Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Read Through the Bible in a Year

Every year, I strongly encourage my church family to read through the Bible in a year. It is not that I particularly care if they or I read through the Bible in a set amount of time. I am much more interested that we 1) read the Bible daily and 2) read the Bible thoroughly.

The Christian needs to hear God through is word daily as much as we need to eat daily. You may skip a few days, but before too long you are weak and sickly. A daily diet of regular intake of Scripture is a key to Spiritual health.

It is also important to read the whole Bible-- not just parts we like or don't like. Leviticus is just as inspired as John. Ezekiel is as import as Romans. All Scripture-- every book, every page, every line-- is inspired by God and is useful for our Spiritual development and growth. By having a plan to read through the Bible in a year (or half year or ninety days or two years or whatever), you work your way through parts you normally would not choose to spend time in. I think you will be surprised how rich and rewarding the neglected parts of Scripture can be.

The plan I am recommended to the LMBC family is the M'Cheyne Daily Reading Calendar (it is available in the ESV online here or you can order a hard copy of the calendar here). It has four passages (usually four chapters) divided into personal readings and family readings. I like the plan because it encourages family worship time in addition to private devotions (although you can read the whole day's reading alone if need be). This plan will take you through the Old Testament once, Psalms twice, and the New Testament twice. The reading can be completed in about twenty minutes a day.

I'll send a free copy of the calendar to anyone who asks for one in the comments section, or if you come by the church, you can pick one up.

If you have never read through the Bible cover to cover, you ought to. If you don't read the Bible daily, yous should make the commitment and do it. You will not regret it.

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