Sixteen years ago, while in college, my church and Baptist Student Union challenged, encouraged, and held me accountable for something like no one had before: To read the Bible. I had been a Christian for 15 years leading up to that point. Along the way, I had bits and pieces of scripture embedded into memory. I would follow, in spurts, various reading plans that had a few verses here and a few there. But I had never actually devoted myself to read the whole of scripture, or even large chunks of it.
And the spiritual illiteracy showed.
But in the fall of 2000, that began to change. In that time, I have used various plans, some from different ministry resources and some homemade, to read through the Bible. In 2015-16, sensing a need to encourage my church members to read their Bibles, I developed a two-year plan that, if followed, would take them through the Old Testament once and the New Testament twice while reading on average 3 chapters a day, 5 days a week.
This week, we finish that plan. For me, this will have been my 8th time in the last 16 years of reading through the Bible.
In addition to this, there are several books of the Bible that I know quite well by spending extra time studying them for the purpose of preaching or teaching (Hebrews, 1 Peter, John, and 2 Timothy top this list). But for 2017, I’m aiming to do something different.
For those in my church who want to do a one-year Bible reading plan, I’m encouraging the use of The Read Scripture Plan by the minds behind The Bible Project. This plan looks at Scripture both thematically and chronological, dividing the Bible into 15 thematic “chapters.” Those who use it will read and pray through a psalm a day (for about 2.5 trips through the Psalms), and will read two or three other chapters each day (though they have “skimming” days through larger chunks like genealogies and tabernacle minutia). In addition to this, they have available their well-done videos available online for free, introducing each book as well as several other themes in Scripture.
Personally, though, I have decided to use 2017 to become more intimately acquainted with four books of the Bible, separate from my sermon prep. I plan on spending three months on each book, reading and rereading, as well as reading through a major commentary for each—two books from the New Testament and two from the Old. For January-March, I plan on focusing on Romans, then Leviticus for April-June, and Mark for July-September. I’m still pondering what to do for the second Old Testament book to the end the year (suggestions welcomed, wanting to go someplace other than the Pentateuch).
So, how about you? If you’ve never read all the way through the Bible, I encourage you to do just that in 2017. Otherwise, what is your plan for Bible reading in the upcoming year?
I just bought the new 5 volume ESV Reader’s Bible and am planning to read through the Bible this year using that.
I led the church I was pastoring through a Bible reading plan in 2015 and wrote daily devotionals to go with the reading each weekday and sent them out through email. Once I read the Bible in 90 days. That was pretty intense. I try to read through the whole Bible every other year.
I’m continuing what I started a few months ago. I’m focusing on one book per month. For the first half of the month, I read it as many times as I can (which right now is once per day since I started with the shortest books). For the second half of the month), I dig into commentaries and journal what I learn. I’m really enjoying it, as it allows me to really dig deep and meditate on the Scripture.
Olive Tree’s Bible Study app has a Reading Plan feature, with several ‘read through the Bible in a year’ style plans available. I usually use the “M’Cheyne’s” plan, doing a different translation each time through (I went through once using the Chronological plan). I don’t necessarily get through it in exactly a year, but don’t bash myself over the head for that.
My current reading should finish up the HCSB sometime in March. I haven’t decided yet which translation to tackle after that.
I’ve started doing the different translations after hearing Frank Page talk about it in a class.
So far: NASB (my favorite reading translation), ESV (preaching translation), NLT, and for the second NT read through on my church plan, I used The Kingdom New Testament translated by NT Wright.
For my one book every three months journey for 2017, I’m planning on doing the several read troughs in various translations, too.
Just rechecked, and looks like this reading I’m actually using the Life Journal reading plan(taken from lifejournal.cc), rather than M’Cheyne’s. That has a NT and an OT reading each day, plus an occasional extra Psalm reading, whereas M’Cheyne’s has two OT and two NT reading each day. I know I started out using M’Cheyne’s. I must’ve decided on something different this last time.
The Olive Tree software does provide a bunch of reading plans, some full Bible reading, some shorter and more topical. Some are provided by Olive Tree, some are from other sources. I was a little surprised that they didn’t appear to have a plan corresponding to The Bible Project’s plan. Might be something to suggest to them.
I’ve lost track of all the translations I’ve gone through this way. The last couple before the current reading were the NET and the ESV.
I have arranged one and will try to guide others through it for the year. My wife, oldest son, a cousin and a few other friends have agreed to give it a try. It will be a daily reading from the OT books of poetry/wisdom and a chapter from the New Testament.
http://cleanslateincalifornia.blogspot.com/2016/12/plan-should-take-5-10-minutes-of-reading.html
My plan and hope is to stay a week ahead and add notes as we go but also to hear what the others are being taught. I followed on by Dr Chuck Lawless and thought I should try to lead one with my family and myself. I am going to use the HCSB this year.
Best advice on reading plans in general that I have read lately is from Joe McKeever and it is, “Keep reading.”
The past two years I have used the ReadingPlan app and gone with a thematic plan. I’ve been able to be a lot more consistent this way. This year I’m probably going to start a two-year plan (also available on the app). I’d like to slow it down just a little so I’ll have more time to reflect on the day’s passages.
Spent this last year reading the entire NT devotionally. In 2017, I am spending the year in the Psalms guided by Tim Keller’s Songs of Jesus devotional. Looking forward to it. Have never spent a long season in the Psalms before.
My wife and I have been reading Keller’s devotions before bed each (okay, most each) night. For the most part it’s been good.
Does it feel odd to say “my wife and I?”
Nope. Actually feels really nice. 🙂
For the other OT: Ecclesiastes.