Richele asked over the weekend how my Bible read-through is going.
She was referring to my decision to join her in reading the Bible through in a year. Jillian also chose to read along.
It is going well so far, Richele, so far. It is only the beginning of February though...lots can happen before December.
To be honest, I was a bit reluctant to talk much online about my decision to do this because I've tried and failed before. It is all to easy to say 'Yes' to the suggestion, and all too easy to give up as soon as I fell behind. And I was going to fall behind, I felt sure of that. I took my concern to God in prayer, and the answer came the following Sunday at church.
It turns out that our Session had decided to encourage the congregation to do the very same thing. They had settled on the Discipleship Journal Bible Reading Plan. This plan reads through four separate places in Scripture each day, allowing readers to better grasp the unity of the Scriptures, as well as enjoying the variety of four different view points. The four divisions are the Wisdom books, the Gospel, Old Testament and New Testament.
The wonderful thing about the plan for me though, is that it only gives 25 readings per month. The 'free days' are there to prevent the frustration of falling behind. Hurrah! If you finish by the 25th they recommend using the final days of the month to study the passages that have challenged or intrigued you. I've chosen to use my free days to catch up and then get a little ahead. Believe me, I'll need the buffer.
So as I say, so far it is going well. I was delighted when I discovered that my beloved had joined me. He's using the plan from Homeschool World. Richele's using the One Year Bible. Jillian's using the Chronological Bible. (Hubby and I used a chronological plan a few years ago, Jillian. It was most interesting to read the Bible in historical order.) There are lots of plans out there - you're sure to find one to suit.
You don't need to start on January 1st either. Simply start today and read till you finish. If the Bible in a year seems too large a task then alter a plan to meet your requirements. Read half one year and half the next. My plan suggests the Gospel and Wisdom books one year and the other two categories the next year. Whatever. Just do it.
Do let me know if you decide to do so though. I need all the encouragement I can get.
Good Morning Jeanne! I am doing the one year bible also after reading Richele's blog and I am loving it! It's so refreshing! xxx
ReplyDeleteMay God bless your reading this year, Jeanne.
ReplyDeleteI have also found the one year plans a little bit of stretch in past years. (Done a one year plan with OT, NT, Ps and Prov. each day) and the chronological. Yes, found that great. I'm still not great at the OT history.
Eventually after a couple of stalled One year attempts I broke it into two which I found more manageable.
This year I am actually reading on line and listening to the lovely tones of Alexander Scourby. My eye problems have got to the stage where I could only read a very small portion at a time, so this is making my daily reading much better.
I think I started using something like the Discipleship plan years ago. I'm probably only a third of the way through. Maybe you've encouraged me to pick it up again. thanks!
ReplyDeleteJeanne, I have never read through on a schedule before. Along with the thought of how good it would be to know we are all in the Word was the added desire of accountability. I would definitely hate anyone to fall under condescension for lagging behind or not carrying through.
ReplyDeleteThough I prefer turning pages, I do have the Bible loaded on my Palm so I can read ahead if an opportunity arises. The kids usually come downstairs before I've finished so I'm reading aloud a lot - which I didn't expect!
It is encouraging in many ways to know there are others along on the journey!
Eph. 4:15-16
I love it Jeanne! I am using the Horner plan which sounds similar to yours where you are reading several different sections to see the unity of the Bible. I have fallen a tad behind but there are buffers. I figure any time with God is better than no time with God, right?
ReplyDeleteI've tried a few ways to read my bible in a year. I really like the chronological bible and have read that for a few years. I'd like to do that again but waiting for it to come back from a loan. Last year I just made up my own reading - a minimum of 5 chapters a day choosing from either OT or NT but spending more time in the NT which got read several times over the year. This year I'm doing the reverse - at present only 4 chapters a day but 3 from the OT. When I read from small chapters eg. in the Psalms I might read several more or if its very long eg Psalm 119 I might split it. The discipline to read it - is not too hard but applying it so much more difficult! One thing I do is read my bible before I read anything else and that way it isn't forgotten.
ReplyDeleteI am so bad at reading first thing in the morning. Real life seems always to intervene. For me last thing at night works best.
ReplyDeleteFree days would sure be a help! I do very well with the "1 Year NEW Testament--it's the OLD that stops me dead. I also have a Chronological Bible and it IS very interesting to read it that way.
ReplyDeleteHi Jeanne,
ReplyDeleteThe way I do it (I'm reading the One Year Bible) is to set the timer, rather than give myself a certain amount to read. Since I have to lie down with an ice pack on my back a few times a day, I do my reading then. I'm a captive audience to what the Lord has to say to me that day! :) I'm not trying to finish the Bible in a year; my purpose is simply to be in His Word daily. I like knowing that we are all on this "Pilgrim's Progress" together!
Well done Jeanne. I've been reading my 'Bible in a year' for the past few years now and love it. Admittedly there have been times when I've fallen behind but I 'get back on the horse' so to speak and continue.
ReplyDeleteGod is good!
I too have tried and failed with the Bible read-through. I have read the entire New Testament, but never the old. I like the idea of reading chronologically...I think that would help me be a bit more successful! Loved the post!
ReplyDeleteHi Jeanne,
ReplyDeleteMy daughter has joined me in reading the Bible chronologically, so we read it in bed before she goes to sleep. :)
I'm glad to know that you, too, are reading the Bible through in a year, and I would like to encourage you in any way that I can. :D
Have a great week,
Blessings,
Jillian
I'm reading. :)
ReplyDeleteAmy in Peru
http://apilgrimsproject.blogspot.com