I love to read the Bible like the book, letter, poem, etc., that it is.  It changes my mindset and increases my joy.  When I read for pleasure I read my self created kindle version of the ESV.  I have used Logos Bible Software to delete the unwanted divisions in the text.  Now don’t get me wrong, I am not anti verses and chapters.  I love those little buddies.  But sometimes my buddies talk too much and are distracting.  Sometimes they need to go.

I have found that reading this way has increased my enjoyment of each book and has given me greater understanding of the biblical themes, which I now tend to remember more easily.  (When I am doing in-depth study I still use my study bible for verses and chapters for ease and speed.)

Five reasons to read the Bible without chapters or verses:

1.  You are reading the Bible how it was intended to be read
Verses and chapters are fairly modern in their usage.  Chapters were not introduced until around 1200, while verses came along around 1550.  The authors never intended their works to be broken up into arbitrary pieces to be analyzed independently.

2.  You get a much better context of what the author was trying to say
Our brains automatically want us to stop at the end of chapters.  The problem is, many of the chapters have no relation to the theme or thought that the author is trying to communicate.  We sometimes are stopping mid sentence or mid-theme!   This stop-and-go can be very confusing and can lead to misinterpretation.

3.  Biblical themes come alive
It seems that we remember stories better than facts.  When we read based on verses or chapters we often miss the story that is unfolding or the theme that is being explained.  Pardon the cliche but we can’t see the forest for the trees.  We are looking at each piece of the puzzle as a self contained unit, when the author could be making a wider point.

4.  It helps make you less duty and religious minded (and you actually read more!)
Verses are hugely useful for reference and speed.  They also can lead to a religious mindset of reading a set number of verses a day.  We humans easily slip into patterns.  I am all for reading plans, but it is a good idea to make one of our plans to simply enjoy the Bible.  God gave us this book not only for right doctrine, but to enjoy and understand His heart. Naturally, you will do more of what you enjoy doing.

5.  It can bring back the simplicity and joy of Bible reading
We have a book authored by God!  The God of the universe wants to talk to me!  Sometimes it is so refreshing to just be a child and have some wonder over the incredible nature of this book.  Its nice to have a version of the Bible that is uncluttered with notes and references so that we can just meet with God and have the Spirit be our teacher.

Links of interest:

A printed version of the Bible that has no chapters or verses: The Books of the Bible
A great breakdown of the book of Colossians as an example of why chapters and verses can sometimes hinder understanding

John Wesley, in the preface to his Old Testament Notes, makes some solid suggestions on general bible study that I find quite illuminating.  It is simple, yet challenging.  He sets forth some practical goals, but ends with a spiritual challenge that will send all your religion packing.  Religion learns but never DOES from the heart.  And as James says, what is head faith without action?- well it is DEAD. Part of faith is the risk it takes to obey God.  It is easy to study the bible for the sake of knowledge.  It is of course the application that is the ultimate snag or snare.  But empowered by the Spirit as Wesley suggests – we all can be challenged to do that which convicts us.   We will not only read, shrug, and continue in our paralysis.  I have made the underlines. If you would like to read the entire preface, you can find it here.

If you desire to read the scripture in such a manner as may most effectually answer this end, would it not be advisable,

1. To set apart a little time, if you can, every morning and evening for that purpose

2. At each time if you have leisure, to read a chapter out of the Old, and one out of the New Testament: is you cannot do this, to take a single chapter, or a part of one

3. To read this with a single eye, to know the whole will of God, and a fixt resolution to do it In order to know his will, you should,

4. Have a constant eye to the analogy of faith; the connexion and harmony there is between those grand, fundamental doctrines, Original Sin, Justification by Faith, the New Birth, Inward and Outward Holiness.

5. Serious and earnest prayer should be constantly used, before we consult the oracles of God, seeing “scripture can only be understood thro’ the same Spirit whereby “it was given.” Our reading should likewise be closed with prayer, that what we read may be written on our hearts.

6. It might also be of use, if while we read, we were frequently to pause, and examine ourselves by what we read, both with regard to our hearts, and lives. This would furnish us with matter of praise, where we found God had enabled us to conform to his blessed will, and matter of humiliation and prayer, where we were conscious of having fallen short. And whatever light you then receive, should be used to the uttermost, and that immediately. Let there be no delay. Whatever you resolve, begin to execute the first moment you can. So shall you find this word to be indeed the power of God unto present and eternal salvation.

If you have never read this precious pamphlet, or if it has been some years, I encourage you to be challenged by Studd’s work.  I felt so much faith rise up in me at the challenges he presents here and the biblical characters he highlights.  If you need a good slap in the face . . . this is your medicine.  You will find yourself laughing and cringing at the truths put forth.  It is a delightfully funny, and embarrassingly accurate portrayal of our own excuses and failures in giving all to God.

Read it on the web

Read it on your ebookreader

One of my favorite faith stories is Noah.  I am sure you remember him from your Sunday school days.  He didn’t cower in fear when God laid out a really unusual and humiliating plan for him.  He did it, and him and his family were saved.  Here are some characteristics that I love about Noah.

1.  Noah walked with God: Of all the men on the earth, Noah was the only one considered righteous.  This is summed up with the phrase “Noah walked with God.”  This is a term of acute intimacy and is shared with Enoch who was literally taken up with God.  Can’t get more intimate than that.  He loved God and set his heart fully to follow him.

2.  Noah obeyed God: It says two times in the text in Genesis that Noah  “did ALL that God commanded him.”  Noah did not pick and choose his obedience.  He heard what God said and he did it.  Period.  Kind of a strange thing to build an Ark when there is no flood let alone rain, but also fill it with animals.  This is really odd.

3.  Noah didn’t fear men: I cannot imagine the mocking that Noah must have encountered while building the ark.  I am supposing the heckling was incessant.  Year after year Noah remembered the command of the Lord and kept at it – building something no one else saw need for.

These are the “days of Noah.”  Will we join him in the Hebrews hall of fame or will we sulk off into the night of spiritual impotence?  In these days will we hear the clarion call of the Savior to prepare for a flood of souls before there is a flood of judgment?  Will we build what God has asked even if it makes no sense and makes us look like complete fools?  Will we share God’s desire that “no one perish” by seeing with eyes of faith 10-20-30-50 years ahead to be prepared for all God desires?  The pounding of Christ’s heart is for all who are lost.  Am I in line with his heart?  Do I hear his heart?  God help me.