Read Your Bible in 2020
"The approach of another year stirs up within me new desires for your salvation, and for the growth of those of you who are saved...Those believers will stand firmest who have no dependence upon self or upon creatures, but upon Jehovah our Righteousness. We must be driven more to our Bibles, and to the mercy-seat, if we are to stand in the evil day..." - Robert Murray McCheyne to his congregration in 1860.
We taught our kids the little song from years past, "Read your Bible, pray every day, and you'll grow - grow - grow." (We do the motions, too.) Whether you know the song or not isn't important...but the principle holds true. All the healthy disciples I've ever known were regularly hearing, reading, studying, memorizing, and meditating on God's Word.
But how do you that best?
1. HAVE A PLAN:
There are all sorts of plans available in print, online, and in smartphone apps. You can do the Bible in 1 year, 2 years, the New Testament in 1 year, 100 Essential passages broken up over a year. (We've done all of these in the past.)
This year, I'd like to invite you to do the F260 plan with me (the "F" stands for Foundations). It includes "catch up days" and memory verse challenges. Use these links to get started:
Follow along using the YouVersion Bible App
(For more resources connected to this plan, you can click here.)
2. SLOW DOWN
There is no prize for finishing early. What good is cramming a lot of reading if there's no comprehension or reflection? Remember, the Bible wasn't given to make you smarter or convey information, it was given to change your life!
3. READ IT LIKE A LOVE LETTER...NOT A HISTORY REPORT.
This is what God wanted to tell you about Himself...His revealed Word. He loves you so much that He sovereignly preserved His Word in a language that you can understand. Enjoy it...if you don't fully understand every nuance...it's okay!
Doing this together will help you in more ways than you can imagine. If you don't use this plan, pick one! Get in the Word so the Word can get into you!
In case the F260 isn't your speed, click here for 9 options from Crossway.