I have a challenge for you.
Most of us have been challenged by their pastor or Sunday school teacher or friend to read the Bible in a certain amount of time. The time frame is typically in the one to five year range. There are all kinds of programs and plans. Some are chronological. Some are topical. Some take a chapter from the Old Testament, a chapter from the New Testament and add a Proverb a day. There are many variations.
But, like I said, I have a challenge for you...
What would you say if I asked you to read the Bible in ninety, that's nine - zero, 90, days? Yes, 90 days. About 3 months.
And I'm not kidding.
This task is completely possible.
Our church is about to embark on this incredible journey. As an adult Sunday school teacher (although not facilitating or leading this particular course), I am excited that this body of believers is going to sit down and read through God's Word in 90 days.
This course was developed by an agnostic, questioning business man who finally decided to just sit down and satisfy his curiosity. He was honest with himself and was willing to allow God to speak directly to him for the purpose of "finding" God. So Ted Cooper Jr., did exactly that and his life was forever changed. You can watch him in the video below.
Let's be honest, most of us would not put aside about an hour each day to sit and read God's Word cover to cover, Genesis 1:1 to Revelation 22:21 straight through. We want to get into God's Word, but we often don't let God's Word get into us.
The Bible in 90 Days program is a purposeful reading of the entire Bible in about 3 months. Please understand that this is not a "study" of the Bible. This is not a review or overview of the Bible in 90 days, this is a reading of the Bible in 90 days. That's all. Nothing more. Nothing less.
But that's not a really fair comment. Reading the entire tome of Scripture in this relatively brief period of time is a big thing. Let me explain why I'm excited about doing this.
When you sit down and read God's Word each day going from chapter to chapter and book to book, the Holy Spirit opens your eyes (at least mine) to things you've never seen before. Now granted, He usually does that sort of thing anyway, but what I am finding in reading the Bible in this fashion, with this plan, is that I'm really seeing the context and flow as God works through history, His-story, to bring about His Kingdom. Yes, I'm having the typical, "aha!" moments and "gee, I never noticed that before" or "I've got to go back to that passage later on" reactions, but seeing the inter-connectivity of people, places, and more importantly, God's Hand, is pretty incredible!
If you're going through the Bible in 90 Days, your church will most likely be using all of the materials that are available from Biblein90Days.org. There are teaching and review videos. There's a participants work book and leaders guide. There's even a "Bible in 90 Days" Bible (NIV translation). The "B90" Bible literally helps keep everyone on "the same page". All of these are excellent resources. Links for the materials are found below. As a congregation, you'll encourage one another as you count down the days to completion.
Honestly, this program of the Bible in 90 Days, is meant as a church-wide challenge, but there are many of you who don't have a church or your congregation doesn't put the same emphasis in reading the Bible as the Holy Spirit has laid on your own heart.
Can you read the Bible in 90 Days? Yes, you can! And you will be excited as you turn the pages of Scripture day after day. You will also accomplish what many people have not accomplished ever before: reading through the ENTIRE Bible in 90 days.
Keep in mind that this not a "study" of the Bible. All you will do is read and do a little bit of personal reflection as you simply notice what God is opening up to you.
Before I end this post, here's a final personal aside, testimony and recommendation. When I first started my 90 day journey on August 6, 2011, I felt a bit intimidated. Reading the Bible is not and should not be intimidating. The Bible is God's "love letter" to you; to all of us. By getting into the Bible, the Bible gets into us. As you read each day, the Holy Spirit will work in your life and encourage you to press on.
One more thing, I strongly encourage you to at least purchase a copy of the Bible in 90 Days (B90) Bible. When I started my journey, I used the Bible that I've been using for years. It's a NIV Study Bible. It's got all of my notes and underlines and scribbles. It's got maps and charts and lots of editors' notes. As good as all of that "stuff" is, I was distracted and the reading was a bit more tedious. A few days into reading, I decided to purchase a B90 Bible and I can honestly say that the reading is easier and less tedious. You read 12 pages each day. There's a "tab" to let you know when to start and stop. The type font is a bit larger. There are minimal footnotes which are not as distracting. The overall size of the book is comparable to a 200 page novel (only one inch thick; fine paper as used in Bibles keeps it thin). It's fun and I look forward to continue on my daily journey. Will I ever forsake my Study Bible? Of course not. Keep in mind that your Bible is a "tool" to understanding Who God is. And the B90 Bible is just that: a tool by which you will come to know God better. Consider this recommendation.
If you're going to read through the Bible in 90 Days alone, I'm here to encourage you! For a reading guide and daily "log", click here for some basic tools to download and print. For some Biblical reasons to consider, take a read and quick study of 2 brief passages.
If you still have a few nagging questions, perhaps I can answer them. Here are some of the Bible in 90 Days FAQ's. In fact if one of your concerns is slugging through those lists of names, here's a resource for you: a simple pronunciation guide and audio clips with 5 passages of "difficult" names.
Coming soon: weekly take-aways from the Bible in 90 Days reading.
My personal thanks go to Ted Cooper, Jr, who God got a hold of and transformed to be a force in working out His Kingdom. Another bit of thanks goes to my pastor, Scott Craddock. He sort of "threw down the gauntlet" if you will, and has challenged our congregation to get serious about purposefully reading the Bible. This is going to be a great, life changing and, I believe, church changing 90 days.
Just do it! I wish you well. Please post a comment below to encourage me and others.
The Bible in 90 Days Bible and other materials can be purchased at Biblein90Days.org or your favorite Bible or Christian book store or supply company.
