Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture on this website is taken from the New King James Version (NKJV). Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Bible Version
Personally, we both like to read the KJV of the Bible and, even though English is not our mother tongue, we understand most of its words and their meaning. We prefer the KJV-ish words and use this Bible during our personal devotional time. We like to see a ye instead of a you on the page if that is what the text needs to say (ye = plural form of you). Coming from a German background this makes much more sense to us.
We are not into the KJV-only movement, but we are defenders of the Textus Receptus (TR) which, again, often leads us back to the KJV. Most modern versions are using the Nestle Aland and other source texts for the New Testament. We love to read the KJV, for its beauty and for its source text. However, we are using a modern version (NKJV) for this blog to draw people to the Word and so that they will pick up their Bibles and read.
Devotionals
A Method For Prayer by Matthew Henry. This one is amazing! You will be guided in praying through the Bible. It’s available in printed form, as an ebook, and also online. You can read it online at Matthew Henry’s Method for Prayer or sign up for to read daily portions delivered by email.
Reading Plans
Carmen loves the Psalms and likes to read at least one every day. That’s why we have been searching for a plan that will not “just read through the Book of Psalms” in only a few days of the year but will each and every day offer a separate reading of this precious part of the Bible. The Legacy Bible Reading Plan does separate readings in the Psalms but only on three days per week. You might want to give it a try and discover that you will like the plan just as it is.
We had been looking for a bit more of a guidance on which and how many chapters to read a day, so we divided the books into daily reading portions. Instead of reading three psalms per week, we came up with a plan that will guide us through the psalms twice a year. If you are interested you can take a look at our Bible Reading Plan found in the sidebar (to your right).
Still looking for another guide to get you through the Bible in one, two, or three years? Check out Ligonier Ministries’ webpage called 2023 Bible Reading Plans for a good selection of different plans. The website of ESV (English Standard Version) also provides some suggestions at Reading Plans.
Memorization
Not everyone has the same learning style. Here are a few ideas to get you started. Pick and choose. You will find out what will and will not work best for you and your family. Above all, be creative and have fun while memorizing the Word.
Audio
- Use whichever audio device you prefer (CD-Player, iPod, mp3 player, etc.)
- Choose a part of the Bible you want to memorize. Select a book or chapter or a couple of verses.
- Listen to it over and over again.
- First repeat daily or even a few times per day. Then listen to it every other week or month. Keep reviewing it now and then.
Copy / Writing
Copy the verse into a journal. Hand-written is better than typed. It will sink in more easily. When doing copy work the next time cover the words and see if you can recall them by memory. Work through the text bit by bit. Keep writing the same verse/s the following days. Don’t just write them down once.
Repetition
Repeating the words over and over again — by listening to them, by saying them out loud, and by copying them into a book — will make the verses get into your mind and sink into your heart.