For thousands of years, God’s people have used the Bible as a primary means for worshiping and communing with God. However, not all of the books of the Bible have always been as accessible as they are today. Plus, we now have all kinds of helpful apps, commentaries, and summaries to help us gain further insights and perspectives on the text. We even have resources that can read the Bible to us and break down what it means. A practical way to grow as a disciple of Christ is by reading the Bible daily and taking advantage of these great resources.

 

We see studying the Bible as important for growing as a worshiper of Christ, but recognize that it’s hard to know where to start. We have created a year-long Bible Reading Plan to provide some guidance. The books highlighted in this plan were chosen to correspond with things we’ll be learning as a church. The plan includes portions of Scripture that we haven’t read in recent years. Each day, you’ll read one New Testament chapter and one Old Testament chapter. This means that you’ll read the entire New Testament (some books twice) this year, and every three years, you’ll read each Old Testament book.

 

The reading plan is based around Genesis. We will also read the entire Pentateuch, which is the first five books of the Old Testament that provide a foundation for so much of what comes up later in the rest of the Bible. It’s a big project, but it is worthwhile to read it all together as one unit of Scripture. These five books form a coherent section of Scripture, known as the “Law” books, and they tell a continuous story about the beginnings of God’s redemption plan for humanity. Take note of how this story and other themes introduced in Genesis–Deuteronomy carry through to the Prophets and even the New Testament writings.

 

If you need some help digesting what you are reading, here are some questions to consider:

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1. What does this Bible chapter/ passage teach me about God?

2. What does this Bible chapter/ passage teach me about myself or people in general?

3. How is God leading me to apply what I have learned in this passage? Is it through making a change, taking up a new practice, reaching out to someone, etc.?

4. What does this passage inspire me to talk to God about as I pray to him?

 

If you still have some questions on how to read the Bible, feel free to ask any staff member and we will be glad to help.

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Download a pdf copy of the reading plan with the button below and consider printing it so you can mark off the days as you go!