Bob Kauflin, director of worship development for Sovereign Grace Ministries, completed his goal of reading the ESV study bible in one year. Here is the link to his end of year thoughts:
http://www.worshipmatters.com/2009/12/31/thoughts-on-the-esv-study-bible-now-that-ive-read-it
And his encouragement to us?
For those of your who have tried to read through the Bible in a year and failed, you’re not alone. Let me suggest a simple practice that has helped me immensely. Each time you sit down to read, read two days of your plan instead of one. You’ll always be ahead of your schedule, even when you miss a day or two; you’ll be relieved of the pressure of having to “catch up” or stay up to date; you’ll have time to look up other passages; and you’ll just enjoy the process a lot more!
Reading the Bible through in a year is challenging, but can be done if you don’t give up after missing a day or more.
In the past 5 years I have read through seven different Bibles, including two study Bibles.
But the ESV Study Bible is a whole nother ball game. There are over 2 million words, only 750,000 of which is the biblical text.
I have certainly missed a day from time to time, but I am currently 57% of the way through, after one year, and look forward, with God’s help, to finishing the task in 2010.
I think Bob needs a round of applause if he really read all the articles, all the introductions and all the study notes. I am aiming to do this, but am not looking up every single cross-reference!