When a Pastor’s Daughter Finally Starts Reading Her Bible

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Hi Friend,

I grew up in a very religious family. My Dad was a pastor, and so were both my maternal and paternal grandfathers. I quite literally grew up in the church; many of my childhood memories involve a church in some way. That being said, I took for granted the fact that I was surrounded by the church and I never truly read my Bible with the intention to learn anything.

If I’m being completely honest, I didn’t really care.

Motherhood changed me in more ways than I can ever even try to explain. For one, it drew me into holistic living and the use of natural remedies. But, two, it gave me a deep desire to KNOW God. To understand His word.

Where am I going with this? I’m so glad you asked.

Over the past few months, I have made it a priority to actually read my Bible. And it’s been humbling (and a little mind-blowing) to realize that I know next to nothing about anything in those pages. Like, I grew up IN the church, I should know a lot, right? WRONGGGGGG.

The more I read, the more I want to keep reading and learning. I’m 35, and I finally get the hype.

I’ve always considered myself a Christian and believed, but I never really understood how people could be so excited to read the Bible. How they were able to do their devotions each day. I wanted to feel like that, and I didn’t understand why I couldn’t.

It’s somewhat embarrassing to share that. After all, I was a pastor’s kid. I was supposed to be like that, to feel like that – it was expected of me. Sharing that feels like I’m finally able to take off the mask of that “Perfect-Pastor’s-Daughter” and I cringe a little at exposing it.

Anyways, I still owned my “Bible for Teenage Girls,” which I received on my 13th birthday, so I figured it was time to upgrade to a “Big Girl Bible.”

I chose a journaling study Bible. I love it for many reasons. But most of all for the notes, context, deep dives, explanations, etc that are on the bottom portion of each page. (The top portion of each page has the Biblical Text).

Then, along the outer margins, there is a section for notes. In these sections, I write prayers, requests, notes, things I’ve learned or realized, deep dives I want to go on, etc.

I’ve shared about this Bible and my spiritual journey on Instagram, and every time I do, I get asked about this Bible, what I’m reading, and where I started.

Hence, this blog post.

I do feel like I need to say that I very much feel like a baby Christian and that I am learning, and in no way do I feel qualified to teach you anything. But I am really stoked about what I’ve been learning, and maybe you will be too? That’s my hope.

Okay. back to the Bible. This is the order I’ve been reading in.

It may be totally wrong and not make sense, it may be great, I have no idea. But in my mind, and prayers for discernment, this is what makes sense and what I’ve been doing:

1. Genesis
   My husband and I started reading Genesis together – start at Chapter One? Yes, I know, a groundbreaking idea.
   We got a decent amount of the way in, and then with everything going on in the world, we wanted to read more about Jesus, His life, His ministry, etc. So we tabled the rest of Genesis (for now).
2. Matthew
   Then we went to Chapter One of the New Testament together. We read together when we could and separate when we weren’t able. Somehow, every time we were able to read together, we were on the same page – literally and figuratively.
3. Revelation
   It’s no surprise that the world feels heavy right now. And there is a lotttttttt going on. We both keep seeing people speaking about Prophecy and the end times, and well, that’s what the Book of Revelation is all about.
   I’m going to be totally real: this book confuses me. Even with the study notes, etc. It’s a lot, it’s heavy, and it’s a lot to unpack. My husband and I are reading this together (and only together). We read 1-2 chapters as often as we can, and then we read the study notes and go on tangents if we need more context for something. We move SLOW.
   
   We plan to revisit the Book of Revelation again after reading other chapters in the Bible (TBD, but Isaiah and Ezekiel are up there). We are hoping that after gaining more insight and context, some things will make more sense when we re-read it.
   
   I also want to say that EVERYTHING I thought I knew about Revelation is just *one theological theory.* And that what I was told growing up was my parents’ interpretation of it, and just one school of thought. That there are other possibilities for what it means and how everything is going to happen. MIND. BLOWN.
4. Mark
   I am currently reading Mark solo. My husband finished it. (He is reading The Every Man’s Bible. His Bible does not have in-depth study notes like my Bible has, so he can move through it quicker.) He really likes this Bible, says the translation is easy to understand, and the notes/context on the pages are succinct but valuable.
5. Luke
   I will read Luke next. The church we used to go to in Michigan is doing a series called “According to Luke.” They are going line by line and verse by verse through Luke. They post these sermons as podcasts. My husband has listened to every episode while on his commute to work. He plans to skip reading Luke for now. I haven’t listened to all of them, only a few. But they’re great, and we really miss this church. Check them out here.
6. John
   My husband is reading John right now and flying through it. I’ll read it after I finish Mark and Luke.
7. Back to Genesis
   We plan to go back to Genesis and finish it and then move on to some of the books surrounding prophecy? TBD?
8. Isaiah?
   TBD
9. Ezekiel?
   TBD

If you have been on this journey too, or are just starting, please know you are not alone in feeling like you’re late to the party. I spent 35 years thinking I had already missed something everyone else got. I hadn’t. And neither have you.

Leave a comment below — I genuinely want to know where you are in this. Are you just starting? Have you been reading for years? Is there a book that completely changed things for you? What should I read next? Tell me EVERYTHING.

In Love, Health, and Vitality,

Ash