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Topic: BYOB - Join us to Read the BIble in a Year - you are NOT too late!

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nashvillethecat avatar
Subject: BYOB - Join us to Read the BIble in a Year - you are NOT too late!
Date Posted: 1/2/2013 10:37 AM ET
Member Since: 8/1/2007
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Bookmarks for January below (all reading plans listed)

Pick your flavor from the choices below...and pester me if I don't get Feburary on here soon :  )

As you read, post your ideas and questions on here along with the Chapter and Verses where it came from.

Even if we aren't all literally "on the same page"... we can enjoy the questions and topics. 

We don't all have to agree on everything.  I don't think TRUE unity is very possible in this day and age.  But we can enjoy discussing, even if we have different perspectives.  I know that I will read a verse... and then a few years later I read it again... and it has SO much more meaning for me due to life events between the first reading and second reading.

This is open for all to chat about out thoughts on what we are reading.

http://i1336.photobucket.com/albums/o643/Nashvillethecat/BibleReadingListsJan_zps3ed94529.jpg

Photobucket

I have wanted to do this for a long time and I figured that having a few folks reading with me will help me stay on track.

If you want to keep track here for accountability, create a response and we can all see how we are doing.



Last Edited on: 1/10/13 12:32 PM ET - Total times edited: 18
nashvillethecat avatar
Date Posted: 1/2/2013 11:01 AM ET
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Lita's Response:

Jan 1 - Gen 1-3 - done
Jan 2 - Gen 4-5 - done
Jan 3 - Gen 6 - Gen 9:29 - done
Jan 4 - Gen 11:1-9, Gen 10:1-32, Gen 11:10-32
Jan 5 - Gen 12 - 14
Jan 6 - Gen 15:1-21, Gen16:1-16, Gen 17:1 - 27
Jan 7 - Gen 18:1-33, Gen 19:1-38
Jan 8 - Gen 20:1-18, Gen 21:1-Gen 21:1-7, 22-34, 8-21
Jan 9 - Gen 22:1-24, Gen 23:1-20

 



Last Edited on: 1/4/13 9:11 AM ET - Total times edited: 3
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Date Posted: 1/3/2013 12:36 AM ET
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I read the Bible all the way through a couple of years ago and it was quite a trip.  I was planning to do it chronologically this year, so I'm very happy to see I'll have a reading buddy for it!  Last year I had a reading buddy for the Book of Mormon, which was very helpful.  I agree that having a few buddies to keep you one track is great.

Which version are you using, Lita?  I'll be using a Saint Joseph's edition.

FYI: I'll be using a Catholic Bible, which has a few extra books so my reading schedule is going to vary slightly from most of you.  (Chart comparing books in different Bible versions)

*My notes are taken from Collegeville Bible Commentary.  Some I knew already; some I didn't.  They are not complete; they are just things I felt worth sharing.*

Jan 1 - Gen 1-3 done
1:1-2:4a are from the "Priestly" account  This account bears a similarity to the Babylonian Enuma Elish
1:5 - The use of names gave power over things; thus God names "day" and "night".  Also notice that in 2:20 Adam is told to name the animals.
2:46-5:32 is the "Yahwist" account; this is earlier than the "Priestly" account
2:7 - Some people suggest the breath was a soul, but there is no Hebrew "soul"; the "soul" concept is Greek in origin
2:21 - "Rib" in Sumerian is also "life"; in Hebrew, Eve is another form of "life".  Perhaps this was originally a play on words?
Woman is described as "helper", somebody who supports.  It's often been supposed that this means she is subservient to man, but this same word "helper" is used to describe when God assists man in later chapters.
Chapter 3:1 - It was not until the 1st century that the devil became associated with the serpent

Jan 2 - Gen 4-5 done
Notice the the geneology in chapters 4 and 5 are nearly identical, just with names switched around.  The first appears to be of the "Yahwist" narrative and the second of the "Priestly" narrative.  You can tell by the composition.

Jan 3 - Gen 6 - Gen 11 done
Accounts of the great flood are found all around the world.  This one is similar to those found in Mesopotamia, especially the Babylonian Epic of Gilgamesh
6-9 have "Priestly" and "Yahwist" accounts interwoven
11 - The commentary I'm reading suggests that this was an explanatory story to explain the various languages and ethnicities; not literal.  Personal note: One of my favorite stories in the Bible

Jan 4 - Job 1-5 done
The introductory notes on my commentary note that the book is written in the style of a man defending himself against the law of that time.
Only note here is that I love 1:21 - 
He said, "Naked I came from my mother's womb, And naked I shall return there. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away. Blessed be the name of the LORD."
Jan 5 - Job 6-10 done
Note how Job's friends shame him, saying that it must be his fault that he is suffering, yet Job maintains his innocence.

Jan 6 - Job 11-15 done

Jan 7 - Job 16-21 done



Last Edited on: 1/11/13 12:50 PM ET - Total times edited: 8
nashvillethecat avatar
Date Posted: 1/3/2013 10:29 AM ET
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Hi Jennifer,

Thanks so much for joining.  It will make it easier to finish when I know someone else is reading with me!!

Here is the Bible I am using:

The Daily Bible: New International Version: With Devotional Insights to Guide You Through God's Word
spacer.gif
The Daily Bible: New International Version: With Devotional Insights to Guide You Through God's Word
Author: F. LaGard Smith
ISBN-13: 9780736901987 - ISBN-10: 0736901981
Book Type: Paperback
Publication Date: 1999
rainfall avatar
Date Posted: 1/3/2013 6:26 PM ET
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Hi! I have a quick question for ya..do you know of any printable bookmarks out there that has the reading schedule printed on them? I'm looking to start reading the Bible, but having some printed bookmarks would be dandy. I could do them myself (and will if I have to) but it'd be so much nicer to print them out. :)

Also, I'm looking to read a combo of Old and New Testaments, vs straight chronological order. Not sure why, it just made the most sense for me. (I'm not a religious person, but I was raised Southern Baptist and would like to read the Bible and possibly go to church here and there again.)

eta: Aaaand, because I know I can't commit to daily reading, I'll be doing a weekly version of the schedule. Hmm...maybe I should just go ahead and make my own bookmarks. LOL



Last Edited on: 1/3/13 6:28 PM ET - Total times edited: 1
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Date Posted: 1/3/2013 7:13 PM ET
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Hi, Kelly, doing a quick search on Google didn't turn up anything for bookmarks with reading plans, unfortunately.  If you find it easier to read in one week chunks, rather than every day, I say go for it.  When I read it in one year a couple of years ago I varied between 1 week chunks and daily readings.  Just depended on how I felt that day.  If you don't want to do it chronologically, there are other great reading plans here and here.  It averages out to about 3 pages a day or 21 pages a week with whatever plan you choose.  

Lita, your Bible looks like it will be good since it has extra insights.  I'll also be using Collegeville Bible Commentary for the Old Testament in addition to my Bible reading.  I hope both of our additional material will lead to more conversation.  

nashvillethecat avatar
Date Posted: 1/3/2013 8:08 PM ET
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I have started a January Book mark on my computer.  When its finished I will email to you  (if that is possible?)  Having someone else besides me that wants a book mark will help me actually finish the bookrmark.

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Date Posted: 1/3/2013 9:10 PM ET
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Thank you, Lita! I see you're doing the chronological schedule though and I was looking to do an Old/New Testament mix. BUT I would still love to see yours and hopefully alter it to the schedule I was planning! That would help me out a bunch!
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Date Posted: 1/4/2013 9:12 AM ET
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January Bookmark for Chonological Reading added in the top post.

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Date Posted: 1/4/2013 10:04 AM ET
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Lita, I just looked at your month of reading and it looks like you're reading plan is for reading the Bible straight through and not chronologically.  You have it going straight from Genesis to Exodus.  I see that the version you are using says it is in "chronological order".  Does it go straight from Genesis to Exodus? If you read it chronologically it goes Gen 1-11, Job 1-42, and then back to Genesis.  I just want to know if we're doing something different from each other before we get too far into the year.  smiley



Last Edited on: 1/4/13 10:15 AM ET - Total times edited: 2
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Date Posted: 1/4/2013 4:01 PM ET
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I am checking and sure enough on Jan 4 it does mention Job in the notes.  It says there is no scriptural reference to Job during the Genesis time frame, but compelling evidencd suggest it DID happen around that time, but the story was probably used to give hope to the remnant when they are exiled from Israel.

I am OK with having Job brought in then.  I will edit the bookmark and we will do the Job passages broken down into days, and then return to where we left of in Genesis.  How does that sound?

So... for now Day 4 is still the same... but Day 5 and following will be modified on the bookmark.

In the case I don't get to the bookmark today, Day 5 will Job 1-7 and Day 6 will be Job 8-10 Day 6 will be Job 11- 14 Day 7

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Date Posted: 1/4/2013 4:33 PM ET
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Jan   Genesis 1 -50     done

       Exodus  1 - 6     done

Feb  Leviticus 1 - 27   done        

           Numbers 1 - 13      done

Mar    Numbers 14 - 36   done

           Psalm 90                done

           Deuteronomy 1-34   done

           Psalm 91              done

          Joshua 1-24          done

          Judges 1-21          done


April

 Ruth      done
1Sam 1-31      done
 Ps 7/27/31/34/52                 done
 Ps 56/120/140-142             done
 Ps 17/35/54/63                     done
 Ps18                                       done
 Ps 121/123-125/128-130   done
 2Sam 1-4                               done    
 Ps 6/8-10/14/16/19/21         done
1Chron 1-2                             done 
Ps 43-45/49/84-85/87          done 
1Chron 3-5                             done
Ps 73/77-78                           done  
1Chron 6                                done

Ps 81/88/92-93                     done
1Chron 7-10                          done
Ps 102-104                           done



Last Edited on: 5/24/13 7:38 PM ET - Total times edited: 32
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Date Posted: 1/9/2013 10:41 PM ET
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Update... I am woefully behind in my reading, but having everyone here reading too will help me get caught up.

If there is anyone else struggling to keep up... just do the best you can...I am going to read an extra chapter when I do the reading to get caught up.

I posted 4 new January bookmarkss at the top:

Chronological

New Testament First

Old Testament First

Straight Through

Old/New together (part old and part new for each day)



Last Edited on: 1/9/13 10:41 PM ET - Total times edited: 1
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Date Posted: 1/10/2013 10:46 AM ET
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Thank you for posting different bookmarks.  I'd love to see more people in this thread.  Maybe we should change the title to "read the bible in a year" and take out chronologically?  That way people know that no matter how they are reading it, they are welcome to join the thread.  smiley

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Date Posted: 1/10/2013 12:17 PM ET
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Thank you for making those different bookmarks! I'm doing the Old/New Testament mix but I'm behind the schedule. I actually printed out my reading schedule and last night changed the dates to double the time. Essentially, all I did was make it a 2-year plan. I don't think I will be able to follow through the entire year to get it complety read BUT I don't think it will take a full 2 years either. This just gives me wiggle room so that I'm not stressed out at how far behind I am always and then give up. So my Jan 31 will just need to be read by Feb 28 instead, etc.
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Date Posted: 1/10/2013 12:20 PM ET
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I might end up in the same boat :  )... but at least I will know "what comes next" even if I am woefully behind in "days".

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Date Posted: 1/10/2013 12:23 PM ET
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I should add...I could power through and read it in entirety in one year. BUT, I'm reading to study and really "get it" and so as I'm reading, I'm also reading all of the footnotes and chapter notes, etc in my Study Bible. So I'm wanting to take a little more time for this project.
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Date Posted: 1/10/2013 12:35 PM ET
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Kelly, that makes total sense... I predict that I will mostly likely do the same as you.  I too wish to really check things out and see what I think about what I am reading.  I will keep the bookmarks up to date... even if I am not up to date :  )

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Date Posted: 1/10/2013 6:56 PM ET
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Yes, thank you for doing the bookmarks! I know they'll be handy and I'll be using them for sure!  :)

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Date Posted: 1/11/2013 12:52 PM ET
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For those of you that are behind, I'd like to give some tips from when I've done this in past years.  smiley
* Highlighting and writing notes in the margins can keep your mind engaged.  So while it might take a little longer to read the sections, it will help your mental intake of the material.  Both personal and historical notes are good.  I've found that color coding helps.
* If you are a few days behind, don't sweat it.  You can catch up when you have extra time or you can just add an extra chapter to your daily reading until you catch up.

Second Week:

Job 22-27 done
Again note that despite his friends saying that everything will be set aright if Job would just admit his fault, Job stands by his innocence, though he is increasingly frustrated by their disloyalty.
Job 28-31 done
28 - Commentary notes this was originally an independent piece that was later intergrated into this book.
29-31 - Job continues to insist his innocence and even counts the ways in which he has kept the faith
Job 32-37 done
Job 38-42 done
This is where it gets interesting.  Suddenly Yahweh comes down and tells Job that he may be innocent, but he knows nothing of the world.  Yahweh starts listing all of the things that he knows and wants to know if Job knows.  Of course Job doesn't and is quite taken aback by God's sudden appearance.
In 38-39 Yahweh names a number of animals.  According to scholars these may have been chosen purposely because of their negative imagery during the time.  They represent things like chaos, and yet even God knows their ways.
In 42 God reprimands Job's friends and tells them that they should ask Job for his prayers because Job stayed loyal to God and himself.  Job fulfills loyalty to his friends, despite their betrayal and prays for them.
Gen 12-16 done
Gen 17-20 done
Although the fall of Sodom and Gomorrah did have to do their wickedness.  Chapter 19 in particular is concerned with the customs of hospitality.  The visiting of angels/gods to a household is a common motif in many cultures and religions.
Gen 21-23 done
21:33 - God The Eternal (El Olom) is a divine name originally used by the Canaanites

3rd Week:
Gen 24-25 done
Gen 26-28 done

27 - It was believed that a blessing or curse once spoken took on a life of its own. This is why Isaac cannot take back the blessing to give it to the rightful heir
28:12 - going up is a common theme during visions and dreams from cultures and religions all around the world

Gen 29-31 done
Gen 32-34 done

32:23-33 - Tells of Jacob wrestling with a messenger of the Lord.  This takes place next to a river and the man leaves at dawn.  These are both references to folklore concerning river spirits and spirits losing power during the day.
Gen 35-37 done
Gen 38-40 done
Gen 39 - There is a similar story in Egyptian Lore called A Tale of Two Brothers.
Gen 41-42 done

4th Week:
Gen 43-45 done
Gen 46-47 done
Gen 48-50 done
Ex 1-3 done
Ex 4-6 done

Ex 7-9 done
Instances of "Pharaoh's Heart was hardened" - 7:13, 14, 22; 8:15; 9:7, 35.  Instances of "Pharaoh hardened his (own) heart" - 8:11, 28.  Instances of "Yahweh hardened Pharaoh's heart" - 7:3; 9:12; 10:1, 20, 27.
The plague narratives are a combination of Yahwist, Elohist, and Priestly sources.  Because of this, there are repetitions (gnats & flies; pestilence & boils).  There is also some contradiction (if all of the livestock of the Egyptians died in the fifth plague, they couldn't have been afflicted by boils in the next).

Ex 10-12 done
The author/scholar of my study guide questions the reliability of the reported plagues, particularly because the 10 plagues that made it into our current Bible are from a variety of sources.  Many people have suggested explanations for the events, but this scholar dismisses most of them and suggests some may simply be stories.

*I am using the Collegville Commentary as a study guide.  I am also doing a modified chronological reading list that is made for the Catholic Bible, which contains Apocryphal books not contained in other versions of the Bible*


Last Edited on: 2/2/13 12:08 PM ET - Total times edited: 20
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Date Posted: 1/11/2013 4:33 PM ET
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Do I have to use one of the four options you have to join this thread?  I have used a system for years that has one read some verses or chapters in Old Testament, New Testament, Psalms, Proverbs.  I think this is the set up in the "One Year Bible."   You end up going through Psalms twice in the year this way.  But who doesn't love Psalms!  I'm up to date on my reading.  I am using the New International Version as my Bible. 

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Date Posted: 1/11/2013 4:48 PM ET
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Hi Joy,

You certainly don't have to follow ANY of those plans!!  We can all chat about what we are reading and thinking... even if other aren't reading that currently.

I suspect that we will be all over the place on which part of the BIble we are reading...

So please join us!

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Date Posted: 1/11/2013 5:25 PM ET
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Jennifer, I like your idea about making notes.  I think I will slow down and pause more.  I am stil pondering the

"Walked with God"mentioned and Enoch:

Gen 5: 21-24

.21 When Enoch had lived 65 years, he became the father of Methuselah.

22 And after he became the father of Methuselah, Enoch walked with God 300 years and had other sons and daughters.

23 Altogether, Enoch lived 365 years. 24 Enoch walked with God; then he was no more, because God took him away.

I wonder what walking with God entailed... conversations? or just mental communication of some sort.  It is intersting that the reading kind of sounds like the didn't Start walking with God until he had his first child.  But it might have been for the full 365.  I  also wonder if the stages of life were spaced out over the long life spans.    They all had their sons al the ages when for us people would be grandfathers.   I also wonder what Methusselah felt about his father disappearing.  Did he know WHAT happened to his dad? or was it like The X-files for him? I wonder how much later after his life that this account was written.

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Joy, I would love to have you with us!  It doesn't matter what reading plan you are using.  This is a thread to keep us all motivated to read it within a year.  

Lita, the notes in the Collegeville Commentary suggest that Gen 5:21-24 may be a holdover from the kings of Mesopotamia and sun worship.  Enoch lived a total of 365 years, the total of days in a year.  The king was also said to have been "taken into company of the gods".

There's a piece of Apocrypha called The Book of Enoch the Prophet that's said to have been his journey (the link is a free e-text).  It's a fascinating, lovely, and terrifying read.  It might be worthwhile if you're curious of what his walk may have been like.

Since you are curious about the communication between God and Enoch (and I'm assuming other prophets in the Bible, as well?), Meditation and the Bible may be the kind of book you are looking for.  Kaplan does an in-depth study on that particular subject.  All of the works I've read by Kaplan have been excellent.



Last Edited on: 1/11/13 6:48 PM ET - Total times edited: 1
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I found a website--Biblegateway.com that has several different versions of the bible and several different reading plans available on line.  The reading plans are located at:

http://www.biblegateway.com/reading-plans/

You can choose your reading plan (Beginning to End/ Old and New Testament / New Testament only / Historical (which is chronological) etc.) from a drop down menu, and then choose the version of the bible you want to read from another drop down menu.  On the right, there is a little calander, so you can choose the day you want to read.  Then the daily passage appears on the screen.   I'm actually a few days ahead right now--reading from beginning to end.  I'm pretty sure that won't last, but who knows.

I've been accessing this site on my iPad, and so far, it works great for me.



Last Edited on: 1/11/13 7:12 PM ET - Total times edited: 1
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