400, did If you READ THE Bible through only once a year – 5 pages daily –
not! Several hundred ministers discussed a motion to recommend a Bible you will not remember what you read because your thoughts will not hold
reading program to their people. After several hours of discussion, the together because other thoughts will crowd into the mind, and you are not
motion was `tabled’ (not voted on) because no specific reading plan was taking enough of the Word into your mind and heart to do much good.
found! 6. Why should your reading volume be with you always? Extra time to
Patrick Henry on his deathbed said, “Here is a Book, worth more than read! Be sure to use a Giant print reading Bible, and when it is cut into 7
all others that were ever printed, yet it is my misfortune NEVER TO HAVE volumes of 260 pages each, it is not heavy, you can keep your volume with
FOUND TIME TO READ IT.” Consider that most of the suggestions for you and you should at all times. You can then read in spare moment or while
Bible reading in the past did not produce Bible readers, and I am keeping this waiting. Hundreds of otherwise lost hours can be redeemed by reading the
failure-factor in mind as I continue to write for a Bible hungry, world wide Word continually. I have done this for years with great profits in my life.
audience. Be sure to have a good study Bible. Do not read from your study Bible, and
5. What is considered good reading? How many words per minute? do not study from your reading Bible. One of the things you must stop is
What is considered good reading? The National Reading Institute reports trying to mix reading and study. Reading through the Bible is on a schedule
200 words a minute poor reading. 250 words a minute is good. 400 words a (reading a set number of pages each day to finish at a set date); but study can
minute is excellent. If you read less than 200 words a minute the mind be slow, you can mull over Scriptures as much as you like, mark verses,
wanders off to other things. The mind is a computer that picks up ideas – not BUT NOT WHILE READING YOUR HOUR A DAY!
words. As long as you get the idea from what you read, a better rate of Moody puts it straight for all of us:
reading is yours from practice, practice and more practice, reading from a set “When I READ the Bible ——GOD TALKS TO ME.”
number of pages an hour, then a few more pages the next day, and gradually “When I STUDY ——-I prepare myself to TALK TO OTHERS.”
move your reading rate up and when you go back a bit in your words per 7. Is it best for each believer to have at least two Bibles? Why? This
minute, you will still be doing better than when you get started. distinction and order must not be forgotten. Daily Bible reading a set number
For all considerations we will use the slowest rate – 200 words a of pages daily should be done while you are alone – GOD TALKS TO YOU
minute in following paragraphs. This 200 words per minute is not reading, as you read His Word. Do not share your reading time with anyone but God.
but a suggestion to help you discontinue dragging your reading through the You are not having devotions – you are reading the Bible through! We all
Bible. You can read too fast and you can read too slow – by far the greater easily understand the second – I look up and TALK TO GOD. The third
percentage of Bible readers read much too slow. This is a bad habit. You will “study” is another thing separate from the first two. I have read articles and
lose interest. You will quit reading your Bible through. Slow reading is why books on Bible reading only to find that the author falls into the old trap – he
so many people do not and have not read the Bible through in the past. talks five sentences on reading the Bible and twenty five on study. This is
When you read the Bible at 200 words a minute (about 10 verses), for wrong – he said he was talking about reading the Bible – he was not! You
one hour a day, you WILL read the Bible through in 2 MONTHS or 6 times a must not run reading and study together because they do not mix. You will
year. Are you surprised? Thousands of people are surprised about this. go overboard on “study” and neglect reading. All three should and must be
When you read the Bible at 200 words a minute (and that is slow reading), done without neglecting the others if you want a balanced life in God. As a
for only ½ hour or 30 minutes daily, you will read the Bible through in 4 college teacher, I was told you were not prepared to teach any text book until
MONTHS or 3 times a year! Are you still surprised? you have read it several times through. How are you going to study or teach
any book you have not read? Let us read the Bible through – start today! RECOMMEND THIS RAPID READING, AND PLAN TO DO IT AGAIN
8. How did Jesus feel and what did He ask about Bible reading? Wilbur SOON.
M. Smite wrote “HAVE YOU NOT READ?” in “Christianity Today” and Ravenhill, in his book “Meat For Men” tells of Dr. Sung who was
stated that “Jesus rebuked the Pharisees twice, the Sadducees twice and the placed in the state hospital in White Plaines, New York. He requested a Bible
scribes once FOR NOT READING THE BIBLE.” AND READ IT THROUGH 40 TIMES IN 6 MONTHS, and received a
Jesus repeats the question 11 times “HAVE YOU NOT READ?” in working knowledge of all 1189 chapters in the Bible – EVERY 4-1/2 DAYS
the first 3 Gospels. FOR HALF A YEAR. He was dismissed, completely recovered, from the
“Have you NOT read?” Matt. 12:3. hospital!
“Have YOU not READ in the law?” Matt. 12:5. A blind man heard the Bible read through every 90 days (3 months
“Have you NOT read?” Matt.19:4. or 4 times a year) and once in 4-1/2 days. A mentally ill man read the Bible
“Have YOU NEVER read?” Matt. 21:16. through every 4-1/2 days or 40 times in 6 months. Every blind person and
“Did YOU NEVER read?” Matt. 21:42. all persons not able to read SHOULD LISTEN TO THE BIBLE ON
“Have YOU NOT READ that which was SPOKEN unto you by RECORDS OR TAPE at least an hour a day. 21 MILLION AMERICANS
God?” Matt. 22:31. OVER twenty-one years of age CANNOT READ – they MUST listen by
“Have you NEVER read?” Mark 2:25. records of tapes as the entire Bible is read to them. We all NEED God’s
“Have YOU NOT READ THIS SCRIPTURE?” Mark 12:10. Word and will be without excuse on the day of Judgment!--Will you present
“Have you NOT READ in the BOOK of Moses?” Mark 12:26. a challenge like the lawyer did to Morgan having never read it through? Or
“Have you NOT READ so much as this?” Luke 6:3. will you accept these factual experiences of men who have read the Bible
9. Can the Bible be read successfully in just a few days? See 5. through repeatedly over and over, accept the facts of reading in the right
10. How do YOU read? “HOW READEST thou?” Luke 10:26 spirit, READ YOUR BIBLE THROUGH FOR YOURSELF SEVERAL
Spurgeon picked up a Bible with a hole made all the way through by TIMES OVER and you will be talking from a blessed experience of several
a worm, and he cried out, “Make me a Book worm for Jesus.” reading trips through the Bible, instead of opposing what most believers
Campbell Morgan told an audience the entire Bible could be read since the days of the apostles have failed to do – READ THEIR BIBLES
through in 80 hours at the SLOW READING RATE pastors use in the pulpit. THROUGH!
A lawyer challenged him, admitting that he had never read the Bible through. How do you read? Once in awhile? Hit or miss, wherever the Bibles
Morgan told him to read the Bible through before presenting a public falls open? Only when in trouble or during a storm or the death of a loved
challenge. The lawyer read the Bible through IN LESS THAN 80 HOURS! one? Just morning devotions with the family and a few verses from the
George Muller read the bible through every 90 days (3 months) or 4 Bible? Reading only the Sunday School lesson? Reading a devotional guide
times a year for 25 years, and said, “I am a happy, happy, happy man.” In his instead of the Bible with its tiny “text” from the Bible? Struggle through the
writings he tells of some problems that came up in early morning prayer Bible once a year? Read a short Psalm? Or part of a favorite chapter?Please
hours. He decided TO READ THE BIBLE FIRST each day – his regular understand that every time Jesus referred to “Reading” it was only in
prayer time followed and the problems vanished! relation to reading the Scriptures – Christ never made reference to any other
Alvy Ford, blinded in World War 2, says, “I have the Bible on reading in His ministry!
records, but in reading I turn it up (faster) because I find the thought easier to 11. If I read through the Bible once or twice, is that enough?
follow and keep the thought fresh in my mind. In reading the Bible one must H. Mears wrote, “Don’t suppose you can read the Bible through once and
exercise SELF DISCIPLINE. If I skip several days, I HAVE TO START get its meaning. START OVER AGAIN WHILE THE FIRST TIME
OVER AND FORCE MYSELF TO READ. I have set a DEFINITE THROUGH THE BIBLE IS FRESH IN YOUR MIND, and read the Bible
SCHEDULE – through every 3 months or 4 times a year. I DECIDED TO over and over again until the Bible becomes part of your personality.
SEE HOW QUICKLY I COULD READ THE BIBLE THROUGH – 4-1/2 “HEREIN, I say, is the SOLUTION to every problem under the sun – the
days! QUICK READING GAVE ME A MUCH CLEARER CONCEPT of Bible! Mears warns, “Don’t suppose that reading “LITTLE SCRAPS” will
God’s dealing with people and how God would like to deal with me. I ever give you a knowledge of the Bible.”
12. How does the Bible get into me? Only 2 ways! Both very Read it until your spirit bows in adoration and worship before God. LET ITS
important! Only 2 ways. The EAR gate – HEARING the Bible preached MESSAGE SEARCH YOU THROUGH AND THROUGH until YOU
and proclaimed. The EYE gate – READING the Bible for yourself. BECOME ONE WITH ITS PRECEPTS. This requires DISCIPLINE and
Dr. Stalker spoke for the National Bible Society of Scotland and said, HARD WORK, but the rewards are beyond measure.”
“I was in France with no Protestant church, SO I SPENT SUNDAY 14. Is it really hard work to establish a Bible reading through habit?
READING THE BIBLE HERE AND THERE. But when I came to Romans Yes! You ask how to have a Bible reading schedule in your own life? You
READ IT THROUGH and discovered the theme of the book. It was have been told – it is actually so simple – yet the average believer lives and
revolutionary! I FELT THE FORCE of the book AS A WHOLE, and EVERY dies never knowing the comfort of the Scriptures, simply because he never
BOOK IN THE BIBLE WILL DO THE SAME for you.” read them enough to find out!
Moody testifies, “One week I read Ephesians 93 TIMES THROUGH Never read the Bible hop, skip and jump. Never limit your reading to
(13 times daily for a week) and on Sunday preached without notes under the familiar passages. Do not read a few chapters in the Old Testament and a few
strongest anointing I ever felt in a single service in my life.” chapters in the New Testament. Dr. Scroggie says, “If you read the Bible, a
Dr. Gray longed for many years to be filled with the Word of God, bit from the Old Testament and a bit from the New Testament, you will
but failed to see the way. One day at a conference he met a layman REMAIN IGNORANT OF THE PLAN AND PURPOSE OF GOD IN THE
overflowing in the power of the Word and asked him, “How did this happen BIBLE.”
to you?” The layman answered “BY READING BOOKS OF THE BIBLE Dr. Sidlow Baxtor pleads, “Leave the books of the Bible alone where
OVER AND OVER.” The great preacher was humbled by learning a lesson God has seen fit to put them.” Remember also the chapters and verses are
from a layman he had never discovered in his own ministry. Note the power not actually a part of the Bible. “They should not be allowed to interrupt the
in reading a whole book of the Bible! connect READING OF THE SCRIPTURES…The chapter divisions are
13. How should one start a Bible reading through habit? Read books 5 usually attributed to Stephan Langton, Archbishop of Canterbury in England.
times! FOR YEARS when people have sincerely asked “How should I start a The verse divisions of the Old Testament by Rabbi Nathan in 1148, and the
Bible reading schedule in my own life?” I have answered thus – If you have New Testament verse by a printer of Paris, Robert Staphanus.”
never read the Bible through, PLAN NOW TO START READING EACH 15. Why is daily schedule of pages best? Other plans have failed!
BOOK OF THE BIBLE THROUGH AT LEAST FIVE TIMES before going Reading the Bible through by a SCHEDULE OF PAGES has worked well
on to the next book in the Bible. Remember if you ever come into a for me all these years, and thousands of people in many lands testify that the
knowledge of the Bible, it must be first a knowledge of Bible books – every page reading makes it easier to read the same amount of Bible each day.
book in the Bible – because the Holy Spirit wrote the Bible by books, and Chapters and verse serve a purpose in finding references when you need
the Bible is a Divine Library of 66 books for all of us to READ and KNOW them and that is good. Otherwise they have no purpose, and reading the
and OBEY to be FREE! Bible through, over and over, by a set number of pages daily, brings an order
These trips through the Bible books and eventually the entire Bible to your reading through the Bible that helps to strengthen the habit of daily
book by book give you a Broad view of the whole Word of God and without Bible reading by reading the same amount of pages every day.
this over-all view of the Bible, you will never quite know where you are in Why do so many people fail to read the Bible through? Because reading is a
separate books. The quickest and soundest and most enjoyable foundation in HABIT – under-developed in most individuals. Even some college graduates
the total Bible is to go over each book at least five times and Dr. Gray makes are not good readers. The secret is practice and more practice. Have a certain
the following suggestions that makes very clear what has been written in the time to read each day, convenient to your life. Stick to it. Never skip a single
last two paragraphs. day.
Dr. Gray suggests, (1) Read the book continually WITHOUT 16. How long does it take to establish a new reading habit? At least 30
REFERENCE TO CHAPTERS AND VERSES. (2) Read it REPEATEDLY days! It takes 30 days to establish a better reading habit pushing and
until you possess an outline. (3) Read it only at first, without reference to practicing every day. Sorry to say, most people will not continue and thus
commentaries or helps. (4) Read it relying on the Holy Spirit who wrote it fail to get out of the rut of old reading habits formed years ago. Have you
through inspired men, and will enlighten its pages to your understanding. (5) heard someone say, “I read slow to get it.” The fact really is you read slow
because you never tried to read any other way. TREASURES THERE.” It is entirely up to you. Make the fairest and best
16. decision that you can for the best in eternity. The Book will be there when
17. Will I understand and remember what I read every day? Spirit, our you arrive. How will you really feel, glad or sad at the sight of the world’s
Helper! When reading the Bible, you have the Holy Spirit as Guide and most wonderful and only inspired and living Book?
Teacher. Moody said, “When you read the Bible through, ENJOY what you What are the 7 rules for better reading?
understand, knowing the Holy Spirit will reveal new truths as you continue 1. PRE-READ – Look the book over, title page, contents, headings,
reading.” The Holy Spirit will “bring back to your remembrance” what you author, look over the first and last chapters of the book. Authors state their
read and know in the Bible, but you must put things in the mind that can be case in chapter one and summarize in the last chapter.
recalled by the Spirit. 2. SHIFT SPEED – Let eyes go over print like a car goes over
18. What about the long lists of names? There are not that many lists in different roadbeds, sometimes slow down and sometimes speed up.
the Bible. If all the lists of names were in one section of the Bible, they could 3. READ PHRASES – even paragraphs – do not read one word at a
easily be read in ½ hour or less. The names in the Old Testament are time.
important because they show the line by which Christ came to be our 4. Read With PURPOSE – there are really 4: Information – New
Saviour. Would you stay off a freeway because of a few miles of rough road? Ideas – Enrichment – Relaxation.
I doubt it. There are times reading through the Bible when you will speed up 5. Concentrate – you can read too slow, just like too fast. You
a bit and there will be times when it will be best to slow down a bit. We only remember only 20% of what you read, regardless of slow or fast reading.
remember 20% of what we read, and that is the reason for repeated readings Skim names and small details. Knowing BIG points will bring the little ones
through the Bible. into memory and focus. Try it and see.
19. How often should I read the Bible through? Dr. Moule puts it right 6. Find and follow the MAIN thought. Remember – when you have
when he says, “No matter what your study method, BE ALWAYS READING heard a speaker, and you later tell a friend what he said – you really report
YOUR BIBLE THROUGH.” We read it all so we will know what part we what you remember he said – NEVER do you report what the speaker said
need to return to for the purpose of study. word for word – if you talk that way, why not read that way? It does work!
What about the schedule for reading the Bible through? How to find time to read that book. Lydia Roberts said: 1. Talk less.
We give you SIX SCHEDULES OF READING TO BE FAIR WITH 2. Carry book with you. 3. Keep book under pillow for sleepless nights. 4.
EVERYONE. Wake up 15 minutes early to read. 5. Keep the book with you at all times –
The reading Bible you should use should be big print and not marked much. read while waiting.
5 PAGES DAY Through in 365 days Read through 1 Time Year Again be reminded READING IS A HABIT. If we obey Jesus we
10 PAGES DAY Through in 180 days Through 6 months – 2 Times Year will read the Bible through because Jesus was concerned about Bible reading
15 PAGES DAY Through in 120 days Through 4 months – 3 Times Year in His day. Some read only the New Testament, but the Bible is one Book
20 PAGES DAY Through in 90 days Through 3 months – 4 Times Year and if all references in the New Testament to the Old Testament were
30 PAGES DAY Through in 60 days Through 2 months – 6 Times Year removed, you would have only a few chapters left! Be honest about it. No
60 PAGES DAY Through in 30 days Through 1 months – 12 Times Year one fully understands and enjoys the New Testament who does not read and
260 pages, average pages, to each of 7 volumes. No one is asking anyone to know the Old Testament as well. Be determined to read the whole of the
follow any certain schedule. You make the choice honestly. If you do not Bible several times a year all the way through.
follow a schedule in Bible reading, the chances are slim that you will ever Can you give a summary of what you have written?
read the Bible through. The devil and circumstances will see to it that, Let us review from the words of reading specialist. Realize that new
without discipline and determination, you will never read your Bible discoveries in the reading field have changed things permanently. You need
through. not become a speed reader, but everyone should practice to be a better
How Often should I read the Bible through? J. Hamilton said, “The reader, and should obey certain rules of reading. No matter the speed that
Word of God still will stand 1,000 readings, and HE WHO HAS GONE you read – we only remember 20% – “so be always reading the Bible
OVER IT THE MOST FREQUENTLY, is the SUREST OF FINDING NEW through.”
20. What 10 things are listed by a reading expert for me to follow? Last The king is told he needs “the Book.” V18. “It shall be WITH him”…
April the Tampa Tribune invited Dr. Ratz, a reading specialist who reads always. V19. Why? V19 “he shall READ THEREIN ALL the DAYS OF
25,000 words a minute, to address 300 people in a double session at the HIS LIFE:”
International Inn. She was great! I sat with ears in my eyes as she told what
could be done by understanding reading and comprehension better, and then 7 Blessings Of Bible Reading
she said, “Most you have come here in vain – what I have to say to you will 1. LEARN to fear the Lord.
not believe – and I can’t help you.” 2. KNOW what laws to keep.
I talked to some teachers after the double session – they got nothing 3. Kept humble.
out of what she said. A legal secretary laughed and said, “It’s not for me.” 4. Established – not turn
One person rudely interrupted several times because she did not understand 5. Long Life
either. My wife went home, believing what she heard about reading and 6. CONTINUE – his kingdom
increased her own reading speed from 300 to 700 words a minute with 90% 7. Blessed children
comprehension. I could write a book on what Dr. Ratz said, I hardly looked
up but took notes for the entire 120 minutes that I use to this day. 7 BLESSINGS WILL RESULT:
Dr. Ratz made several suggestions and I list just a few: 1,2...MENTAL…Mind needs the WORD!
“If you read a book in 6 weeks, you have not read it, you have only played 3-5…Physical, Social, Emotional WORD!
with it, and you will not remember what you read.” 6…Material and social care – WORD!
“You must change your mental attitude to change your reading habits. It is 7…Happy family – by the WORD!
not easy, and most of you will not take the time to do it.”
Use right hand as a pacer. Evelyn Woods discovered this in her Dynamics “He shall READ therein ALL the DAYS of his LIFE” How can
Reading Course known to thousands. Move the hand down the page to keep anyone honestly question consistent, constant, daily, READING THE
the eyes moving. Practice for 6 weeks to get good results and do it every day. BIBLE THROUGH? How can you refuse to do it? What will you say when
Keep an open mind. You are breaking old habits and making new you stand in His presence and the BOOK will face you there?
ones, and IT WILL NOT BE EASY OR COMFORTABLE. Remember SAUL REFUSED TO HAVE A COPY OF THE BOOK –
Always preview. Never pick up a book and just start reading. Find SAUL DID NOT READ DAILY THROUGH THE BOOK – SAUL’S
out if it fits your need. confused, unstable life, his mental illness, his hates and outlandish conduct
Have a purpose. If you have no purpose then read no book. It will do and death should warn us all – DO NOT NEGLECT TO READ DAILY
you no good. THROUGH AND KNOW GOD’S WORDS.
Read for ideas – not just words. Never again read a book in 3 or 18 Just one hour daily reading the Bible through – Purpose – Plan –
sittings. Read books through at a single sitting to get the maximum out of Schedule – Record. This does not hinder prayer and study time. All 3 Read-
them. Pray-Study are separate and different. Bible reading through has suffered
Test yourself. Figure your own words per minute. You can do better. most in the past. Proper balance between the 3 is the only safe policy, no
There is a right and wrong way to read anything, even the newspaper. matter what you have been doing – make room for Bible Reading in your
Be positive and realize what an increased reading rate will do for daily schedule and be sure to have a purpose-plan-schedule-keep a record.
your own store of ready information on any subject in which you are 22. Will I be successful reading and knowing the Bible? Will I be
interested. successful? Success only appears once in the Bible – Joshua 1:8. “WORD
Start tonight – try out these suggestions when you get home while SUCCESS” is all that is in the verse! That’s amazing, really. 4 Conditions:
they are still on your mind. MOUTH – TALK THE WORD. MIND – THINK THE WORD. EYES –
21. What will continuous Bible reading through the Bible do for me? READ THE WORD. WILL – DO, OBEY THE WORD. 2 Promises: Thou
Your answer is in your own Bible and found in Deuteronomy 17:18-20. shalt make thy way PROSPEROUS. Thou shalt have GOOD SUCCESS.To
TALK THE WORD – I must KNOW IT. John 8:30-32 “Jews BELIEVED
ON HIM”. To THINK THE WORD – I must KNOW IT. “CONTINUE in inside his robe to a small pocket his wife had placed there and pulled out his
WORD – I WILL KNOW IT. “ye shall KNOW” (condition – read through). New Testament. The 7 Volume Giant print reading Bible is easy to keep with
To OBEY THE WORD – I must KNOW IT. “TRUTH (Bible) make YOU you all the time, at least the volume you are reading through, and this is
FREE!!!” really the secret of reading through the Bible in a short time. It is not just
FREE – the more I KNOW the TRUTH, the MORE FREE I AM zipping through to build up a total! We all know there would be no profit
through HIS WORD. I READ – PRAY – STUDY – all in BALANCE with with the wrong motive, but what about those who are critical who have no
the other, not one neglected! Paul put “READING” first in 1 Timothy 4 – motive to read their Bible through?
then “STUDY” in 2 Timothy 2:15. Let’s keep it in place to be balanced – My Bible is filled with key words all the way through, and serve as
many are over balanced on study and this must not be allowed. lights along the path reading through the Bible. Every book has a key word
Rev. 1:3 “Blessed (Happy) is he that READETH, and they that HEAR … and and every chapter (1,189) through the Bible has a chapter summary and a
KEEP things are WRITTEN: FOR THE TIME IS AT HAND.” key verse in every chapter is marked. Main characters all the way through,
23. Will you give some details of your own reading schedule for 28 years? main events all the way through, main crisis points all the way through, the
Now in the 28th year reading a certain number of pages daily, I look back highpoints all the way through, and this knowledge that came largely from
with joy over 10,000 days, having read every day since 1950. Was it always repetition – reading the Bible through over and over – so that one is
easy? No. Did I fall behind schedule sometimes? Yes, but always made it up completely at home anywhere through the Word of God. This does not result
and kept a record always up to date. Has the schedule remained the same for form education, but repeatedly reading the Bible through over and over. The
the 28 years? No, but each time a change was made, reading was increased results in my life have been worth the daily effort for over 28 years!
rather than decreased. Here is the schedule I look back upon today: I must remind you the material I have listed above is in my study
5 Years – 30 Pages Daily – Read through in 60 Days – 6 Times Yearly Bible. Very little marking should ever appear in a reading Bible, and then
10 Years – 45 Pages Daily – Read through in 40 Days – 9 Times Yearly only in light pencil that can be erased when transferred to your study Bible.
20 Years – 60 Pages Daily – Read through in 30 Days – 12 Times Yearly No underlining whatsoever in your reading Bible. Such markings will hinder
22 Years – 90 Pages Daily – Read through in 20 Days – 18 Times Yearly future reading through, and will hinder you getting new thoughts from the
23 Years – 120 Pages Daily – Read through in 15 Days – 24 Times Yearly Holy Spirit as you read through. I can truthfully state that each time reading
24 Years – 260 Pages Daily – Read through in 7 Days – 52 Times Yearly through the Bible is a major adventure for me, as the Holy Spirit points out
28 Years – 608 Pages Daily – Read through in 3 Days – 121 Times Yearly things along the way I never saw before!
My progress was gradual. I was a college graduate and college teacher, but There have been times and even seasons over the years when my
did not know the rules for better reading when I began. I did not even know reading has been increased, sometimes reading ten hours a day. Overseas I
what good reading was or how to describe it. had many opportunities to be alone a lot and these hours were turned into
For the first five years, the Bible was read through 6 times a year, or every reading time through the Bible.
two months – 60 days. It was the hardest habit I ever tried to establish in my I do read other books – many books a year, but NEVER until my
life! Bible reading is done for the day first. On trips I do not travel until a set
For the next 10 years it took 6 weeks (1 ½ months) to read the Bible number of pages are read daily. If I have a rushed schedule in some country,
through; for 20 years, it took 30 days or each month to read through. For 24 the reading is done the day before in order not to fall behind on the typed
years it took a week to read through the Bible. 26 years it averaged 6 days schedule that is made yearly and followed daily and marked on a calendar.
reading through the Bible, and in the 28th year, the over all average is 3 days A final note and announcement. Bible Reading Seminars are conducted all
through, and it takes over an hour a day, with my giant print reading the over the world for various groups of believers, using diagrams in color to
Bible cut into 3 volumes – and I keep it with me all the time to read in spare illustrate each step. CRUSADES are conducted also all over the world as
moments during the day or night. God directs. In crusades Bible reading is discussed the first week. In the
Moody offered five dollars to anyone who could catch him without nights that follow a variety of subjects are presented in larger diagrams in
his Bible. A young man found him in the hall of a Y.M.C.A. in his bathrobe color as that the audience can see the message as well as hear it.
on the way to the shower. When he asked about his Bible, Moody reached
24. When will the “Bible Reader’s Handbook” be available to us? A – IT IS A FACT – To be FREE, we must KNOW THE TRUTH. THE
“BIBLE READER’S HANDBOOK” will be available soon, showing all the CONDITION we MUST KNOW first, BY READING THE BOOK
key words, and the chapter summary for every book in the Bible – each book THROUGH. Then we ACT on what we KNOW and the result is
diagram will be on a separate sheet of paper, so that when you read through, FREEDOM. Remember the Chinese proverb, “A book not read is A BLOCK
you only need turn the page to the book you are reading through, and it will OF PAPER.”
give reading time and brief suggestions to aid you in understanding the book,– IT IS A FACT – The 200 words per minute ARE NOT SPEED READING
and thus your reading trips through the Bible will be more enjoyable. the Bible through. Some of my students read far beyond the 200 words, BUT
25. Can we write for more facts and will our questions be answered? Feel AT 200 words a minute, you will be a far better reader of the Bible than you
free to write at any time and you will receive an answer to any questions are NOW – TRY IT and SEE FOR YOURSELF how much MORE you will
about Bible reading. This service is free and open to all of you. God bless enjoy, remember, comprehend, and meditate in the WHOLE BIBLE as you
you, every one, and “Be always reading your Bible through.” repeatedly READ THE WHOLE BIBLE THROUGH over and over for your
Yours in Christ, own good both here and in eternity.
Philip Green Dr. Moule said, “No matter what your study habit, BE ALWAYS READING
7109 S. Westshore your Bible THROUGH.”
Tampa, Florida – IT IS A FACT – You need not speed read your Bible, But over 90% of all
Phone: 813-832-8021, 813-626-4747 Bible believers NEED TO READ THE Bible better, and daily and through.
Start today!
– IT IS A FACT – Using the poor rate of reading 200 words a minute (about --IT IS A FACT – Dr. Sung, in state hospital, read the Bible through EVERY
10 verses) THE BIBLE CAN BE READ THROUGH, READING 30 4 ½ DAYS for 6 months. He gained a working knowledge of every chapter
MINUTES (1 ½ HOUR) DAILY for 4 MONTHS or 3 TIMES A YEAR! in the Bible (1189) in only 6 months -reading the Bible from the first word
– IT IS A FACT – God has spoken 7 blessings to His Bible readers in Deut. to the last word over and over. He was released from the hospital completely
17:19, 20. The 19th verse says, “he shall read therein ALL THE DAYS of his free and well!
life.” If he is told to read ALL HIS DAYS, he must read ALL THE BOOK! – IT IS A FACT – If you use your clock or the timer on your stove, you will
– IT IS A FACT – Moody said, (1) “When I READ the Bible, GOD TALKS read more pages in the hour, and the more you read your Bible through, the
TO ME.” (2) “When I PRAY, I TALK TO GOD.” And (3) “When I STUDY, clearer will be the over-all picture of God’s dealings with mankind through
I TALK TO OTHERS.” The 3 words are different and will not mix. How can the ages.
I talk to others about God UNLESS I LET GOD TALK TO ME FIRST AS I – IT IS A FACT – Reading 200 words a minute is poor by national standards,
READ THE BIBLE THROUGH. BUT THE BIBLE CAN BE READ THROUGH, reading ONE HOUR
– IT IS A FACT – READING is a HABIT and we must PRACTICE TO DAILY for 2 MONTHS or 6 TIMES A YEAR at 200 words a minute!
PROGRESS DAILY. PUSH every day to CHANGE YOUR BAD – IT IS A FACT – 44 Bible books ARE SHORT, EACH CAN BE READ IN
READING HABIT. PRACTICE – read 10 pages in an hour. PRACTICE – 30 MINUTES (1/2 Hour). If 2 short Bible books are READ in ONE HOUR
read 15 pages in an hour. PRACTICE – read 20 pages in an hour. daily, 2/3 of the entire Bible can be read SLOWLY in 22 DAYS!
PRACTICE, PUSH, every day to a goal. – IT IS A FACT – All the way back to the apostles, the great majority of
MOST WILL NOT – YOU CAN DO IT. Bible believers have never read the Bible from start to finish.
– IT IS A FACT – George Mueller read the Bible through every 3 months (90 – IT IS A FACT – In the New Testament, Paul tells Timothy to READ in the
days) for 25 years – that would be 20 pages in the Giant Print edition Bible first letter, and instructs him to “study” in the 2nd letter. This IS CORRECT
daily – this is SLOW reading, allowing 3 minutes to each page for one hour. ORDER!
IT IS A FACT – We must read entire books of the Bible at a time – do not
chop it up, skip here and there, or read a few chapters in the Old Testament
and then a few chapters in the New – NEVER DO THAT – “You will remain
ignorant of God’s plan and purpose through the Bible.”