The One Thing I Did That Revitalized My Bible Reading

The One Thing I Did To Revitalize My Bible Reading

5/12/2020

The One Thing I Did That Revitalized My Bible Reading

This year, I am reading through the Bible in chronological order of book authorship.

This is different from reading the Bible in chronological order. That's a great way to read God's Word as well, but when I've done that in the past I find myself skipping all over the Bible at some points and it's easy for me to get distracted.

Reading through the Bible in chronological order of book authorship simply goes book by book in the order that they were written. Plans may vary as it is difficult to accurately date the writing of some books of the Bible.

Besides reading through the Bible in chronological order of book authorship, let me share with you the one thing I did that has revitalized my Bible reading this year.

A Tool for Chronological Order of Book Authorship Bible Reading

If you would like to read through God's Word in chronological order of book authorship, do what I am doing. I’m using this Bible Reading Itinerary. It begins with the book of Job. Did you know that Genesis is not the first book written in the Bible?

This lovely, 12-month, self-guided (or group-guided) Bible reading itinerary gently leads the reader on a journey through the Bible in chronological order of book authorship. If you haven't read God’s Word in this order, you're in for a real treat! The itinerary gives readers a unique perspective of the Bible. Make your plans to read through God’s Word by downloading this resource today! The itinerary is great for new believers and for those established in the faith as well.

DOWNLOAD YOUR BIBLE READING ITINERARY TODAY!

Listen to the Bible anywhere you have an Internet connection

Today, I want to share with you that one thing I did that has revitalized my Bible reading this year, and it's so simple, anyone can do it!

This year, I am not only reading the Bible, I am listening to the audio version while I read. I have discovered that I am an auditory learner and this method of reading God's Word has made a huge impact on my comprehension of it!

Listening while I read has been a game-changer for me! Honestly, I can't believe I never thought of this before.

I am using the free, online, audio version at BibleGateway.com. However, did you know there is also a Bible Gateway Bible Audio App? Yes, there is! It’s available for iPad, iPhone, and Android devices. It joins the award-winning Bible Gateway App (which I've been using for years on my phone) in making Scripture as convenient and mobile for you as your smartphone or tablet.

We have no excuses not to be intentional about permeating our lives with the Word of God when it's so easy to read and listen to His Word!

With Bible Gateway’s Bible Audio App you can hear as well as read (at the same time like I'm doing) the Bible during your morning devotion time, on your daily commute, while doing household chores or running errands, even as you drift off to sleep at night. Listen and read along with the Bible wherever you have an internet connection. It’s free and user-friendly.

I have found with the audio app I can:

Listen to a variety of Bible translations (KJV, NIV, even a Spanish version) and choose from multiple audio narration styles.
Navigate quickly anywhere in the Bible.
Speed up or slow down playback to listen to the Bible at my own pace.
Memorize Scripture more effectively by setting chapters or verses to repeat.
Set a timer so that I can establish goals to spend more time in the Word, or so that I can listen while falling asleep at night.

The Bible Gateway Bible Audio App is a great tool to help you and your little ones memorize Bible verses and passages of Scripture. The verse text appears on your screen as you listen and changes when the spoken verse changes, and you can quickly swipe to navigate between verses.

Take the Bible with you anywhere you go

The Bible Gateway Bible Audio App is different from the Bible Gateway App. You can download the Bible Gateway App here. I have used it for years! It's great to be able to carry the Bible with you on your smart device wherever you go!

This app has helped me:

Get to know God's Word better.
Take notes and highlight verses and passages of Scripture.
Share verses and passages on my Social Media accounts!
Challenge myself with daily readings.

I LOVE BOTH OF THESE APPS! And the best part is that they are FREE to download and use!!

If you're not already using the Bible Gateway apps, download them today and see if you don't love them as much as I do.

—> Bible Gateway Audio App
—> Bible Gateway App

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Share with us the different ways you have read through the Bible and tools you use to do so.

33 Comments

Barbara Harper link

5/12/2020 09:35:27 am

I had heard of a chronological reading plan, but not the one chronologically by author. I think I'd like the latter better. I prefer reading whole books rather than fragments here and there.

I'm happy the audio version worked so well for you! I'm more visual than auditory but for many years people heard rather than read the word of God. It's nice we can do both methods at the same time these days.

Patsy Burnette link

5/12/2020 07:18:38 pm

I didn't much like reading fragments either, Barbara. I like this way much better.That's a great point that for many years people only heard the Word rather than having the opportunity to read it. I guess I've never thought of that.

Lisa notes link

5/12/2020 10:08:51 am

I didn't know that Bible Gateway had an app for audio. That sounds like a great thing! And although I've read the Bible in chronological order of happenings, I've never read it by authorship dates. Very interesting! Thanks for sharing these ideas today.

5/12/2020 07:20:42 pm

I really like the audio app for help with memorizing Scripture as well! Thanks for stopping by, Lisa!

Michele Morin link

5/12/2020 10:23:34 am

It can be challenging to come to those familiar words with new eyes. As much as we love them, sometimes we stop seeing them, so it's good to try new versions or approaches to the Truth!

5/12/2020 07:27:05 pm

Great point, Michele! I have found that to be true as I move through the Bible and read/listen to familiar passages.

Bev @ Walking Well With God link

5/12/2020 05:04:38 pm

Patsy,
Thanks for the great recommendation! I've been reading through the Bible again and would love to supplement it with the auditory "reading." Going now to sign up for the app!
Blessings,
Bev xx

5/12/2020 07:28:40 pm

Yea, Bev! You're going to love it! :)

Betty Rojugbokan link

5/12/2020 06:22:44 pm

Patsy, I've never tried reading the Bible in chronological order by authorship before. That is something new I'm going to try.
Thanks for sharing.
Pinning this one for later. 🙂

5/12/2020 07:29:24 pm

Thank you so much for pinning, Betty!

Elena Wiggins link

5/13/2020 08:14:49 am

I love listening to the Bible on audio as well! It was a great way to spend my traffic-laden morning commute to work, by filling my heart with God's truth rather than being annoyed!

5/13/2020 02:39:19 pm

Elena, I totally agree. This may even be the cure for road rage! LOL

Melissa link

5/13/2020 08:59:15 am

I've listened to and loved an audio version of the Bible, but it never occured to me to listen WHILE I read - this is such a great idea. It forces you to slow down and activates more of your brain. I'm giving this a go. THANK YOU for sharing!

5/13/2020 02:40:30 pm

You're going to love it, Melissa!

Susan Shipe link

5/13/2020 10:28:24 am

Chrono reading is the BEST and my FAVORITE.

5/13/2020 02:42:01 pm

I'm loving it so much I wonder, "How am I going to top this next year?" Maybe I won't, Maybe I'll just read this way again. :)

Kristi Woods link

5/13/2020 01:27:01 pm

Oh, what a neat way to read through the Bible! I've never thought or heard of this. Great free download to help others revitalize their Bible reading, too!

5/13/2020 02:42:59 pm

Thanks Kristi! I hope you love it as much as I do!

BettieG link

5/13/2020 01:32:01 pm

I've been hearing such great things about Biblegateway's Audo App, but I've not checked it out yet! Thanks for these great thoughts. The timer option makes it sound worthwhile to check into for just that aspect. I do listen to songs and Scripture while falling asleep, but the timer would be a huge help. Blessings to you!

5/13/2020 02:44:31 pm

You're going to love it, Betty! The timer is a great feature.

Mary Jane Humes link

5/13/2020 02:16:26 pm

I too am reading the Bible in chronological order this year. And although I have not yet did the audio/reading, I do that when watching videos! Thank you so much for a great post.

5/13/2020 02:45:56 pm

You'll be surprised, Mary Jane, how much putting the two together improves your comprehention.

Lauren Renee Sparks link

5/13/2020 03:54:52 pm

I have never thought of reading the bible in chronological order of authorship. How interesting. I may tackle that sometime.

5/13/2020 07:28:48 pm

You'll enjoy it, Lauren. It's just hard to wrap my brain around the fact that Genesis wasn't written first.

Donna Reidland link

5/14/2020 01:07:39 am

What a wonderful idea to read and listen at the same time. And I had never heard of a by author chronological plan. I am reading in a different translation for my daily reading this year and using a new bible without all my markings and underlinings. It has been refreshing somehow.

5/14/2020 06:31:26 am

I think a different translation is what I may do next year. That does sound refreshing, Donna. Thanks!

Laurie link

5/14/2020 11:54:07 am

I have heard of the concept of reading through the Bible in chronological order but have never done it before. I just started reading through a new (to me) version of the Bible. I'm in Exodus right now. It's amazing how reading a new version leads to unexpected insights.

5/15/2020 08:43:43 am

I'm excited about the thought of reading a new translation in 2021, Laurie! I've read KJV and NKJV and this year I'm reading ESV—which I lovingly refer to as the "Extra Special Version." LOL Maybe next year I'll read the NIV translation.

Sue Donaldson

5/14/2020 01:45:16 pm

Just picked up mine on Monday! Shared.

5/15/2020 08:44:16 am

Thank you so much for sharing, Sue! :)

MAndy link

5/19/2020 03:22:23 pm

I've been digging deep in the Disciplines this year. I will soon be bllogging on Bible reading and hope to remember to refer to this post. Or perhaps you would like to guest write on the topic. Thanks for sharing a Leaving a Legacy.

Patsy Burnette

12/26/2020 04:58:26 pm

2020 was a great year for digging deep, Mandy! I am hoping for the same amount of down time to dig even deeper in 2021! I love John MacArthur's book "Twelve Ordinary Men.” It's a collection of mini-biographies of the twelve disciples. You'd probably like that too! There's also a book he's written called "12 Extraordinary Women." That one is great as well. Feel free to refer back to this post and I'd love to write a guest post for you sometime! :)

Eli Richardson link

9/30/2022 02:30:23 pm

I want to be closer to God, and I think reading the bible could help me understand his words better, but sometimes I can't focus on my reading. It's interesting to know how technology could help us read and hear God's words, so I'll look more into this. Thank you for the information on bible reading and how we'd improve our habits.

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