Choosing a Bible Reading Plan: Part 2
“So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ”
In part one I discussed reading through the Bible from cover to cover each year. This method covers a lot of territory, but does not allow sufficient time to go in depth. There was one year where this frustrated me greatly. Enter: my “Dive Under” aspect of reading the Bible. This is where the Hyper-Sub transforms from coasting the surface as a speed vessel into a deep sea submarine.
Each year alongside “coasting over” the entire Bible, I choose four books of the Bible to study in depth throughout the year. This typically consists of two from the Old Testament and two from the New Testament. I spend three months at a time in each of those books.
For example one year might look like this:
January-March: 1 & 2 Peter
April-June: Exodus
July-September: Revelation
October-December: Ezra
So, I would complete my “coast over” reading first that day, and then devote any margin to whatever my current “dive under” book is. For example, I might listen to a sermon on Revelation while cleaning, read a commentary during relaxation time on the weekends, do inductive study in the evening on the passage, reread the passage each day during my daughters nap time or listen to it while driving, or complete the “coast over” reading the first have of my devotional time and then dive deep into Revelation the remainder of the time. In some seasons my “dive under” book consisted of whatever book my Pastor was preaching through.
These two methods combined compliment one another so beautifully! As you grow in your comprehensive understanding of God’s word by gaining a high level overview in the “Coast Over” approach, deeper clarity will emerge in your “Dive Under” books and their significant place in redemptive history.
