Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Reading Through the Bible in 365 Days



I have been using an excellent reading plan to read through the Bible in 52 weeks, a year plan.  I love it for several reasons related to the way it is organized and recommend it for those who want to find a stimulating approach to reading through the Bible.

On the website, you can get the downloadable pdf at no cost.  The pdf has a chart with 52 weeks along the side and along the top the seven days of the week.  Each block in the chart has a little box you can check off when you have completed that reading, so if I miss a day, I am not necessarily tied to the days of the week listed along the top.  I can just check the block I complete and the next time keep going where I left off.  I may not finish in a year, but the chart allows me to follow along and keep track of myself in an orderly manner.  Instead of a year I can think of it as a 365 day plan.  I like that I can relax and not stress about making sure all my days are filled.  I spend a lot of time in the Word with Bible study and Sunday school preparations and our church home group (which we call care groups) study and my favorite devotional that I don’t want to give up, all while reading through the Bible in a year.  So the set up gives me more freedom rather than more stress.  I like that.

   Above each day, the readings are broken up by Bible sections, Epistles, The Law, History, Psalms, Poetry, Prophecy, and Gospels.  What fun it is to read through the Bible this way.  Each day I read a different section of the Bible so when I hit a spot that is tougher to read, I am not bogged down.  It makes it much easier to read with enthusiasm even the long lists of genealogy  or the difficult trials of Job.  The next day I will have something different to look forward to, but I am also eager to get back to finish where I left off in these heavier sections the next week.  They are far enough apart not to be so weighty all at once, but close enough to keep the flow of the text.  And I have a tendency to want to just review briefly what I read from that book the week before, so I get an extra blessing of holding onto the text a bit more than I might if I was reading straight through.

Since I am using my study Bible in which I am supposed to place chapter titles as I study, I am using this opportunity to think about the themes of the chapter and record them as I go.  There is always so much to be gleaned from each reading of the Word of God.  I appreciate the challenge of considering the theme in each chapter and not having it given to me.  The more I think on the Word of God, the more I allow the Lord to shape me and transform me into the likeness of Christ.  That is my prayer and I know I have a whole lot of transforming left to have done.  

I am always delighted about what God has for me when I come to Him with open heart and open mind.  Another thing I really like about this particular Bible Plan is that I am always excited to see what the reading for the day will be and what God will be teaching me today.  I know that attitude is a gift from God as well, but it is a gift He is readily willing to give to all who ask.  I pray today you will seek and receive your delight in and from the Lord.  
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10 comments:

  1. I clicked over and checked out the guide you use, you're right it doesn't look quite as daunting when broken down the way it is. Maybe Bill and I will give it a shot with the new Bible he just got. Thanks Maria.

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    1. I can tell you now that I have been doing it for a few months, it is working out even better than I thought. I hope you were able to give it a try. God bless, Maria

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  2. My husband encourages our church members to do this each year! So glad you found a system that works for you.
    Keep up the God work and thanks for stopping over @ Life, Love, and Laughter in a Large Family.

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    1. It is great to find a system that works and I am glad there are pastors that encourage their members to read the whole counsel of God. God bless, Maria

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  3. Interesting reading plan! I looked over several before settling of the traditional one where you read about 3 chapters in the Old Testament and 1/2 a chapter in the New Testament each day. I think I'm on target for reading the Bible through in 2 years.

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    1. And I am blessed because you are a woman of the word. I praise God for the Wordly wisdom I get from you because of your devotion to the Word. Thanks Heidi. God bless, Maria

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  4. I like the lack of pressure because sometimes there are weekends, or other places we need to read in the bible, or a day here and there where there isn't enough time to read three chapters. That is such a good plan.

    Thanks for linking up over at WholeHearted Home this week.

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    1. Absolutely Judith. I agree. There are times when you are deeply delving into other areas of the Word and can't keep to this daily schedule and other days, when you might want to keep reading beyond the section on the schedule. With the flexibility of this plan, I really feel free and yet have enough structure to keep me on track. Now that I have been doing this for a few months, I can tell you it is even better than I expected. Thanks for your encouragement. God bless, Maria

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  5. good for you!! I get the readings of the day everyday sent to me on the computer...love it. There is also a commentary on the gospel readings, which has taught me a lot too! Our Bible study class did the Salvation History..oh my gosh...what eye opening lessons. The structured class went through the Bible showing Gods plan all along for our salvation through Jesus. amazing stuff!!

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    1. Hi Annmarie, It is wonderful to find a system and plan that works and even better to tie it in with a study with others with whom you are sharing what God is teaching you. Like you, I get excited when I see Jesus on every page of the Bible. God isn't hiding His message and it is amazing stuff! Thanks for sharing your insights. God bless, Maria

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