.png)
ABOUT
The READTHEBIBLE PROJECT provides events, content, and community that encourages believers and unbelievers to read and study the Bible for themselves, with others, and always with the Holy Spirit to get to know and love God.
OUR BELIEFS
We believe God breathes out all scripture and is profitable for teaching, reproof, correction, and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete and equipped for every good work. (2Timonthy 3:16-17) And we've become a community of believers who believe in the importance of reading God's Word and studying it to present ourselves to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15) We trust God with our hearts and lean not on our understanding but acknowledge Him in all our ways. (Proverbs 3:5-6) And we seek the Holy Spirit to reveal the truth. (1 Corinthians 2:12)
One day Iris Kirkland received mail from Tony Evans's ministries that said many people quote a particular saying often as scripture, but it is not in the Bible. She does not remember the phrase, but she can't forget the feeling of embarrassment that she was one of those people.
She loved the Lord and just renewed her relationship with Him. And at that moment realized that all the years she grew up in church, she had never actually read the entire Bible, or at the least committed to knowing what was in it.
At that point, Iris was on a mission to read the Bible. Trying to do it herself, using apps and plans, was always frustrating. Finally, in 2021 she invited a friend, Nicole Harris to join her in reading the Bible in a year in chronological order. God led her to post what she was doing on her platform, and that's when she realized she was not alone; many people wanted to read God's word, and RTB was born.
HOW DID IT START?
We want to normalize reading the Bible as a part of the culture. So we create events such as RTB Book Club, RTB30/30, and RTB in-a-year to encourage people to read the Bible for themselves as they seek an intimate relationship with God. In addition, we provide a safe space for those who want to take reading the Bible to the next level by participating in community and intellectual Holy Spirit-led conversations via our weekly meet-ups and group chats.
WHAT WE DO
WHY JOIN
If you keep promising yourself that you will make time to read the Bible and have not done so yet.
If you need a safe, judgment-free space to discuss your honest thoughts on the Bible.
If you find reading the Bible challenging to do alone.
If you want to grow in your relationship with God and gain valuable relationships with like-minded believers.
I haven't regretted it for one moment. What started as a duty because of my friend became a must anticipated weekly joy. A fellowship of sisters, seeking GOD'S Kingdom. Learning who our Father is for ourselves - firsthand. And because He Is So Amazing, He is graciously leading each of us in the journey of discovering who we are in the process. What A Good, Good Father.
—Ava Griffith
Haverstraw NY
RTB gave me clarity and helped me connect the Bible to my everyday life. It also reaffirmed if you know better, you must do better. And now I don't really have an excuse because I know better, and when I forget, I know where to get clarity.
—Daphne Charles-Brown
Deer Park, NY
"What lies behind us and what lies before us are small matters compared to what lies within us," Ralph Waldo Emerson. This quote reminds me of the truth found in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The journey with my RTB family led me to this truth in a whole new light. Now I am empowered to speak the peace of God in my hood and believe God for the impossible. I've adopted these abilities by simply reading the Bible for a year with my sisters.
—Nicole Harris
Brooklyn, NY
The RTB project has done a lot for me this year is the first time I have read and listened to the whole Bible. That means a lot because I am a person that does not like to read at all. The group of women who would meet every Thursday night to understand God's word gave me new and old friends to communicate with, and I always look forward to meeting online. If we had to start all over again, I would.
—Irene Hoskins
Brooklyn NY
RTB has been a tremendous blessing on so many levels. The friendships and bonds that have been created and the accountability was incredible. We didn't always agree, but it was so good to have conversations about everything and anything and not feel judged because our thought process was not like someone else's. Our discussions allowed us to get clarity and to build a sisterhood. I look forward to RTB for the inspiration and wisdom shared.
—Candice Purdie
Brooklyn, NY
RTB,…., got invited midway. I was already reading the Bible. Just the invitation alone was the energy to keep going. I finished before the year but went back to books God needed me to understand. The character of God shows up in each one of these ladies. The will of God be done in each of our lives for his glory, for his people. Thank you, Iris, for your obedience. God bless you.
—Marcia LaRoc
MD