Not sure if this is cheating or not...

I have found a new way to study the Bible... read it at a third grade reading level! Now I know I can read at a higher level than that, but Jacob's new Bible is my new best friend!

I got him this Bible a month or so ago.

It is the New International Readers Version, so it's a translation as opposed to a story Bible. We have been reading it together, and I really enjoy how it is written. It includes some background knowledge in the verses as part of the explanation, and is generally much more understandable to just read.

So one night I decided to give it the ultimate test: I opened it to Leviticus.

On a side note... I am a lover of the Old Testament. I actually have read it a lot more than the New Testament. But Leviticus has yet to grab my attention no matter how many times I've read it. I usually start reading it and my eyes glaze over in short order.

Lo and behold, I read 11 chapters! And - GASP! - I actually retained something, learned many new things, and... enjoyed it! I actually read myself to sleep because I was so interested I couldn't put it down and turn off the light.

I don't believe it will replace my New American Standard favorite, but I love reading them side by side. It is much more helpful than my study notes for those Old Testament books, especially the prophets. It's been so enjoyable to delve in this way and love those books that are a bit challenging to comprehend because of the information that is written. I never would have thought of buying myself a children's Bible. Now if I can just find one without a safari kid on the front...