Bible Reading Program

I'm very excited about our journey through God's Word this year and I want to encourage everyone to join us. Here's what we're asking: 1) choose a translation 2) choose a Bible reading program 3) sign up so we can encourage you and so you can share your experiences along the way. This post is designed to help you choose a translation and a Bible reading program that's right for you.

Choosing a translation is not difficult. It's really about personal preference (aside from a few colorful, ideologically driven translations). Here are five prominent ones that you might enjoy.

1. The NASB, or the New American Standard Bible, is the perfect Bible for you if you like your translation VERY literal. It preserves the original form of words as well as the original word order, including the times when the original word order is not English word order. For example, Matthew 28:18-20 reads, "And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
2. The NIV, or the New International Version, is a good translation if you like a fairly straight forward English translation that prizes idiomatic English more than original literal translation and word order. For example, Matthew 28:18-20 reads, "Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
3. The ESV, or English Standard Version, is a good translation if you like something more literal than the NIV, less literal than the NASB, and also want a translation that preserves much of the literary beauty of the text. For example, Matthew 28:18-20 reads, "And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority iin heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them oto observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
4. The MESSAGE translation, or more accurately, paraphrase, is a good version to read if you want to read a paraphrase. The Message attempts to stay faithful to the ideas of the text, but in no way attempts to translate the original words as does the NIV, NASB, ESV, or the NLT. For example, Matthew 28:18-20 reads, "Jesus, undeterred, went right ahead and gave his charge: “God authorized and commanded me to commission you: Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I’ll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age.”
5. The NLT, or the New Living Translation, is a good translation to read if you like very idiomatic English, but want a translation of the text instead of a paraphrase. The NLT is gaining popularity as an alternative landing somewhere between the NASB/NIV on the one side, and the Message on the other side. For example, Matthew 28:18-20 reads, "Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Choosing a Bible reading program is not difficult. Here are three popular options.

1. The chronological Bible reading program allows you to read through the Bible as any other, but it takes you through the Bible chronologically rather than in the order the books appear in the Bible (and there is a difference).
2. The one year Bible reading program allows you to read through the Bible by date. You simply open the Bible to the current date and it has the reading portions broken down for you. Every day you read a portion of the Old Testament, the Psalms, the New Testament, and a couple verses from Proverbs.
3. The God's Word for Today Bible reading program is available in the church foyer. It gives you a list of chapters to read each day and provides a devotional thought to go with them. The reading guide makes it easy for you to use whatever translation you prefer without buying a new Bible (such as the one year Bible mentioned above).

Finally, if you need to purchase a new Bible there are two main options. You can purchase them online or in a store. If you want to look online, try a site like www.christianbook.com. If you want to look in a store, you can try everything from Walmart to Cokesbury to Family Christian Stores.

I cannot think of any better way for us to grow in our love for God than to consistently read his word. Please prayerfully consider joining us in reading through the Bible this year.