What are some things you might do every day or nearly every day in the coming year? Eat? Brush your teeth? Exercise? Listen to music? Watch TV (youtube, netflix)? Read (books, blogs, email, facebook, twitter)?
This past Sunday I preached on 2 Timothy 3:14-17, “Why Read the Bible?”, encouraging all Proclamation members to develop (or continue) the habit of daily reading the Bible in 2016 using the same Bible reading plan: the discipleship journal through the Bible in a year plan.
The Bible is worth reading. It is worthy of your time.
In 2 Timothy 3 we learn that we can benefit from reading the Bible in at least three ways:
1. The Bible is God’s appointed means of saving us and making us more like Jesus.
…and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. -2 Timothy 3:15
2. The Bible is God’s appointed means of speaking to his people.
All Scripture is breathed out by God…-2 Timothy 3:16
3. The Bible is God’s appointed means of equipping us for every good work.
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. -2 Timothy 3:16-17
I would encourage all of you to join us in using the same plan to read the Bible in 2016.
WHY USE THIS PLAN?
1. Community
It will enable us all to read from the same passages in the Bible at the same time and we can learn together and ask our questions together and share with one another what we are learning. We can also incorporate passages into our gathered worship services on Sundays.
2. Variety
This plan has you reading from the Old Testament, the New Testament, and the Gospels every day throughout the year.
3. Flexibility
This plan is easy to customize. You can use anywhere from 1 to 4 of the bookmarks and take from 1 to 4 years to read through the Bible. This allows everyone, even the smallest child, to participate.
If you can read, you can begin this plan (the Gospels bookmark is the shortest). You can also read to your children, perhaps using a bookmark as part of your family worship.
4. Buffer Days
Each month has only 25 readings, so you can miss days and not fall behind.
5. Don’t use this plan if you already have a plan that you are using and that has worked well for you.
HOW TO USE THIS PLAN
1. Make a plan: having a time and place to read each day will help.
2. Dig: Read the passages for each day
3. Digest: Think and pray about what you are reading
It may help to journal or write down a verse or thought each day.Write down any questions you have of the text (anything you don’t understand). Ask/answer these questions:
What does it teach about God (Father, Son, Spirit)?
What does it each about me/people?
How should I respond (repent, believe, praise, thanks, worship, etc)?
Who can I tell?
4. Declare: (begin talking with others about what you are learning)
5. Delight:
More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold;
sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. -Psalm 19:10
WHY READ THE BIBLE?
Our aim is not to be successful in a new year’s resolution or simply complete a plan or check of a box. It is not to simply finish.
Our aim is to feed our faith as we seek God in his word. It is to be made more like Jesus and hear God speak and be equipped for every good work. I hope you will join us!