First, know all books of the Bible. Every Christian must read the whole Bible, all 66 books. If you read four chapters each day, you will finish all the Bible in one year. It takes less than half an hour to finish four chapters. If you read one chapter a day, you will finish the whole Bible in four years. You probably cannot remember all that you read. Still, it is very beneficial. For one, what you read and think you have forgotten are not forgotten but sometimes stored away in your memory. They can be retrieved when needed. Also, you may have forgotten what you read, but what you read in the past will help you understand the next things you read. For instance, after you read chapter 3, you will understand chapter 4. Also, chapter 4 will help you understand chapter 3. That’s why you must read all. I encourage every Christian to read through all the Bible once every few years. In my lifetime as a pastor, I probably will never finish preaching through the whole Bible—this thought sometimes troubles me. Please read all 66 books of the Bible. Then you will, minimally, know that there is in God’s word a particular teaching. Christians who do not read the Bible cannot grow. What you say and do will always be spiritually immature, even when you think it makes sense. Christians who do not spend serious time reading the Bible will be easily frightened, deceived by sin, Satan, and the false and harmful philosophies of the world. You may not choose wrongly in everything, but in the most important things you will make harmful choices. For your soul’s sake, read and love the Bible.
Second, know all the Christian doctrines. I challenge you to take up a thick systematic theology book to read from the first to the last page—read all. You think Christian doctrines are dry and can cure your insomnia? How wrong you are. Christian doctrines tell you the amazing things of God and eternal things. Then you will know what things are important and what are not. They help you understand human beings—you!—deeply. Then you will know how to live wisely now and for eternity. Christian doctrines contain the wisdom of God: “Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!” (Rom 11:33). Start by reading the Westminster Confession of Faith. It contains only 33 articles—they are relatively easy to read and understand. If you have read it, read it again. Read all—read the entire book.
Third, know all the background of every Bible book. Study Bibles (Bibles with explanatory notes) provide background information at the start of every biblical book. Read the backgrounds and introductions. These introductions will tell you the main contents, the historical background, and the main teachings of each book. This not only helps you know the main contents of each book, but also help you understand the details. Reading introductions and backgrounds is a quick way to read know all of the Bible. I hope to provide inserts in the Sunday weeklies of such introductions starting sometime next year. Psalm 119:98-100 says,
98 Your commands are always with me and make me wiser than my enemies.
99 I have more insight than all my teachers, for I meditate on your statutes.
100 I have more understanding than the elders, for I obey your precepts.