Every time the New Year rolls around, many Christians make a goal or a resolution that they are going to spend more time in God’s Word over the coming twelve months. This is a great goal. Reading the Bible regularly is one of the most important ways that one can grow in their faith and in their relationship with God. This is also one of those goals that is easy to let slide when we get so busy with work, family, school, and social activities.
I want to give you two simple tips to help you keep your goal this next year.
1. Commit to reading the New Testament through. I know many people embark on a plan of reading through the Bible in a year. The sad reality is that many of those well-meaning people get lost in Leviticus and are never seen or heard from again! Reading through the New Testament is a very doable goal.
There are only 260 chapters in the New Testament. If you only read one chapter a day, you would complete the New Testament by the middle of September. If you read two chapters a day, you would finish it by early May. How great would it be to read the New Testament through two or even three times this next year?
2. Use a reading plan. Having a reading plan will help you stay on track, especially if you decide to read the whole Bible through in a year. A good reading plan will make sure you make it through Leviticus and Numbers without getting lost! There are many good reading plans available on-line or even in the back of many Bibles.
One of my favorite sources for Bible reading plans is the YouVersion Bible App. It is the most downloaded Bible app in the world with 250 million users and it offers some incredible resources to help someone really dig into God’s Word. Click here to look at some of their Bible reading plans.
I still use a paper version of the Bible for most of my reading and studying. At the same time, I do use the electronic version on my phone or Ipad to access reading plans and for convenience. I do not always have my paper Bible with me but I always have my phone.
These two simple tips will help you be more consistent in reading your Bible this year. Make spending time with God a habit and your life will be transformed over the next twelve months. Paul’s words are still true today! “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.” (2 Timothy 3: 16-17)
David and Annie are serving the Lord in Brazil. They are training leaders and helping build great local churches. Would you consider helping them as they serve? They would love to have you on their team! Just click here to get involved. Obrigado!
