How Reading the Entire Holy Bible Transformed My Walk with Christ

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path

Psalm 119:105 KJV

Deciding to read the Holy Bible from beginning to end was not something I initially aspired to accomplish. I believed my walk with Christ was sufficient enough to guide me through every season of my life. I studied scriptures, attended church, prayed, fasted, and tried to live my life according to the Word. Yeah, I sinned like anyone else, but I had no problem repenting and making an effort not to repeat the same mistakes. Discerning His voice was also not an issue for me, and I felt the presence of God’s hand in my life. I believed He would always protect me from harm and correct me when I was wrong. So, reading the Bible from cover to cover never seemed necessary until my perspective on life shifted in 2023.

I moved back home with my parents to save money. I was loving my job and preparing to brand myself for a promotion. I got into a relationship, and I even started writing. I thought these shifts were positioning me for the next phase of my life, and I should’ve been building on them. However, I was drowning in constant thoughts of feeling behind and sensing a higher calling on my life that I couldn’t discern. Also, the way society defined success started to influence my mindset and the way I navigated life. Ultimately, I felt lost. I started to believe that I missed the opportunity to walk in my calling and that God was turning away from me. The lies of the enemy were convincing, and my two favorite scriptures, Proverbs 3:5-6 and Matthew 6:25-34, weren’t resonating in my heart, so I shut down, and it became a challenge to hear God’s voice all together.

By the end of the year, I received the revelation that I did not know God’s character like I claimed and that I only viewed Him as a disciplinary and not a Father. With this understanding, I went to Christ in prayer, telling Him that I wanted to get to know His character for myself and that I wanted to view Him as a Father that would always take care of me, even when I don’t know how He’s working behind the scenes. He responded, instructing me to read the entire Holy Bible.

You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

Jeremiah 29:13 NIV

How Did I Prepare?

The thought of reading 66 books within one volume, with pages nearly as thin as tracing paper, all written in a different contextual framework intimidated me. So, I had to create a realistic plan to keep myself from becoming overwhelmed.

1.     I prayed. I sought first the kingdom for guidance in selecting the right resources to help me navigate my journey. I also prayed as I read the Bible to understand what God wanted me to know during my reading time.

2.     I went in with an open heart. I was looking for God through the text, not myself. I wanted to receive whatever He intended for me to learn, without mentally restricting how He might present Himself. I removed all barriers that could prevent me from fully experiencing Him. This included preconditioned views of Him and prohibited actions that I learned during my adolescence such as not asking Him questions.

3.     I found resources that helped me pace myself while correctly interpreting scriptures as they are intended. The last thing I wanted was to finish reading the entire Bible without a proper understanding of what I had read.

a.     I subscribed to a reading plan through the Bible App called The Bible Project 365-Day Bible Reading Plan. I needed more than just an audio version to help me pronounce names; I required additional context from theological scholars to better understand scriptures that I often found difficult. The Bible Project plan provided exactly what I was looking for. It outlined a specific number of chapters to read each day and included video overviews that broke down each book and highlighted significant parallels that might otherwise go unnoticed. The Bible Project organization also has an app that offers even more videos and Bible studies.

b.     I used a study Bible that provided additional insights to ensure I fully understood what I was reading. When selecting a Bible, I searched for a version that offered language I could easily follow. The New Living Translation (NLT) version was my go-to.   

• Versions: NIV, NASB, and ESV are really good options as well.

What Caught My Attention?

I didn’t know what to expect when reading the Bible, but the last thing I anticipated was that it would be entertaining. The entire book of Genesis was action-packed and had me on the edge of my seat. Exodus made me want to jump into the story to tell the Israelites to get their acts together, the Song of Solomon left my jaw on the floor, and Romans became apart of my top 5 favorites.

I also quickly observed God's consistent nature in every story, His plan for humanity, and how intentional He was about processing different individuals (King David, Joseph, Jesus - just to name a few) before elevating them to walk in their purpose.

In addition to these discoveries, I gained new revelation from some familiar books by reading them through a different lens, such as the story of Ruth. Growing up, I focused mainly on the love story between Ruth and Boaz, not realizing the significance of Naomi’s narrative, Ruth’s mother-in-law. After reading it with her in mind, I realized that the story perfectly illustrates how God will never leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). It shows how He is always working for our good (Romans 8:28), even when we lose hope. It also depicts how He can use anyone, even those we least expect, to fulfill His will in our lives, and this story was a reminder that His plans for our lives are not just for our benefit, but they are to impact generations.

 What Did I Experience?

Disclaimer: Before reading any further, it’s important to know that this is what I experienced through my own personal journey. If you decide to read the Bible, your experience could be completely different. You must have a heart that is open and willing to receive whatever God wants for you.

1.     I started to hear God’s voice. As I read through each book, God began to reveal Himself to me through the scriptures. He highlighted areas where I needed to grow and areas where I needed to trust Him more. He showed me His consistency not only through the Word but also in my life, where I had been too stubborn to notice. I was convicted a lot!

2.     My prayer life became intimate. I started to shift my prayers from requests, worries, and complaints to worship, gratitude, and praise. Although nothing had changed in my external circumstances, the Holy Spirit was working in my heart. My desire to be in His presence grew stronger, and even to this day, it has become increasingly difficult to cease praying.

3.     My faith enlarged. When God revealed the areas where I needed to improve, I faced a series of tests shortly after. During each test, I was required to relinquish control and allow Him to show up for me. This process was definitely not easy and sometimes felt scary. However, to firmly believe that He is my Father above all else, I had to be tested in every way and learn to let go of the wheel and submit.

4.     The Word anchored in my heart, and I started to see myself as His child. I’ve read Psalm 139 many times, and it’s one of my favorite Psalms that reminds me of God's love. However, during my journey, this Psalm hit my spirit in a different way. It served as a reminder that He sees me and knows every single detail about me, even the parts I try to hide, because He created me. It reassured me that I can never escape His love, and He will always extend His hand to guide me, no matter where I am in life.

5.     My lifestyle began to change. During my transformation, I began to desire what God wanted for me. The places I visited, the music I listened to, the goals I set, and the conversations I engaged in all shifted to preferences that honored the Kingdom. This change was subtle, and I didn’t fully notice it until a few months into my reading. Now, I am completely dedicated to following the will of God.

6.     I gained biblical clarity. After finishing the book of Revelation, I felt a sense of accomplishment knowing that I had read the Holy Bible from beginning to end. It was even more fulfilling to realize that I gained a better understanding of each book. Now, I feel more confident engaging in in-depth theological discussions and can articulate the reasons behind various scenarios in the Bible. I can even recognize when someone is misusing scripture. This was just the first round. I plan to continue my studies this year by diving deeper into each book.

To bring everything together, aside from dedicating my life to Christ, reading the Bible has been the most fulfilling experience I've had. My perception of life has completely changed; I'm no longer worried about the future, and now I trust God enough to fully embrace my purpose because I understand what it means for Him to be my Father.

If you're considering reading the Bible, let this serve as encouragement: you can do it, and God will meet you at your level of understanding. Take the time to choose a version that you find easy to read, seek out resources that can help you pace yourself, and if you find yourself off track, remember why you're engaging with the Living Word and keep going. God loves you, and this is just the beginning of your journey.