Like many other Believers, I've walked this path before. So what was it that made my journey through the Bible so rich and meaningful this past year? I think that it was the weaving together of four things that may also help you this year.
READING THE BIBLE CHRONOLOGICALLY
While we are never commanded to read through our Bibles every twelve months, if you choose to do it, this just may become your favorite way of reading through the Word of God. It sure is mine.
The 66 books within your Bible are not necessarily arranged in chronological order. While the events of the Old Testament do come historically before the events of the New Testament, within each section, groups of books are arranged more by similarity.
The first five books of the Bible are the books of Moses, followed by historical books, poetic books, big books of prophesy, followed by little books of prophesy. While wonderfully arranged, it can get confusing as you jump back and forth along the time line as you read. The New Testament is similarly grouped.
Reading the Bible chronologically, on the other hand, will often have you leaping from book to book, all the while moving forward in time, in the order that events occurred and people lived. For linear thinkers like me, it's an eye opener.
Along the way, you'll realize that Job lived at nearly the same time as Abraham; that David's psalms can be sprinkled throughout his life and ministry; that the lives of kings and prophets overlapped one another; and that Paul wrote some of his epistles to churches and to individuals within the time frame of the book of Acts.
There are lots of free chronological Bible reading plans out there that you can download. Better yet, consider the next thing that made a difference for me.
USING AN EASY BIBLE APP
There's a ton of Bible apps on the market; from expensive to free, from expansive to simple-to-use. The Bible software I use for my Bible study and sermon preparation is not the same one I use for my personal daily Bible reading. Why?
Because, even though I try to stay consistent in my daily time with the Lord, I may be in a variety of places and situations over the course of a year. So, I need to keep it simple, easy, and readily available.
For several years I have been recommending the Olive Tree Bible app. In it's simplest form, it FREE across multiple platforms and devices. Currently, I have the King James Version on my PC, Kindle Fire, and Android phone. Apple users have the same access.
You'll find that this app has many Bible reading plans (including a chronological plan) that is extremely easy to use, easy to move from one reading to the next, and easy to sync from one device to another.
I wasn't fumbling with a paper checklist, wondering where I had left it, or wishing I had it with me. It always was, as long as I had at least one of my devices. The Kindle reader was my device of choice for daily reading. Not too big. Not too small. Just right!
Oh, and did I mention that it's FREE? But wait, there's more!
JOURNALING
This was new to me this year; though older, wiser, more mature Christians have been telling me to journal for years. Now that I'm older, wiser, and a bit more mature, I finally heeded their advice. I'm heartily glad I did.
Pastor Paul Chappell and Striving Together Publications developed the Stewarding Life Planner that I used in 2014. It was an extremely valuable tool in strengthening my Bible reading, prayer time, and life stewardship. Well worth the cost.
However, for 2015, I've chosen to buy an empty, lined journal so that I can format my own journaling the way that I'd like to do it.
Don't be overwhelmed by the task of writing things down. It's between you and the Lord. Pages were very full on some days, with much white space on others. Some times I copied verses word for word. Other times, I wrote out things that the Lord brought to mind. It really varied from day to day, and I never wanted this to be a rut or a mere responsibility.
The last help that enriched my Bible reading was not planned -- at least not by me, as the year began.
STUDYING THE BOOK OF ISAIAH
A month or two into the year, we chose to do our Wednesday Evening Bible Study in the book of Isaiah. Studying the background of this major prophet illuminated my understanding of the last half of the Old Testament. Sorting out the Jewish kings, the surrounding empires, the geography, the contemporaries, and the actual timeline, caused all of the pieces of the historical Hebrew puzzle fit together once again. The Bible study happened as my Bible reading was going on and it really helped!
While you may not choose to go deep into Isaiah, stay plugged in at your church. It may be a midweek Bible study, an Adult Bible Class, or your Pastor's current sermon series. You just may be surprised to see how the Lord uses teachers and classes in your life to make your personal Bible reading come alive.
Did I say "365 days of reading?" Well, truth be told, I did have some days where I had to "make up" my reading from the day before. Remember, it's not about perfection; but it does help to be consistent, to set a goal, and to strive by God's grace to achieve that goal.
What is your plan for this coming year? How will you draw closer to Christ through His Word? What will make your own Bible reading richer and more meaningful?
Psalm 119:105 "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path."
Enjoy your journey!
