I hesitated to tackle Professor Grant Horner’s Bible reading plan when I first discovered it, but now it’s my all-time favorite.
As Christians, we want to love reading the Bible, so we feel guilty when we don’t. Professor Grant Horner has come to our rescue. He created a unique system of lists that not only guides our daily reading, but it also helps foster a love for our daily Bible reading.
Let me share one of the exciting aspects of this plan in his own words:
“Since the lists vary in length, the readings begin interweaving in constantly changing ways. You will NEVER read the same set of ten chapters together again.
My Reason for Hesitancy
Since Professor Horner’s reading plan keeps our daily reading fresh by mixing up our reading unlike any other plan I’ve seen, you may wonder why I hesitated. Or maybe you’re not wondering because you picked up in Professor Horner’s quote, the reason I hesitated to tackle this plan: He calls for us to read ten chapters each day. Yes, you read that right. Ten chapters every day!
Don’t panic. I understand. Keep reading.
Like me, you’re surely wondering how you’ll find time to do all that reading in your limited schedule. Professor Horner explains. The reading truly gets easier over time, and the rewards are exhilarating as we get more of God’s Word in our hearts and minds.
God’s Word never fails to accomplish all He sends it out to do (Isaiah 55:11), and one of the greatest works He sends it out to accomplish is to transform those who trust in Him.
So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It will not return to Me empty, Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.
Isaiah 55:11, NASB
Professor Horner encourages us to try this for one month. I did. Now I can’t imagine myself ever not using this system.
The Right Goal
Forget about the time it will take. Just like with all Bible reading, rather than worry about the time, pray, plan, and keep going even if you don’t finish the day’s plan. Don’t give up.
Maybe read five chapters in the morning and five at night. Or finish at lunch. Or over coffee. Or the next day. Pick up wherever you left off and keep going.
Don’t make your goal finishing the reading but rather knowing God through the reading.
God designed all of Scripture to help us know Him. Read as much of the lists as you can each day with your eye continually on the right goal—the goal of simply knowing God better and better.
You can do it. It is so worth it!
Scripture Interprets Scripture
When I first heard the phrase “Scripture interprets Scripture,” I didn’t understand exactly what the pastor meant. I soon discovered the beauty of it.
All of Scripture is connected. If one section of Scripture confuses us, we’ll likely find the explanation in another section. Keep reading.
The more we read the Bible, the more all of it makes sense. It explains itself. As Professor Horner says, “Since the interweaving is constantly changing, you will experience the Bible commenting on itself in constantly changing ways.”
As we read through these ten lists, we’ll be amazed at how we’ll begin to recognize Scripture interpreting Scripture. I’ve seen this using other Whole Bible reading plans, but, to me, this plan surpasses them—especially because of the constant changing but also the repetition.
With most reading plans, we read through the whole Bible once. It’s always the same. With Professor Horner’s plan, we read several books and chapters more than once.
The repetition helps us connect and remember the whole Bible even better. The changing of which books and chapters we’ll read together allows the Bible the comment on itself more and helps us call other passages to mind while we’re reading.
Yes, this reading plan demands more reading but it also gives more rewards. And it gets easier.
Listen to what else Professor Horner says of his system:
“Most people decrease their time spent and increase their retention after just two-three weeks!
“After you’ve read any particular book once or twice, your speed in that book usually doubles or triples because you’re familiar with it and can move quickly and confidently—because you are no longer merely decoding the text but thinking it through in the context of all of the Scripture!”
Get More Details and Try It Out
In the link below, Professor Horner explains the system and provides a printable sheet of the ten lists.
Professor Grant Horner’s Bible Reading System
If you take the challenge, I’d love to hear what you think of it. Remember to give it at least a month.
If you have any questions about it, I’m happy to answer them. Simply reach out to me on my contact page.
Other Bible Reading Plans
If you’re interested in checking other great Bible reading plans, check them out here: The Best Recommended Bible Reading Plans
Whatever you do, remember that reading the whole Bible isn’t about fulfilling a duty, conquering the Bible, or checking off our To-Do list. It’s about knowing God and being transformed by Him through His Word.
