Setting Up My 2023 Bible

I walk you through a quick setup of my 2023 Bible. I talk a bit about my Bible markup system and how I hope to read this year.
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[@naomiavery1906]

Hi Chad, I've decided this year to strip things back to what's important for me, so I'm not using a colour code system because I found that when I did this I stopped 'reading' the Bible and started focusing on my colour code, I am also trying to just read in the morning then reread and annotate/study the same chapters in the evening, this way I'm giving myself proper time to absorb what it actually says

[@revchadbrooks]

That sounds like a solid plan

[@paullydca]

Dying.... ROFL!!!! "I don't want all of the King James only people calling me all the time." Brother.... LOL!!! Good insight, to not feel the need to copy what others do for your system, and that it should be evolving. So far I"m into 6 colours using zebra midliners. If you add ribbons in, best solution I found was from a youtube video. GLue ribbons to a index card with crazy glue, then glue the index car and slide it the gap between the paper and binding. i've got a few bibles that this solution lasted for a long time. As far as Catholic books. I really enjoy Tobit. Very interesting story. Overall I don't have a plan for reading this year. My major read/study focus is on teh catechism. I"m doing a catechism in a year program. But I do need to get onboard with something focused scripture wise specifically.

[@IAmTheZombieGirl]

great tip re the ribbons! I’m going to have to give it a go 😊 thank you!

[@dalecaldwell]

I need to adopt a key system. I always think I will remember why I chose a colour, but I forget it.

[@seleinawilson1964]

I'll be using my NRSV and will be doing The Bible Recap, reading through the bible chronologically. I hope to do deeper studies on Paul, the Trinity and learning more about Idolatry.

[@revchadbrooks]

I've got a color in my marking system for idolatry! Have you read GK Beale's "We Become What We Worship" yet? I would highly recommend it for anyone studying idolatry.

[@IAmTheZombieGirl]

I’m continuing reading in my Catholic NRSV (from last year) because I’m really enjoying it; it’s a soft cover and I love it. I have no setup, I just highlight and underline whatever speaks to me, and then rewrite the verses in a commonplace book as an injection of God when life calls for it. Because of you, I’m using the TUYB plan and started a few days ago. I’m really enjoying it because like you said, you’re reading the whole book and not skipping through the Bible for a bit of everything (and that drove me nuts!). I’m also reading the “Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible” as I go along. That has been really helpful in giving more context to what I’m reading about. I started listening to Rabbi Daniel Latin and his explanation of Jewish/Hebrew phrasing and words has also given context to the OT for me that has been missing. So now I’m on the search for a proper Jewish Study Bible to explain the OT better. Anyone have suggestions? My word for the year is CONVICTED. No more wavering in my faith. Thank you Chad. You have been instrumental in lighting the fire under my butt to walk down this path fully. You’re a breath of fresh air! If I’m ever in the US, I hope to visit your church! Many blessings!

[@IAmTheZombieGirl]

Rabbi Daniel Lapin not Latin

[@revchadbrooks]

That cultural background bible is FANTASTIC. I'm a big fan of Craig Keener, who was the general editor.

[@IAmTheZombieGirl]

@@revchadbrooksThat’s great to hear!! Thanks for the reply :)

[@pattimoose1]

OH my goodness!!! I wish I could hang out with you and read bibles!! I connect with everything you wrote. I'm rewriting verses too in my journal, but I do have a commonplace book for just stuff. Not just Christian. So I might think of doing that with another one, and make it for my christian stuff. I'm trying to learn Hebrew, and a guy mentioned the complete Jewish study bible. I have it on my wish list on Amazon. But I also read the Tree of LIfe version of YouVersion. Do you like the NRSV? I just bought an ESV and I'm not sure I like it! I have an old NASB, and I like it but can't see it! Take care, Loved reading your comments!!

[@Servant_of_Yeshua96]

@@pattimoose1I have the CJB and the TLV. For a deeper Jewish understanding the CJB is good. Also the CJV(complete Jewish version) and the TLV is a miniature version of the cJB meaning it’s like the cJB but more English than Jewish. Never read the Nrsv. I like ESV. I want to learn Hebrew too.

[@writingaworldofmyown2708]

I've used extra large adhesive corner pockets from Erin Condren to organize my inserted papers. Maps, family trees, or extra notes on something. I have one in/on each of my testament section pages

[@revchadbrooks]

I might need to look into those.

[@Jason-L-Ledford]

I have set a New Years Goal this year that I'm going to do each year which is instead of reading and marking the bible in a Haphazard way. I've designed an actual marking system instead of no method to my markings. I've adopted yours and Jason's Mayfields method of buying either a new journaling bible or a wide margin bible each year were I read and mark in that bible for an entire year and then retire that bible and start a new one the following year. The bible that I'm using for 2023 is a ESV Single Column Journaling Bible, Large Print. I'm also using Jason Mayfields newest TUYB reading plan. I'm also using Jonathan Edwards miscellanies system for keeping up with my notes because i'm using notebooks so that, I can have extra room to write notes. God Bless You Sir!

[@joesbibles5636]

Cool video. My 2023 Bible is all set up. Gonna do the M’Cheyne Bible reading plan and will weave in the following translations into another plan: NASB, NLT, and NET.

[@revchadbrooks]

You've got that locked down!

[@olwynbowden5193]

I have just bought Crayola Twistable Crayons. They make great highlights with no bleed through

[@revchadbrooks]

That's rad!

[@lisamorgan6433]

I am reading 2 reading plans and going one from cover to cover but I don't need to set up bible I am using the same nasb from last year and have no plans for note taking in the 2 new bibles 😁 I'm in nasb kjv and ceb gave the online interlinear a break for reading plan this year but will be using it for scripture writing 😃

[@InChristAlone830]

Great video

[@TheDareD3vil]

Hey Chad! I’m a minister in Missouri. Enjoyed watching your video. It’s given me some things to think about in the way I use my bibles this year, even though I don’t use a different one every year. I have a wide margin Bible that I use for most things and a smaller one that I carry around everywhere. A lot of my main goals for the year are reading focused. I want to get through the whole text systematically multiple times, and I have a long book list to work through as well. Looking forward to it, and I’ll be watching more of your videos.

[@revchadbrooks]

Thanks for jumping into the comments. I love it!!!

[@roceeshag75]

love the set up and standing pen case!!! thanks for sharing

[@revchadbrooks]

You are so welcome!

[@daveyks1]

Hi Chad....Happy New Year! Love the new setup....:)

[@revchadbrooks]

Thanks!

[@PastorPeewee20]

Very nice 👌 ty God bless

[@pattimoose1]

Hi, I found you tonight and I'm so glad I did!! Love your insights and tips. I don't "set up my bible" per se. I just bought an ESV study bible and I thought I'd be in love with it, but I'm not. So, I will stick with it for now. I do a Common Lectionary reading in the mornings, and I'm doing the Mayfield reading too! I wanted to do the Psalms 30 day....but I read something good, and I just stay and wallow in it. I don't want to move on. So I wallow and absorb and try to memorize it. I'd like to memorize more verses this year too. So glad I found you and I'm subscribing!! :)

[@yvettetownsend3965]

(I'm at the part where you are adding pages to the back.) Have you tried Tomoe River paper? It's super thin but has almost no bleed through. Perfect for fountain pens.

[@revchadbrooks]

Yes I have. I went way too deep into a pen/paper hole a few years back. It is fantastic stuff.

[@chrisjwilson]

Love the video. I've been using the NRSV in Logos for something very different from my traditional translation. You mentioned that you do your blitz readings on the iPad, I was curious if you're using a specific app for that and how it's similar/different to your analog reading. ALSO you should totally leave Roam and join the Obsidian family. Just saying ;)

[@TheWordNerd]

Love you vids! I wasn't happy with the amount of bible I read or studied last year even tho I was in it most days. So for this year is very similar to your. I am also using TUYB, big fan of Jason's! 😆 and then digging deep at night and/or on weekends. Those digging deeper are right now for KZbin series I'm doing in Hosea and Galatians but I definitely enjoy my time with the Lord in those.

[@jasonmarshall5730]

Hey Chad! I'm doing a NT in a year plan with my church, which I will use personally for deep dive. I'm going to read through the NET in the first 6 months of the year, and the Time with Jesus plan in the NLT Jesus Centered Bible in the back half of the year. I'm continuing to preach from my CSB Verse by Verse Wide Margin (I'm starting my 2nd year in that Bible).

[@philipbeyersdorf4026]

Great video! Thanks, Chad. I've been intrigued to use just one Bible for the whole year in every aspect of Bible reading and the Ministry. For 2023 I'm using a hardback Cambridge wide margin. I've inserted the readings for the One Year Lectionary (Lutheran Church Missouri Synod). Also, I've glued in a one-year reading plan that "takes off" Sundays to read the Gospel for that day (or to catch up).

[@revchadbrooks]

Sounds like a plan!

[@philr3381]

I really like your system, and bible choice. I made a last minute switch for my 2023 to the Cambridge NRSV reference edition in red hardback which I call the "Cardinal".

[@revchadbrooks]

HA HA HA. I love that name. Makes perfect sense.

[@jjswife10]

Love the setup. I'm still trying to get my new Bible setup, my biggest goal this year is to really study a couple chapters each day and dig deeper into God's Word.

[@revchadbrooks]

Anytime in the scripture is a good time in the scripture!

[@ellengraves8146]

I’m setting up my Bible right now, and my plan this year is to spend a lot of time in the gospels as well as the minor prophets. I’ve done “read the Bible in a year” plans over and over, but I really need to slow down and zoom in on some specific books.

[@castledoctrine1548]

Hopefully your reading is going well. I hope you don't skip Sirach or Wisdom of Solomon - they are both really good.

[@mitchellboone]

Thanks for this. Looking at doing something similar this year. Curious if you have a link for this specific Bible.

[@revchadbrooks]

Whoops. Forgot to put it in the description. Just added it in.

[@Agben35]

Great video. I’ve switched to a new Bible for 2023 for the first time in like 30 years. (Old bible was too marked up). My pastor mentioned he does a new Bible every year. So I’m trying it. My reading plan is on YouVersion, but I do it on my Regular Bible. I’ve never been a fan of hard cover bibles, but you just might have intrigued me enough to try one next year. I added tabs before 1/1. And my marking plan includes 6 colors…. Orange = Themes Green = normal highlight/remember Purple = Memorize Yellow = don’t do this Pink = Danger / Warning Blue = History/Reference/Repeating Black/Blue ink for personal study Red ink for sermon/podcast/group study notes. My reading plan is a YouVersion Read through in a year. I do it with 7 other people. But I actually read it on my physical Bible. I also always have a personal deep dive going on a particular book, but I don’t think I’m devoting enough deep to the dives. I seem to always be pushing for quantity instead of quality. Also in a group study of a deep dive on a book. Excited about the 2023 year, ready to get deep with God.

[@mikewelch6192]

I am using the exact same bible right now. My only criticism is the paper bleeds pen

[@danaoglesby5491]

Do you find that you ever repeat same or similar notes in your multiple bibles. Also, do you ever pull your old ones out to refer back to something?

[@sdhute]

Trying to figure out a key system myself something that makes sense.

[@revchadbrooks]

A key makes all the difference. Keep on pushing in!

[@JustinCarter]

Question do you use this Bible for EVERYTHING? Like preparing for Bible studies, sermons, & personal devotional time?

[@revchadbrooks]

Yep. Everything besides actually preaching on Sunday morning.

[@MM-jf1me]

I don't really do yearly Bibles. I jot notes in the margins; I want to try to incorporate highlighters for word studies or to help see themes, but my big aspiration this year is reading through the prophets: I know I've read them all at some point in my life, but honestly I was too young to understand most of it. I always seem to skip the prophets when I'm reading and I want to change that. Any general advice for a layperson?

[@kathymarie9933]

I like the nkjv and I have cambridge wide margin. The only negative is its in paragraph form and I prefer verse by verse. But I can't find a wide margin in that format that I like I also have a nkjv interleaved that I really like but it's heavy! Can I just say I hate the paper in most bibles now aways. Yeah. Hate them. I love the paper in my cambridge.

[@revchadbrooks]

I don't know if I have ever seen a verse-by-verse wide margin. And those interleaved bibles can be CHUNKY!!!

[@kathymarie9933]

The kjv cambridge use to be verse by verse

[@ThomasCackler]

Standard goal - read the Bible every day. I know I'll fail, but I'm so far so good.

[@BiblicallyNoted]

Hi Chad!! I don't do a new bible set up every year, but I did recently start a new one. I'm actually hoping this will last a long time with tons of notes etc. My goal is to create my own study bible of sorts. As far as set up, I am gluing a page between each pages of scripture - to form my own interleaved bible. I do not have a color code system, really. Only 2 things I typically color code - purple being historical in nature (usually) or if it's red in the O.T, it's likely part of the scarlet thread. Neither of these are set in stone however. I either box, underline, or highlight on my bible page, then write my notes on the paper I've glued in. Those notes are then either boxed around, colored in, or whatever with the color I used on the scripture. I use a lot of tip-ins with washi, with additional notes. In the front and back of my bible i have glued in a plastic envelope to hold any stray papers I pick up that may find its way into my Bible. I've been doing Prof Horner's Bible reading plan. But this year, I think I will take 5-8 chapters to read every day for a month - each month. So this month I'm reading Rom 1-8 every day .. In Feb I'll do Rom 9-16. Not sure where I'll go after that (my books I'm hoping to do this with are John, Romans, Hebrews, James, 1 Peter, 1 Cor, and Col - just not sure of the order). Just to really get it down in my spirit. In addition, I'll do a slowed down version of Horner's plan. And I'll do deep studies of course. I do like the way you've broken your reading and study time up. I may try that out! Right now I'm doing a deep dive of Jonah. This doesn't include the studying for the discipleship class I lead.

[@revchadbrooks]

I would LOVE to see how that Bible would look. A glued in page between each page would be wild. Make a video and share it! You might want to do a google search on the "blank bible", it was a thing about 15 years that involved a table saw and a hardback bible....!!! I made a few and want to do another one for the channel. I love the slow plan. I did that for a few years and it was good for my soul.

[@BiblicallyNoted]

@@revchadbrooks Well, I don't have them all in. Not even close. I have Nehemiah, Hab, Jonah, All the 1&2 chapter books, John, Romans, 2 Cor-Col, 2 Tim-Jude, plus a few pages here and there. (it's weird placement I know. But it's as I study or whatever). I forsee a massive rebind. Maybe more than 1. I am intrigued by the blank bible! Off to check that out now!

[@BiblicallyNoted]

I guess I should say I did look and think about buying an interleaved bible. But the font is just so darn small - way too small for me. Plus I wanted the NASB. SO I got the super giant print. LOL This Bible already had 2300 pages. But the time I add all the paper where I want (I doubt all of the law will get it, nor some other places in the OT. And likely not Revelations. At least not right now), I'll likely have a 4000+ page Bible. I just hope it's still feasible to carry around.

[@patriciamckenna2661]

What is Roam you mentioned?

[@ma-mo]

My Bible setup largely consists of moving the Book Darts to the beginning of Genesis, Matthew, and Romans: where the Prayer Book has me starting.

[@revchadbrooks]

I can never get book darts to stay in one place after I move them around a few times.

[@MM-jf1me]

I've had great luck using teardrop-shaped paperclips for the same purpose. I wouldn't suggest them for anyone who wants to keep a Bible "pristine" but they work great as a work horse item. They're my favorite bookmarks as they point to exactly where I last left off.

[@rabignall]

hi Chad. I need to ask you a question. in the U/M church I attend. they say the Lord's prayer at least five to six times a service. then any time we are in a class they do the same thing. and of course, they won't tell me why they do it. they just say it's what we have always done. any help?

[@MM-jf1me]

That's an interesting question, Rick. I hope Chad can answer you as to me it seems a bit odd.

[@marieray1181]

I need your libery

[@Candice_Stevens]

Hello! Just curious. Why a catholic bible?

[@MM-jf1me]

He has a review of this Bible, NRSV Catholic Journaling Bible, where he lists the reasons he likes this Bible; I think it's just happenstance that it is a Catholic Bible as he is protestant.