By Andrew Gordon
My current Bible reading plan is going to be complete this week. No, that doesn’t mean I read through the Bible in six months. It means I failed to read through the whole Bible in 2019 and needed half of 2020 to finish! I imagine many of you are like me and struggle to keep after a disciplined plan.
I’ve noticed the following things about myself over the years. See if you can relate:
- Reading straight through can be tough, especially if you are new to the Bible struggle to understand the Old Testament.
- A lot of us fell off the path in February or March.
- It’s easy to treat a plan as all-or-nothing.
- We do a lot better with encouragement and accountability.
- January is a long way off to wait to start a new reading plan.
Since we all need help, let’s help each other!
The Plan
My favorite reading plan is call the Discipleship Journal Bible Reading Plan. It has you read from four sections of scripture each day from each of the following four categories:
- OT History & Prophets
- Poetry & Isaiah
- Gospels
- Acts & Letters.
You’ll get a taste of how the whole Bible fits together and experience a variety of scripture each day. Each month only has 25 reading days, meaning we get catch-up days every month.
Encouragement
Most of us struggle going from 0 to 60 with a reading plan. In fact, ramping up to reading the Bible even 15-20 minutes a day from zero minutes can prove to be unsustainable. Gradual increase over time will help you develop discipline. Here are some ways to do just that:
- Read through the Bible in two years by reading through two columns per month rather than all four. You can always pick up more and more as you go along.
- Get a head start by not waiting until July 1, but take it slow.
- 5 minutes is better than zero minutes. Start there.
God never told us to read his word through once every year. But he did say to meditate on it day and night (Psalm 1:2) and to hide it in our hearts (Psalm. 119:11).
Let’s Do This
On July 1, I plan to start this reading plan on “day one.” I’m inviting you to come with me. We are better together. I will set up a private Facebook group for us to discuss what we are learning and encourage each other to stay on track. If you want to be a part of the group you can email me to let me know (pastorandrew@winfieldbaptistchurch.com). You can follow along with the reading plan in several ways. On the Bible app, search for Discipleship Journal Reading Plan. Or click here for a PDF version. Start with January to make sure you start at the beginning!
There’s more to Bible study than simply reading through it. But by reading through it, we can get the big picture of what God is doing. Come check out the view with me.
Blessings,
Pastor Andrew
Don’t Wait Until January: Let’s Read the Bible Together!
June 23, 2020 by Andrew • Bible Study, Discipleship • 0 Comments
By Andrew Gordon
My current Bible reading plan is going to be complete this week. No, that doesn’t mean I read through the Bible in six months. It means I failed to read through the whole Bible in 2019 and needed half of 2020 to finish! I imagine many of you are like me and struggle to keep after a disciplined plan.
I’ve noticed the following things about myself over the years. See if you can relate:
Since we all need help, let’s help each other!
The Plan
My favorite reading plan is call the Discipleship Journal Bible Reading Plan. It has you read from four sections of scripture each day from each of the following four categories:
You’ll get a taste of how the whole Bible fits together and experience a variety of scripture each day. Each month only has 25 reading days, meaning we get catch-up days every month.
Encouragement
Most of us struggle going from 0 to 60 with a reading plan. In fact, ramping up to reading the Bible even 15-20 minutes a day from zero minutes can prove to be unsustainable. Gradual increase over time will help you develop discipline. Here are some ways to do just that:
God never told us to read his word through once every year. But he did say to meditate on it day and night (Psalm 1:2) and to hide it in our hearts (Psalm. 119:11).
Let’s Do This
On July 1, I plan to start this reading plan on “day one.” I’m inviting you to come with me. We are better together. I will set up a private Facebook group for us to discuss what we are learning and encourage each other to stay on track. If you want to be a part of the group you can email me to let me know (pastorandrew@winfieldbaptistchurch.com). You can follow along with the reading plan in several ways. On the Bible app, search for Discipleship Journal Reading Plan. Or click here for a PDF version. Start with January to make sure you start at the beginning!
There’s more to Bible study than simply reading through it. But by reading through it, we can get the big picture of what God is doing. Come check out the view with me.
Blessings,
Pastor Andrew