I’m going on a wild adventure during Lent this year. And I’m inviting you to join me. As I’ve prayed this year, I’ve sensed the need to dive back into the Scriptures anew during Lent. As I’ve asked God what to read—Gospels, Epistles, Psalms, Prophets, Wisdom Literature, or Pentateuch—I’ve had this sense that I’m supposed to read “The Book.”
Not a smidgen or section or style of Biblical. But. The. Whole. Entire. Book.
In 40 Days. That’s forty. F-o-r-t-y. 4-0. Days.
The Bible contains 1189 chapters. That means reading the Bible in 40 days, requires reading about 30 chapters per day. When I first did the math, I was a little intimidated by the amount of reading this was going to take. But if you have a commute, errands, and like to take a walk each day, you can listen to an audio version of the Bible. About 90 minutes of Bible listening a day for forty days–and you’ll have covered the whole Scripture!
Many have been asking how to listen to the audio Bible for free. Here are several options on how to download or stream the audio Bible on your phones or computers for free:
- Listen with your YouVersion App. Download YouVersion—a free Bible app on the iPhone or Android. Open one of the versions of the Bible (like the NIV or KJV or NLT). Click on the speaker icon at the bottom of the page to adjust audio settings. Click on the long green play button to play or pause. Be sure to be connected to Wi-Fi while listening on YouVersion to ensure you don’t reach your data limit too quickly. Click here for more details.
- Stream Scripture on your computer at BibleGateway.com or TheStreamingBible.com . Both of these resources offer free streaming of audio Bible versions. You can even choose who narrates and whether it is dramatized or read with an English accent.
- Download in a different language. Bible.is offers a free Audio Bible download in dozens of different languages and versions. Click here to get started.
If you’re taking a road trip or do a lot of commuting, you may want to purchase The Message Audio Bible on 4-CDs or the King James Version read by James Earl Jones or the Bible Experience read by dozens of actors and actresses.
Whether you choose to turn the pages by hand or listen while you drive to work each day, my hope and prayer is that during this Lenten season, the wonder of Scripture will come alive in ways you’ve never experienced before. That you’ll feel the soft pinch of God’s presence and discover new facets of our wonderful God.
Click here to download the free Wonderstruck by Scripture: 40 Day Bible Reading Guide.
How are you choosing to read the Bible during Lent this season? Which audio Bible is your favorite?
Margaret, I did this very thing last year during Lent. I chose to read The Message and it was an awesome experience! It gave me such a sense of the entire story and how it all connects together. I’m certain that God will call me to do it again one year. Enjoy!
Holly, so glad to hear it can be done! Thanks for the encouragement!
So excited to get started tomorrow!
Stephanie, me too! Woohoo!
I’m more excited this year than last year! I had to start reading already!
Doe, me too! Can’t wait!
Hello,
I am so excited! This will be my first time doing this!! Would any one like to keep in touch to share how they have been WONDERSTRUCK through this 40 day journey?
Email, texting. calling…..=) =)
Many blessings,
Tina
Tina, thrilled you are joining us!
Count me in!! I’ll either be reading the Message translation or listening to it! Exciting…
I set this afternoon aside to prayerwalk and seek God’s will for me in this. I already read along daily with dailyaudiobible.com I saw some apiaries on my walk, stopped and watched the bees- tears streaming down my face as I watched them doing what they are created to do. I am created to have intimacy with the Living God! So, here I am, all in for a 40 day journey with my Abba….and all of you! Coming expectantly, Cheryl
Cheryl, thrilled to hear that he is revealing himself to you! What a wonderful thing to see him in our everyday life.
What a great idea Margaret! Would love to hear how this experience is for you in the future…
Thanks, Andrew!
I’ve been reading thru the Bible once a month since January of 2011. It is a discipline that has yielded rich rewards.
Tonia, thrilled that you are learning from your bible reading!