Prime Time:

A 103 Week Journey Through God’s Word

This plan was created for the NIV 1984 translation. Using a different translation will still work but you may find that some of the reading breaks do not match your version’s breaks. That’s not a problem! Read to the next break in your text and then ponder why the translators thought there ought to be a difference. Remember, the Bible comes to us without any chapter and verse distinctions. Translators add those “breaks” to help our own minds and reading.

Now, why 103 weeks? This brings up the other goal: integration. This is a walk, not a run. While reading the Bible in 52 weeks offers a nice, neat and clean goal we are concerned that the speed of the journey can work against the reader. Temptations to “get through the assignment” or not to fall behind can cause us to miss the real goal of this exercise—that of letting the text get through to us. We believe the slower pace with extra reflection or catch up days will help us stay on track and think more deeply about how these words integrate with our own faith. As you follow the tips listed below, we are confident you will find benefit in this slightly longer walk too.

Traveling Tips for the Journey

Starting Out

• • Select a time of day when you are at your best (most alert) and do your best to be consistent in keeping that same time. This sets Bible reading as an important rhythm in your life.


• • If at all possible, develop a Bible Reading Community for your journey (it is always more fun to travel with others). Perhaps it is with your family, your group, or a handful of friends. While you don’t have to be intentional about reading the text in the same room at the same time (though you certainly could), I do hope you will be intentional and regular about discussing together what you read. Talking about the text will both reinforce and clarify the truth in your life.


•  • As you read, keep your spirit open to one thought that stands out to you and seek to carry that thought with you throughout the day. Is there something you would like to memorize? Is there something you could turn into a prayer that you offer throughout the day? What could you record in your journal? This extra step will help your reading better stick in your mind, integrate with your life and connect with other passages.


• • As you come to the Word each day ask God to open your eyes to its splendor (Psalm 90:14; 119.18, 36). Keep asking the Lord for His insight to the text. General Suggestions


• • When you run across a section that seems a bit “dry” keep 2 Timothy 3.16-17 in mind. Since all Scripture finds its source in God (“God-breathed”), ask Him why He chose to include this section and how it can be “profitable” for you.


•  • As you read be aware of the Spirit’s leading in you. If something stands out to you return to it and read it again. If time does not permit you to do so that day, mark the passage and return to it over the weekend. You may find it helpful to keep a journal of thoughts while you read (bullet points work here too). Going Deeper


• • Reading scripture leads us to prayer so let your prayers emerge out of what you read. Don’t choose between praying and reading Scripture—do both! After you read a passage, pray that passage for yourself and for those you love or sink down more deeply through the practice of Lectio Divina.


• • Use the weekends to either catch up or return to texts that spoke to you. Remember, our purpose is not to get through the text; our purpose is to let the text get through to us. Travel Guide and Ideas


•  • A helpful travel guide is Fee and Stuart’s book, How to Read the Bible Book by Book. Consider picking it up and reading the sections that pertain to your passages that week. You could also use the weekends to read the author’s introductions to the books you are about to begin.



• • More energetic readers are encouraged to add one chapter of Proverbs and a Psalm to their daily reading. Even though there are 31 chapters to Proverbs, do not feel compelled to go through one chapter each day. If something speaks to you, stop and read it again.