Customer Reviews

The MacArthur Daily Bible: Read the Bible in One Year, with Notes from John MacArthur

5 star:		(25)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This bible makes it easy to sit down and keep a reading schedule that will take you through the entire bible in one year. About 3 pages per day, a section of the Old Testament, a Psalm, a Proverb and a section of the New Testament plus a paragraph or so worth of notes on what you've read.

Also, though it is organized so that the OT, Psalms, Proverbs and NT are together for each day, they are in the proper order with chapter/verse numbers so one could easily use this as their primary Bible.

I would definitely recommend this if you've found it difficult to sit down and just read through the Bible on your own. It would also be good to use for family devotionals each day.

The rating and this review relate specifically to the Kindle version of the MacArthur Daily Bible. Let me start by saying that the MacArthur Daily Bible is a great resource and I have very much enjoyed reading the print version. However, the Kindle version is very different from the print version, and is a huge disappointment.

Firstly, the Kindle version is very poorly organized. The Bible does not flow in the daily reading format of the print version. Essentially to read each passage section within each day you need to navigate back and forth between the passages and the Table of Contents. To explain, you cannot select next page on your Kindle after completing the first reading section of the day and expect to be taken to the next passage section for the day. Instead you are taken to the reading for the following day of that section (e.g. OT passage). In order to navigate to the next passage section for the day (e.g. Proverbs), navigate back to the TOC, select the next section and you will be taken there. A very painfully slow and frustrating way of navigating.

Secondly, the summary that appears at the end of each daily reading in the print version is completely missing from the Kindle version. This is one of the parts of the print version that I enjoy and is a huge disappointment that it is missing from the Kindle version.

I have long looked forward to the day that the Kindle version of the MacArthur Daily Bible would be available, but am very disappointed in what has been delivered. Unless you are willing to accept missing content and a very painfully implemented navigation system, I would recommend you avoid the Kindle version and stick with the outstanding print version.

For carrying around, a small reference Bible might do; for digging deep, a study Bible or other specialty Bible, such as a parallel Bible or harmony of the gospels; but for getting The Book read systematically, cover to cover rather than hit and miss, The MacArthur Daily Bible is a good choice--though it is only available in NKJV, in case that's a problem for you. For balance, this Bible has a bit each day from (1) the Old Testament, (2) the Pslams and Proverbs, and (3) the New Testament. There are not many notes to cause digression, but just enough for meditating on without losing focus. Another nice touch is MacArthur's list of 52 well-selected verses for memorization (1 per week). For me a downside is that unlike other Bible book divisions for daily readings, when the individual Psalms are split up, it just ruins the flow and intimacy of the reading. I tried to get used to the Psalms splitting, but couldn't, so rather than abandoning this otherwise helpful Bible, I just get my daily Psalms and Proverbs fix independently, reading one at a time in entirety, skipping a day here and there, still making attainable the goal of reading thru in a year (though MacArthur offers a 2-year option).

If you've committed to reach through the Bible once a year, as I have, you'll probably benefit from MacArthur's approach here. He's arranged the New King James Version into 365 daily readings. Each day features a selection from the Old Testament, Psalms, Proverbs and the New Testament. There's also an expository note based on that day's reading - that's the most distinctive feature of this resource. MacArthur is the gold standard for expositors as far as I'm concerned, so it's good news. I've used other reading programs that I like better, but this works just fine.

For Christians desiring help with systematic Bible reading, and for anyone desiring to study what Christianity is really saying.
Comments from John MacArthur are brief, but enough to be very informative and helpful.

Like Charles Haddon Spurgeon, whom he so admires (and is so like), John MacArthur shows that expository preaching is as relevant today as it ever was, especially as the Bible is always relevant to all we should do and think as Christians. So it is great that this book is here for those people who cannot have the pleasure of hearing John unfold the Bible in person in his church in California. It is always better to read his books in full, but as an introduction to MacArthur's works, you cannot do better than this. Christopher Catherwood, author of CHRISTIANS, MUSLIMS AND ISLAMIC RAGE (Zondervan, 2003)

reading with notes by John MacArthur. I am 75 years old and have never been able to read the Bible through in its entirety though I've studied it and taught it over the years and often referred to favorite books and passages. I'm now into my ninth month and can't recommend it enough to everyone who has never been able to complete reading it in one year. I wish I had known about it years ago. It is a wonderful and exciting adventure so that one gains a grasp of God's plan for the world from Genesis to Revelation. Dr. MacArthur's notes are very helpful, turning difficult passages into teachable moments. I highly recommend this book.

For a short time I thought of rating it 4 stars for the following reason but couldn't because of the life changing content. The paper back book is extremely difficult for me to hold. It's heavy for my arthritic hands and frequently causes pain. I grab it on both sides, curl it back so I can better manage to hold it, write, underline and make notes. It became a study Bible. The condition of the book is awful. The cover is worn to the point that parts of it are missing and the pages in the front and back are folded over and wrinkled. It's not a pretty sight but I wouldn't trade it for anything because of the sacred times I spent reading it and getting to know God.

I would like to suggest that it be put on KINDLE. I'd love to read it again and again in this manner and feel sure many busy, working folks would welcome these moments on their lunch hour or waiting for their children.

Wonderful study aid. I only wish I had bought it years ago.

MacArthur does an awesome job of explaining key facts. Definitely a book that anyone in thier pursuit of a closer reltaionship with God can use and appreciate. Certainly a blessing.

I have read through the bible 4 times in the last 4 years. One new bible each year. I purchased The Macarthur Daily Bible because it has the days listed and you get a little of the old testament, new testament, psalms, and proverbs everyday. i was lucky to find (evidently) a limited edition, medium brown softcover version of this paperback i am writing a review for. The look and feel of this cover is like no other and i immediately fell in love with it becuase it just feels good in my hands, unlike some of the paperbacks that dont stay open, and the hard leather version that do not lay flat.

Having said how much i loved the outside of this bible. After the first few days of reading it, i found that this bible was only good for one thing, to read a little bit every day. You cannot find anything very quickly as in a regular bible, since it is broken up so much. You cannot use it in any other bible study setting except for what it was made for. I like to read one book of the bible at a time and let the story flow. however when you pick up the bible the next day you kinda forget where you left off with the story.

If you have never read the bible before and want a regiment to keep you on a path to complete in 1 year, this bible is great. If you want to buy a bible that you can read, study, look up verses, and search for answers, look elsewhere (get the macarthur study bible.)

Everyone has opinions, i respect yours please respect mine. I have found that if you have a favorite bible, you can make it into a daily bible very easy:

1.) divide the total number of pages in your bible by 365. that is how many pages you have to read each day to completet the bible in a year.

2.) monthly have a check system to know that you are on schedule.
Example: total pages 2000/365=5.47 pages a day. 5.47*30(days in a month)=164 pages for each month. 164*12=1972 total pages read. you are 28 pages short for the year, some months have 31 days so it should balance out for the year.

3.) make it fun. read a book from the Old testament ex.(genesis), then psalms 1-25, then matthew. so you have a book from the ot, a psalm or proverb, then a book from the nt. repeat cycle until you have finished the bible in a year. many times we start with genesis and quite by the time we get to numbers. break it up.

4.) keep track of the books you have read on post it. 1 for the ot books, 1 for thep psalms/proverbs, one for the nt books. by the way the post its are the best book marks there are. just be careful with the bibles thin pages when removing them.

there you have it, you just made your own daily bible. you have a bible you can read in a year, you can easily find verses, and take it with you to bible study class.

hope this helps........Matthew 6:33