The Pentateuch - Creation to Promised Land - Companion Guides for Bible Reading, #1

So how should we read the Bible? The way it was put together by the Author: from beginning to end. And it could actually be very easy to do that. Unfortunately, to most people it seems like such a daunting endeavour, and where to start? As a result, most don't start, or start and stop rather quickly.

But let's clarify, we are not talking about studying the Bible – that's a totally different topic – we are talking about simply reading the book, giving attention to what we're reading. It's not about trying to work out doctrines or teachings, it's about getting a view of the whole Bible, and the flow of its narrative.

So, I'd like to introduce you to my programme, which is so simple, I can state it in one sentence:

Take the Bible, start reading one chapter a day, and just keep going!

This programme makes reading the Bible fairly easy, because it is the ultimate personalised programme:

You read a chapter every day (more if you have the time),

at a time that fits you;

and if you fall behind for some or other reason, there's no rush to catch up –

just pick up where you've left off, and carry on.

The major purpose of this book, and the series of which it is part, is to give you a short introduction to the various books, a brief overview of its contents, and the major themes each book covers. Nothing very academic, just information to help you make sense of what you're reading, and where it fits into the Bible's overall narrative.

Since you've acquired this book on the Pentateuch, I assume you're going to start at Genesis. Use the notes and overview as your map, to give you the big picture. And if you get lost in the forest, come back to the map to get your bearings again!