Hindsight from Pastors

For those working as a pastor or biblical teacher, some advice from the Jesus Creed blog written by Kent Anderson:

I have dealt with everything from murder to suicide to sexual abuse to goofy boards to cranky members to bats in the church to you name it. Knowing this - the one thing I would make sure of if I was starting over again is this – read the Bible.
Oh I read the Bible regularly with some systematic method, but what I mean is to read through the Bible repeatedly every year. Make it a high priority practice. About 12 years ago I began to read the Bible from front to back three times a year. I read it in 20 chapter segments and this takes about an hour a day. I do this 4 - 5 time a week. I change version each time read through it, NIV, NRSV, KJV, NASB, Jerusalem, the Message, whatever. I mark the Bible up and have cheap notebook to jot down my thoughts and questions. There are times when I take a break for a month and do something else but this has been my foundational practice for years.
Why do this? In every other element of my position I know that there are people in the church who know more about leadership and vision casting, finances, building construction and maintenance, pedagogy and the care and feeding of copiers. But I need to know the Bible. I need to know it intimately, its themes (large and small) the people who populate it and its flow. I need to know it personally to be able to carefully use it professionally. The more I read it the more I am drawn to it. And I discover more about myself in reading the Bible. I love Leviticus and its lessons. Judges is the most contemporary book for our land. David is always in trouble in Psalms. The personalities of the gospels are amazing, and Revelation can be breathtaking.
My regret is that I started this practice after 15 years of ministry. But if I were starting over again among all the choices I would have to make, reading the Bible through would be #1.

Despite growing up in bible touting churches, the first time I got all the way through the bible was in college, which is a shame. What are your experiences with setting aside large amounts of time to read the bible every day? Is this advice only for pastors or for everybody? Any other thoughts?

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Comments (12)

3 times a year may be difficult for those not on full time church staff and have jobs and families to take care of, but reading through the bible is absolutely worth doing, if it is done with the heart of wanting to know Christ, not just know about Christ. i'm working through it for only the 3rd time (new testament is easy, some of the OT is really really hard honestly for me), each time i go a little bit slower, trying to absorb more, but its great for anyone because we should want to know Christ, not just want to listen on sunday mornings from a guy who knows Christ, and the way He has present Himself is through His Word.
Time????

How much is it on TV? Most of us watch at least two to Three hrs a day, at least an hour and yes it is a great relaxation mechanism…But to read the Bible in a year costs .... 15 min a day!

Is God or the TV your Lord and who gets your best?

Ron, who loves TV and struggles with this…
I have found reading large blocks of Scripture is a great way to get the big picture of a particular Bible book or section of Scripture or the Bible as a whole. I think everyone should try it. I use what I call the Five Track Plan; here is a link (back to my site): Free Bible Reading Plans for the New Year

I personally read parts of the the book of John almost every day. Some parts of the Bible are just more important than others and, in practice, all Christians agree as they memorise and quote certain verses often and others never. We would be so impoverished without Romans but less so without Leviticus. Thus I wonder how much value and wisdom is to be gleaned from investing equal time in each part as you would need to do when reading the whole Bible repeatedly. If reading the whole Bible through works for some people then that's great but it's an unproductive chore for most.
Oh, I think this is wonderful and for everyone, not just pastors. I know it's for me! (Side note: Tyler, I cracked up when I read your "3 times a year may be difficult for those not on full time church staff and have jobs and families to take care of" comment, b/c having worked on church staff, I can tell you of a staff of 4 pastors, each married, 16 children total, who work almost around the clock in ministry. I believe they have less time, not more; pray, pray, pray for your church leadership).

I about fell out of my chair to see Leviticus and Judges brought up as important for us today.

chris, feel free to edit out this part if you like before you post it, but I'm interested: why do you capitalize Jesus Creed & Kent Anderson but not "Bible"? Are you making a statement of some kind?
No reason, just poor proof-reading.
Although I can certainly see the value in reading through several chapters per day, lately I've found that less is more ... ie, instead of reading several chapters, I'll read one, if that, and just read slower and try to be more thoughtful about what I read. This seems to work better for me.
I think I've read the whole Bible, but I'm not 100% sure (maybe Deuteronomy still to read), certainly I have read some sections in a more contemplative way than others.

I hope I don't sound arrogant, but I tend to soak up information better than other people, though I still need to work hard to pass exams. Before I became a Christian I tried to read at least a chapter of the Bible a day just for knowledge. Then after I had become a Christian I was often, and particularly while away from home at university, able to study short passages in depth for at least half an hour a day. I learned a lot in those years and when I took on some Bible teaching at my Youth Fellowship I wasn't quite studying like a pastor, but it was in enough depth that I felt I didn't need to do my own personal study. I have known for a couple of years now that personal study apart from preparing for talks and group Bible studies is essential, but I still struggle. After studying short chunks in the early years I am now trying to read longer passages. Recently Kings (which I read originally along with a great couple of books by Wallace published by Scottish Academic Press) and Colossians. Colossians I've read chapter by chapter, and now I'm reading and rereading through it all at once before going in in real depth. What I really need to get back into though is study. I have found a big difference between just reading, even prayerfully, and reading and jotting down themes, etc.
Great blog, I'm glad I stumbled on it. I try to get through a one year Bible once a year, switching versions and languages. I read it while I eat breakfast : ). I love seeing the themes and getting the big picture. You've convicted me-I'm going to up that to reading the Bible through at least twice a year.

That being said, my deeper connecting with God happens not when I'm reading the big chunk of scripture but every day when I read, meditate on, and pray over a much shorter passage.
I agree with reading through the bible. It is interesting that Kent reads from different versions. I can see the profitability in doing so. I believe reading through the Bible is important and necessary, even Judges and Leviticus :). The importance has more to do with getting to know Jesus than it does for knowledge. Imagine getting a letter from your girl/boy friend or wife/husband and never reading it. Or just reading the parts of it that you like. When asked what you thought about some certain part (that you had not read), you would be speechless. We should read the Bible to gain more of Christ, not just more knowledge about Christ (yes Christ is in Judges and Leviticus). My encouragement is that we read the letter given to us by our Loving, Sweet, Majestic Saviour so that we can know more about Him. God bless you all.
I have read the bible, but have a problem with research. You see I start, but then stop to do the research or ask someone about something I have read. Please I don't stop and because of what I do for a living I can and should do more reading. I keep bibles in various places like home and various places at home, car, work, but not with me when I travel. Thanks to all who read the word of God and thank God for his words. In God's Grace John
Hi, SeeKing Christ,
I about fell out of my chair to see Judges & Leviticus uplifted as important, not because they AREN'T - but because they are, yet so few pay attention to these wonderful books (both books have transformed my life - Samson is one of my true heroes!) Thought I'd clarify in case anyone else was thinking along the same lines : )

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