{one of my favorite still life photos I have ever taken}
Last year, when I completed my reading of the Bible in a year...a lot of you were inspired to give it a try. A few of you have recently commented or e-mailed me that you did not make it through last year. That is okay. I get it. I did not read much myself last year. It is HARD to read the whole Bible in a year. I recently read that the hardest thing to do is crack open your Bible. So maybe we should leave them open on the kitchen counter or the bedside table? Anyway, while I know I need a plan (I had no plan last year), I also know that I am not ready to tackle the Old Testament again this year. Numbers about did me in.
So, I found some Bible reading plans that are much more do-able. I am doing a combination of Project 3:45 and Heartlight's plan which is The NT, Psalms and Proverbs. In Project 3:45 you read the entire New Testament in a year. Its name (Project 3:45) comes from the fact that most of the readings take about 3 minutes and 45 seconds to complete. This time varies a little but basically you read one New Testament chapter a day for five days a week. I like that. I think I can better contemplate the readings this way.
I also found the Bible Reading plan for shirkers and slackers. This is a great program for people who want to get through the whole Bible but who get stressed out if they fall behind. I printed that one out for Will and Harry to try. It gives you a suggested reading for various days of the week but there are not dates to feel pressured. You can download a PDF here.
I just wanted to pop in and encourage those of you considering a Bible reading plan to look out there for the one for you. I don't think there is a contest to see how much volume one can consume. Slow and steady wins the race. I think that just letting God's words wash over our hearts on a consistent basis is good. Even if it is only a few words a day. But pick a plan and print it out. Keep it on your bedside table or your kitchen counter. I promise it will change you in a really good way. And let me know how it does:)
I simply LOVE your heart - that you are encouraging others to read the Bible. Some great ideas here. If anyone has a smartphone then I would also recommend the YouVersion app - it has some great reading plans! I have been using the "acts and epistles" plan. And if you fall behind it has a great "catch up" feature. I love having it on my phone - it means I always have my Bible with me. Thanks for such an encouraging post Kim
ReplyDeleteI simply LOVE your heart - that you are encouraging others to read the Bible. Some great ideas here. If anyone has a smartphone then I would also recommend the YouVersion app - it has some great reading plans! I have been using the "acts and epistles" plan. And if you fall behind it has a great "catch up" feature. I love having it on my phone - it means I always have my Bible with me. Thanks for such an encouraging post Kim
ReplyDeleteI was just thinking about you this morning and how your post last year encouraged me to jump in. I will finish TONIGHT, just a few days late. I am so thankful you inspired me to do this, this past year was a year I really needed to be in the bible. I really don't want to get out of the habit, night time worked for me as well, so I think I will give Project 3:35 a try:) I too just cannot do Numbers or Ezekiel so soon. Those were tough to get through. I finally came away from those books realizing that God pays attention to details, good thing for us he does:)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the encouragement!!!
Thanks for sharing the information!
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful week!
One idea is to read according to your church's lectionary--daily and weekly--and supplement with the appropriate prayers.
ReplyDeletethanks for this...I started the "year" plan in February, and I'd say I am about half way through. I have take a Loooonnnnggg break recently, but I am anxious to get back to reading.
ReplyDeleteWe just began reading one chapter a day in Proverbs for the month of January with our church; next month will be another chapter! You are right; it's now a matter of how much we read verses allowing ourselves to absorb what God's word says and be able to apply it to our daily lives:)
ReplyDeleteMy son and I read the bible in one using the you version app - it was a wonderful goal he and I set together and were able to stay on track even with travel which sometimes set us back --- we just doubled up our days of reading. We looked forward to our reading time together and are now figuring out what plans we will do this year.
ReplyDeleteSo thankful I read this tonight! I started your plan last year and failed! I went shopping today and felt guilty all the way home cause I hadn't read today. I check these out and try again!
ReplyDeleteI am a new reader of your blog and I really look forward to your posts! You have so much energy and are full of life and I admire how you live your life with passion. What a great role-model for your children! -Stephanie (Tokyo)
ReplyDeleteThanks Kim!! I totally failed last year on my bible reading..so I am going to try again and use the Heartlight's plan and try again!
ReplyDeleteLove these ideas... I'm going to print out the pdf version for my boys, love the format! And you are so right, it's not about winning a prize for reading the most, it's about getting into the habit of getting into the Word!
ReplyDeleteOur pastor told us about signing up via email for a daily BIble reading. So I signed up to get a daily reading in my inbox, and the passage is right in the body of the email. I don't even have to go get my Bible. There's even an option to have someone read it to you, I tried it, but decided I liked reading it myself better! LOL Here's the link I used: http://about.esvbible.org/resources/reading/ I chose the Chronological Daily Bible reading. So far, I am on track with it. I pray I keep it up!
ReplyDeleteKim, You inspired me last year to read through the bible and I'm happy to say I accomplished my goal. I started December 27th and finished around the first of December. I wrote the dates I read each reading next to the assigned passages so looking back I can see where I took long breaks. I didn't read every day, but I just kept at it and I was so glad to finish it. Thank you for your inspiration on that. Like you mentioned, though, I haven't picked my bible up since I finished and need to do so. I did a lot of highlighting while reading and I think I'll go back through and look at all those things I highlighted as a start to continued reading.
ReplyDeleteThat is also my most favorite photo I have ever seen from you (or anyway, for that matter!). Simply gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteI was just reading other blogs also about picking a word of the year...comtemplating that myself. I think it's a great idea...and that you picked five! Hey, go with what works!.
Laura (who read the Bible through a few years ago and needs to find a new reading plan herself...thanks for the suggestions!)
Thanks Girl! I'm trying... again. :)
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