This little post is something that is more for me than others, but if it is helpful for you that is great. Here I am going to plot out my Bible reading plan for the coming year.
But first…..
A word about 2016 and my reading through the Bible plan. This was a plan that read through the entire Bible throughout the year. I have done it a few times throughout the years, and always have the same feeling when I finish the plan.
These feelings are that I am glad that I have finished and accomplished the goal, but I also wonder if it is merely a goal to accomplish. The bottom-line might be that it is good to meet this goal, but after a year with it I am ready to move on to something different. Perhaps I will get the bug again in 2018 or 2019 to do this again, but not in 2017.
If you have never read through the Bible in a year or at all here is the plan that I used.
https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/60-the-one-year-bible
**note all the links to bible reading plans are from the great youversion app that can be accessed on your android, apple or web connected device. **
This year’s plan
In 2017 I wanted to slow the pace down a little bit to be able to dive into the readings a little bit more. I have a solid habit of getting into scripture daily for things that are not work related (sermon prep and the like don’t count for devotional time in my mind).
Rather than choosing one plan to do for the year, many of which are just iterations of the Bible in a year plan. I am going to begin with a 100 day plan that gives a big picture of the totality of scripture. It is divided into 100 readings that are only a chapter to 2 long. Half are from the Hebrew Bible while the other half are from the New Testament. My hope is that I am going to be able to journal and reflect more on the readings rather than just slogging through.
Here is the 100 days reading plan: https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/25-the-essential-100
After this plan I am planning on piecing together some smaller plans that will alternate between diving deeper into a particular book and then into a practice.
An example of a plan focused on a spiritual discipline is this 2 week long one from Tim Keller’s book “Prayer” https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/1240-prayer-a-14-day-devotional-by-tim-keller
While this plan on the Book of Acts gives a 28 day focus on the birth of the early church https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/644-deeper-into-scripture-acts
The bottom line…
I have a solid plan for the first 100 days of 2017. In there I am trusting I will be able to come up with some ideas and direction where I want to go with the rest of the year. The plans on practices are usually shorter while the scripture focus is longer.
Not being hemmed in by a yearlong plan also allows me a little more freedom to shift midway through it one plan is just not working for me.
You should plot your own course, there are hundreds of plans to choose from at bible.com or through their Bible App.
https://www.bible.com/reading-plans
