How to Read the Bible on a Daily Basis

There are probably a number of reasons why people do not read the bible on a regular basis. One of those reasons includes not having a sustainable bible reading plan in place, like choosing to read a resource like the United Methodist daily devotional "The Upper Room" or my method which is to use the Episcopal tradition of "The Daily Office."

But another reason which is equally a problem for a number of people is in not utilizing a bible translation that will meet their needs. Our denomination recommends the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) which is readable and yet attempts to stay close to the literal translation of the Greek and Hebrew. This is the translation we use in weekly worship and one that I use in my bible study/sermon preparation. My Wesley Study Bible uses this translation. Have I told you lately how much I love my Wesley Study Bible?

As wonder as the NRSV is, I think it would help a lot of people who are looking to read the bible on a daily basis to purchase "The Message" translation by Eugene Peterson, a bible scholar and creative writer who has translated the bible in such a way that an initial reading of a passage of scripture will in most cases be immediately understood. Peterson originally wrote this translation for the benefit of the unchurched who might find it difficult to understand complicated biblical terms and phrases. But what has happened is that churched people have gained from this fresh translation of the scriptures, including me!!!

Bible Gateway has an excellent website that allows you to type in a bible chapter/verse(s) and choose a translation of the bible which includes "The Message" translation. Curiously, they do not give you the NRSV as a choice. You can go into preferences and choose a default translation and save this to your favorite places and it will always give you that particular translation every time. I have mine set at "The Message" translation.

So, long story short, if you use "The Daily Office" method, you can copy and paste one of the daily readings in the Bible Gateway website, bring up this scripture from "The Message" and you will be able to have the immediate meaning of that passage using today's language style. I highly recommend "The Message" for people who are looking to read portions of the bible on a daily basis. You will get less frustrated than if you use the more standard translations and you'll be more likely to stick to your bible reading plan since the scriptures will come alive thanks to this easily readable translation.

Thank you, Eugene Peterson, for helping countless numbers of people read the bible on a daily basis with the help of your creative translation of the bible.