So sweet the author sent me a signed copy!

Max Anders’ classic 30 Days to Understanding the Bible is a well-organized and informative general survey of the Protestant Bible. The author wrote it for those wanting to study scripture who have no or very little previous knowledge about the Bible. I do think the title is a bit presumptuous though. The Bible is not a subject that can be understood within a thirty-day study.

The book is divided into seven sections: Old Testament, New Testament, Ten Doctrines, NanoSummary, How to Master the Bible, Teaching Plan and Bonus Chapters. The chapters are relatively short and packed with information. There are visual charts and aids, summaries, reviews and self tests. The study of the Old and New Testaments is divided by historical eras,  instead of individual books. Attention is also given to geography and the structure of the Bible.

Different denominations will have varying views on the doctrines found within the Bible. Anders chose to explore ten: Bible, God, Christ, Holy Spirit, angels, man, sin, salvation, church, and future things. Each of these chapters also has study guides and visual aids.

The following section is three short summaries of the Bible: The Story of the Bible, The Teachings of the Bible, and The Main Message of the Bible. All of these essays are about one thousand words. These are short summaries but they do provide the basic ideas for understanding the Bible. This section is followed by a chapter with tips and exercises to guide you in honoring and praying with the Bible. The author gives tips on reading, meditating, memorizing, and studying the Bible.

The teaching plan was the most interesting section to me. As a home educating parent I am often looking for and generally disappointed by the Biblical education curriculum available. I am not disappointed with this book. If I wanted to design (and it has been on my mind) a general survey of the Bible high school course 30 Days to Understanding the Bible would be an excellent spine book. Just add a dictionary, handbook and some  Drive Thru History videos and you’d have an excellent curriculum. I just happen to have all of those resources sitting on my bookshelves.

Even though the title made my eyes roll, I really do believe every Christian who is interested in understanding the Bible should own and study a copy of 30 Days to Understanding the Bible.”

If you are interested I am hosting a giveaway of the book. You can enter in the comments below or on my Instagram page. Good luck!

Published by Thomas Nelson

“Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255:  “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”):  Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway.  Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation.  I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post. Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway.  If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller /FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days on the same blog, you are not eligible to win.  Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again.  Winner is subject to eligibility verification.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”