A lot of people take advantage of their entertainment streaming services to binge-watch multiple episodes of a particular TV show in one sitting.
How long would it take to spend the same amount of time reading … the Bible?
A few years ago, Crossway.org published an article titled “You Have More Time for Bible Reading Than You Think.” The results are rather interesting. (The chart below is from that article.)
To binge-watch all five seasons of Breaking Bad (I do not recommend you do!) would take 62 hours. On the other hand, if you don’t binge-watch, but “only” watch TV 30 minutes a day, you are still sitting there for 182 hours a year.
According to the chart below, reading the entire Bible would take an average reader 74.5 hours. Think about that for a moment.
If you read daily for 30 minutes at a slower speed of 170 words per minute (half a page), that is about 5,000 words or 16+ pages. At that rate per day, in one year, you could read the Bible (about 750,000 words) and still have 215 days left in the year.
Thirty minutes a day, at a rate of 170 words per minute, allows you to read 1.8 million words in 365 days. To make yourself feel very guilty, the site How Long to Read calculates the time to read any of the thousands of books in their database. Then compare that to the chart below.
The point is that you can be reading the most important book of them all, every day, and still have time left over for the rest!
In other words, be wary of binge-watching! The time spent could be time better spent.
For me binge watching has become
seeing maybe half a film
before my brain starts getting numb,
and I guess that might sound grim,
for how can I partake of essence
of the story’s flowing arc?
How can I soak in the presence
of kaleidescoping light and dark?
Yes, I know it’s very true
that there is much to me that’s lost,
but there are many things to do,
and sometimes there must be a cost
for spending time as to the best
in the final fatal test.
####
This is offered especially for those with a loved one facing a serious and perhaps terminal illness. The most common feeling from the ‘outside’ is that I need distraction from pain, discomfort, and dread, and that’s really the last thing I want.
Time is clearly slipping away, and there’s still so much to do, including long-range projects that I’m very unlikely to finish, but that are nonetheless investments in hope.
Binge watching or reading take me out of that proactively forward-looking mindset, so they are eschewed, and the boxed set DVDs and book series, so thoughtfully given, remain unopened.
Steve, I hope this wasn’t a distracting digression, and I, as always, appreciate the chance to contribute as I may.
Andrew, I get what you’re saying. If I were dealing with your illness, I would want to spend as much of my time as possible with the people I love. And maybe read some Scripture together and talk about how good God is. I did that with my dad, although by the time we got his prognosis, he only had a few days to maybe 2 weeks. He lived 8 days after that. The last day and a half was the only time he was unresponsive. I sat with him and we talked when he was awake. He asked me to read some Scripture. And when he was dozing and restless, I would sing every praise song and hymn I could think of. He really loved In Christ Alone and How Great is Our God. I hummed when I couldn’t remember the words. haha!
That last week with my dad was the most precious time I ever had with him. And for the last 7 1/2 years since he passed, I have this incredible grief that we couldn’t have had that closeness when he was alive. I guess we just didn’t know how.
I am so looking forward to seeing him again in glory!
All this to say, I understand, as much as I can, that you want to keep your thoughts forward. ((hugs)) and prayers!
Pam, thank you for this, for the thought and love and care in your words. This means the world to me.
One of the very few films I have lately managed to see is (this is the full title) Guy Ritchie’s The Covenant.
It helped me understand myself, and helped Barb understand the ethos into which she had married. So hard for her; so simple for me.
As always Andrew, I appreciate your perspective.
My post however was for those of us who often fail to realize how much time is spent on other things.
To listen to the audio reading of Hebrews takes about 45 minutes, for example.
I understand, Steve, and thank you for your forbearance. I’ll stay closer to topic in future.
I never timed how long it took me to read the Bible, but I typically like to read 2 OT chapters plus 1 Psalm, plus 1 NT chapter each day and with that can read through the bible roughly 1.5 times a year.
Don’t have to worry about binge watching. Don’t have cable. LOL!
Sometimes I binge watch because I just don’t want to think-+about anything. My mind has a tendency to work overtime and then invent time to work over time (seems like it anyway).
However, time spent in the Bible is never time wasted for those with sincere hearts.
Excellent challenge. I heard of a guy who wrote out the Bible 7 times.
I’m in the process of writing out the Bible…. slowing down and engaging more senses brings out things i’d glossed over previously.
Ooooooooh! I never thought about writing out the Bible. Are you handwriting or typing?
Pam, I copied the Torah (first five books of the Bible) in handwriting. It took me a couple of years because I only worked in very small time periods. It’s so easy for your mind to wander and make a mistake. But the insights you get when copying are priceless.
Sorry about the typo in my previous comment. Even though I check, now and again something will slip through.
Thank you for this article, I really appreciate it! Especially the data and breakdowns for each book of the Bible and reading times. I really, really appreciate these posts!
I’ve been reading The Passion Translation, and I know it’s controversial, but it’s made me fall in love with the Word again. I’m an extrovert with BIG emotions, so much of what’s said in the PT (especially in the Psalms) hits me in the heart.
I’m reading Psalm 119 again. I don’t even know how many times I’ve read that particular psalm. I know I’ve been through the NT a few times, Genesis twice, Ruth twice, and have read selections of Isaiah. I don’t have all the books … pretty sure they’re not all translated yet.
I do my readings at night. There’s not time in the morning, as I have my special needs adult daughter to take care of, but I read to her out loud every night. She can’t say much, and she’s super low functioning, but she can say Jesus. She loves hearing Scripture. She loves praying. She love praise and worship. I’m tellin’ ya, that girl knows Jesus way better than I do. haha!
For those who need a bit of help I would highly recommend using the “Bible In a Year” podcast by Fr. Mike Schmitz (you can find it on YouTube). Some of the O.T. books can be a bit difficult to get into but Fr. Mike breaks each daily reading down with a mix of Old and New Testament reading followed by a short commentary/discussion. In about 30 minutes a day you will completely read the entire Bible in one year.
Bravo for promoting Bible reading. It changes lives—yours and others
I found the binge watching/reading very intereting and helpful. It is worth keeping and sharing.
Steve, thank you for this beautiful wake-up call. It truly struck a chord.
I’ve often found myself praying not for more time, but for the Spirit to give me a love for the Word. Not just reading for reading’s sake, but reading to breathe in the life behind every page.
For some of us, it doesn’t come naturally. We aren’t avoiding the Bible out of laziness. We’re longing waiting on the Lord to turn reading into revelation. And I believe He honors that hunger, even when we don’t feel like we’re “keeping up.”
Your comparison was so well done. It gave the Word its rightful dignity. Not as just another book on the shelf, but as the map that leads to life. The map may look like 66 books, but in truth it’s one story one path toward the One who is the Word made flesh.
Entertainment can stir emotions, but only the Word can build the road under your feet.
Thank you again for reminding us. May every hour spent in Scripture grow into eternity in us.
Jorge Fecunda
Held in the Vine
For people who like a schedule to go by, I’ve used the One Year Chronological Bible. The readings are very doable in a year, and if you miss a day, it’s easy to catch back up.
I have read the Bible through many times over the years but this year I started the Bible Recap app via the You Bible. It’s been a revelation! I always assumed I didn’t have time to read the Bible in a year but I’m 103 days in so far this year. And, I’m loving it!
Thanks for your encouragement to keep going.
This is not good universal advice.
The Bible must be read intentionally, when one has the mental capacity to understand it. Furthermore, it cannot be read like other books. There must be consideration, reflection, etc.
TV’s primary function is to be used when there is no mental capacity, to switch off before bed, or to be worked in front of.
The Bible deserves better than that. If anything, it is directly comparable to work and should be read instead of that.
I’m sharing this with the girls in my Sunday school class. Thank you.