What Use Is a Bible Reading Plan?
It’s a new year—a popular time to make resolutions, form new plans, and set goals for the year ahead. For some Christians, starting a new Bible reading plan is an exciting part of that. For others, it can be overwhelming.
Information Overload!
I remember the first time I ventured into a Bible reading plan. I asked a pastor friend of mine where I should begin. There were, and are, so many options!
And, if you just search on Google for Bible reading plans, the links are countless! I even found one link that provides over ten thousand Bible reading plans on their website! They have a plan for everyone and every topic you can imagine: adults, kids, teens, married couples, singles, dating couples; as well as topical plans such as finances, repentance, anxiety, grief, forgiveness, etc. You get the point.
Maybe, you are one of those who read the whole Bible every year. Seems simple, right? Well, even then, there are many different plans available. So, which one do you choose? It’s quite understandable that it can be very overwhelming. So much so, you might even decide, “Why bother?”.
Why Read the Bible?
The Bible exhorts us to delight in God’s Word (Ps. 40:9; 119:24-25). Furthermore, God has given us everything we need for a life set apart for him through his Word. It is a lamp unto our feet that lights our path (Ps. 119:105) and we can know that “His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence (2 Pet. 1:3).
Why Read the Bible with a Plan?
So, why does a Bible plan help us delight in God’s Word and be set apart for his purposes? I’m sure there are as many reasons as there are Bible reading plans, but here are just a few:
- A plan holds you accountable to being in God’s Word consistently
- A plan helps you see God’s heart more deeply
- A plan helps you grow more in Christlikeness as God’s Word encourages and convicts you
- A plan leads to faithfulness and fruitfulness in other spiritual disciplines
- A plan produces a desire to do God’s will and pursue obedience in him
- A plan sustains you for whatever the day beholds, whether it be joy or trials
When the Plan Doesn’t Go According to Plan
Now, let me be real with you. Even though I typically follow a Bible reading plan, there are days when I fail to read my Bible. It happens to all of us. So, don’t let a day or two skipped discourage you or cause you to give up. We serve a gracious Father who wants to meet with us—out of grace, not guilt. He wants to spend time with us daily because he is our Maker—the same Maker who knows how incapable, sinful, and distractable we are.
So, don’t give up when you slip up. Let the Spirit empower you to open the Word again—regardless of how you feel or how far behind you are. You will reap great spiritual fruit as you press on!
The Power of a Plan and a Community
This past Sunday at College Park Church, Pastor Mark Vroegop announced a Bible reading challenge to kick off the new year. The goal is to read the entire New Testament in thirty days.
I must confess that I’ve never read so much of the Bible in such little time before. But I love the idea of reading through a plan with my fellow brothers and sisters at College Park Church.
Here’s the cool thing about a Bible reading plan: you can participate no matter where you are. Plus, you can find friends to read alongside you, wherever you may be. So, will you join me and many others as we begin the new year diving into God’s Word? Let’s know him and make him known—together!
