By far the single most important thing I did in 2012 that helped my relationship with God was reading through the Bible chronologically—with some friends.
I know. You've tried to read the Bible in a year before, BUT about the time you got to Leviticus you ran out of gas. (pun intended.) Then you felt guilty about it. (I feel your pain.) You felt like such loser! (I may be projecting my own feelings onto you now.) Well, let me help you get over your big BUT by introducing you to…
So what happens when you miss a day? A few days? A week? A month? Three months? Six months? A year? (Again, I might be projecting my own past failed experiences in reading through the Bible in a year onto you… sorry.) If you miss a day, week, or month or whatever, I invite you to simply start reading the Bible—not where you left off—but on whatever day it is that day. No Bible-reading mafia types will show up at your house to confiscate your Bible and break your legs. Seriously. No guilt. Say those words slowly right now out loud: "No. Guilt."
Why this approach? I suspect if you take this no guilt approach, you will actually read the Bible more this year than any other year in your life. Next year, we can work on reading the WHOLEly Bible : )
Here's the kicker: Reading through the Bible in a year takes only about 15 minutes a day, but it's 15 minutes a day that will change your life forever.
Following Jesus Together...
BUT Who?
Not sure who you can invite to take this adventure with you? What about your spouse? Your mom or dad? Your kids? Friends from church? Small group? Neighbors? Coworkers? (I hope you're getting the idea that it's the people all around you everyday.)
While I prefer face-to-face gatherings for study and share, I also enjoy the study and share that happens via Facebook. You could start a no-guilt-read-through-the-Bible-together Facebook group right now. Such a group will make it possible for you to leave comments and share what your learning with each other. Most important, it will enable you to share how God is working in our lives as you read and apply his Word.
So, are you in? What is your next step in starting a group right now?
Great news! You don't need to get a new Bible to take this adventure! Here's the one year chronology I will be following this year. (Note: This is a slightly different chronology than in 2012.)
This one year chronological Bible reading plan is also available for FREE online at Youversion.com. You can sign up for the Chronological Reading Plan. Youversion makes it possible to not only read the Bible online in whatever version you choose (I'm bent on the New Living Translation this year again), but you can also listen to the audio of each day's readings for FREE!
Is your big BUT still getting in your way?
If yes, then watch this video.