So you want to read the Bible more in 2012? Great!
Perhaps like me, this isn’t a new desire. You’ve started the year with grand aspirations to read the Bible that have slowly (or quickly) fizzled out. Take heart from Noel Piper, who explains how she saw through a year of reading her Bible – all 66 books!
Here are some resources to make 2012 a year of reading the Bible and growing in your love of God. There’s something for everyone – reading plans (beginner to advanced!), devotional resources for individuals and families, questions to ask as you read, as well as tips for memorising and journaling.
I thought this tip was helpful:
“If you fall behind in your reading don’t force yourself to catch up. Bible reading plans can become a source of pride and legalism.”
Bible Reading Plans
First of all, check out ‘why read with a plan?‘
Justin Taylor has compiled a comprehensive list of reading plans, plus some helpful links to get you started.
Ligonier has put together another comprehensive list.
NewSpring Church have a collection of 21-day, 100-day, 6-month and one-year plans.
BibleGateway will send you readings from the New Testament, or the Old and New Testament each day.
YouVersion has a huge collection of reading plans, and you can choose to receive this in a variety of formats. They’ll even send you a daily reminder!
Scripture Union has the E100 Bible Reading Challenge.
There’s the Bible Eater Plan.
If you’d prefer to print out a plan, try this two-year Bible reading plan (PDF) or Don Whitney’s Bible reading record (PDF).
If you’re feeling brave, you might like to sign-up to the 3650 Challenge to read 10 chapters of the Bible each day. It’s based on Professor Horner’s Reading Plan, and while it sounds ambitious, it’s not impossible! As the author of the plan explain:
“DO NOT be intimidated! I was a college dropout, ex-heavy-druggie when I started it. If I can do it — so can you!”.
You could also start reading the Bible with someone else in some ‘one-to-one Bible reading‘.
I’m reading – now what?
Take a look at:
- 3 questions to ask when reading the Bible
- 14 questions to ask your Bible
- Questioning your Bible reading
- How to meditate on God’s word
Daily Devotionals
If you’d like some ‘For the love of God‘ by Don Carson is a book with four daily readings, plus thought-provoking reflections and comments. You can also read these devotionals online.
Tabletalk is a magazine produced by Ligonier Ministries, and has a daily Bible study. They also provide an extensive collection of online devotionals “to encourage your heart and mind in the pursuit of God and his glory”.
At Grace to You, John Macarthur has 4 different collections of daily devotionals, with Bible readings, prayer suggestions, and questions for reflection.
BibleGateway has 22 daily devotionals that you can have delivered to your inbox each day/week.
Anglican YouthWorks has produced the REAP Journal for kids, adults and youth with daily readings, and space to reflect and pray.
Tim Keller has a series of talks on the topic ‘The devotional life‘.
Family Devotions
If you’d like to start reading the Bible with your children, John Piper has responded to the question ‘How did you do family devotions when your kids were real little?’ and ‘How do you do family devotions?‘.
The readings in the REAP Journal (mentioned above) align across the three age groups, so family members can do the readings in their own time, and then discuss and pray together.
Memorising Scripture
The Fighter Verses app (iPhone and Android) by Desiring God is a great tool to help you to memorise Scripture. You can learn more about the Fighter Verses on their website.
Journaling
If you’d like to keep a record of what you’re reading and learning, you might like to consider examen.me and YouVersion – both allow you to keep a journal of your Bible reading. There’s also an ESV Journaling Bible.
Church Challenges
Park Community Church has a 3-tier mailing list where members can sign-up for Scripture, reflection and application questions, and memory verses.
