A couple years ago I decided to start following a Bible reading plan. It didn't last long, but some of the the principles that I learned through the process did:
1. Sometimes it is more helpful to read longer portions of Scripture at a time and focus less on the details. This helps you get a big-picture concept of the book you are reading.
2. Read from more than one book of the Bible at a time. Different books and genres keep your reading more interesting and keeps you from getting too casual with one kind of style.
3. Read from the Old and New Testaments at the same time. Really, I can't say this one enough. This will help you develop an all-important grasp of the Bible as a whole and understand God's redemptive plan throughout history (which inevitably leads to a greater appreciation for that redemptive plan). Don't ask questions. Just do it.
4. Keep track of what you're reading. I didn't follow the plan I used too closely for long but I still used it to keep track of what books I had/hadn't read so I was making sure I hit all of them.
5. Read and re-read. If you didn't understand something, try reading it again. If you're reading and you see something you never saw before, go back and read it again. Reinforcement is definitely not a bad thing.
6. Don't be afraid of or feel bad for getting off track. Just start again. Or, if you're like me and you find your Scripture reading raises theological questions that take you on reading/studying tangents away from the actual reading plan, go with it. Don't let the reading plan be your boss - it's an aide, not a dictator. The important thing is that you're always reading the Word. If following another tangent keeps you interested in regular reading, that might be your best option, but if strictly sticking to a reading plan helps you keep up with it, great.
7. Journal. Seriously, after you read take a few minutes to write a paragraph or two about your reflections on the passage you read. Some days it might be a page, some days a sentence or two, but taking some time to write it down really helps it stick.
In case you are wondering, here is a link to the particular reading plan I used (and am still using actually). I think this is actually an updated version of the one I have, but it looks to be the same basic schedule. I chose it because it has you reading from four different genres all at once, and it gives you 5 or so days at the end of the month to catch-up in case you fall behind or to spend an extra day or two in a passage of interest you came across along the way.
The key is to find a plan that works for you, one that keeps you reading, and to stick to it. Try a couple until you find one that is a good fit. Maybe reading 2 of the 4 on this plan is a good start?
And if you're serious about reading from the Old and New Testaments at the same time, here are a couple suggestions to get you started:
- OT-Genesis, NT-Romans, Galatians, Ephesians
- OT-Exodus, NT-Acts, Hebrews
Labels: journal/quiet time