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Bible Reading plans

I had someone ask me about a Bible reading plan recently, and I’m always pleased when I get that question, because it means someone is seriously trying to get into Scripture.  There are many Bible reading plans online that can meet all sorts of needs, but I’ll point out just a few and give some thoughts I have in regards to what I’ve learned about reading the Bible.

First, Bible Gateway has several reading plans.  They are going to have one during Lent – I think you can get it by email, or check it daily online.  Here is the link, which will begin to give you readings on Wednesday.  This plan is to read the gospels during the season of Lent, so that may be a helpful thing for you.

Second, here is a 30 reading plan that covers the life of Jesus.  I have not used this plan, but in glancing over it, I think it provides a good guide to read about Jesus for 30 days.  This may be another thing you find helpful for Lent.  You can check it out here.

Third, there are all sorts of reading through the bible in a year plans if you do a search.

Some advice:

  • Many bible reading plans and great intentions get bogged down in Leviticus and Numbers. If you are reading through the Bible for the first time, it is wise to really get to know the gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. If you read just one, I’d suggest John, but they will all work just fine.
  • If you want to read some of the more difficult sections of scripture (I would include Leviticus, Numbers, etc, but also the prophets), here are some suggestions. Read through them with someone else. Develop a reading schedule with them and meet to discuss it weekly. Another suggestion is to find a reading plan that breaks the bible up into 4 readings, New Testament, Old Testament, Psalm, Gospel – that way you are reading different things at once and some of the more difficult books are being read alongside others that are easier reading.
  • There is great value in choosing a particular section of scripture or book and reading that several times. We did this in studying Revelation. The book became more familiar in reading it often, and that allowed it to speak to us better. In seminary I spent a few months reading and rereading the sermon on the mount (Matthew 5-7). I would read and think about 1 chapter per day. I found that to be tremendously shaping for me as the words and concepts could really sink in.
  • Try something, and if it doesn’t work try something else. Don’t give up. There is great value in reading scripture, so stick with it. It can be difficult, but that’s ok. You won’t understand everything. That’s ok. It’s difficult for me often. There are often things I don’t understand, especially at first. But that is where growth comes in.
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Preparing for Lent

Our Lenten worship graphic

Lent is less than a week away, and if you’ve worshipped with us either of the past two weeks, then you know that we are going to be focusing on what or who is shaping you during this Lenten season. This graphic is the one we’ll use throughout Lent – so I thought I’d post it to get you thinking ahead.
Here’s part of what I wrote for the newsletter:
Something dies in order that something can be brought to life. This idea is at the heart of the Christian message. Repentance is leaving behind your entire way of life and moving towards something else. Something dies and something is brought to life. This idea is at the heart of Lent as well. We should not simply waltz into Easter Sunday and hear about the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Instead we are encouraged to spend 40 days dying to ourselves, repenting, setting aside distractions, so that when we gather on Easter Sunday and proclaim the Resurrection we are also experiencing the new life that Christ has brought about in us. There is no room for this new life if the old life is not first dealt with. Our God will have no other gods before him. There is no room for competition. Light has no commerce with darkness. Something must die in order that something else can be brought to life.

Consider these questions:

  • What sorts of things are shaping you?
  • How much time do you spend in prayer?
  • How much scripture reading do you do?
  • How many deep conversations about faith do you have with people you trust?
  • How much time do you spend focusing on God?
  • What are you going to do so that God can bring about new life in you?
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The poem: A Terrible Prayer

I thought I’d post the poem that I shared with everyone on Sunday. I’ll link the book at the bottom. It’s a pretty neat book, a collection of thoughts about and writings on prayer that are what you would probably expect from a book titled, “Ragamuffin Prayers.”

What have your prayer journeys been like?

“A Terrible Prayer” by Mike Yaconelli
I have always been terrible at praying.
I forget.
My mind wanders.
I fall asleep.
I don’t pray enough.
I don’t understand what prayer is
or what prayer does. Continue reading “The poem: A Terrible Prayer”

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Fasting

As we enter the season of Lent, I want to briefly examine a spiritual discipline that you may or may not be familiar with. As we begin our look at fasting, I’m going to put in some scripture that deals with fasting for you to read.

Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river Ahava, that we might deny ourselves before our God, to seek from him a safe journey for ourselves, our children, and all our possessions. For I was ashamed to ask the king for a band of soldiers and cavalry to protect us against the enemy on our way, since we had told the king that the hand of our God is gracious to all who seek him, but his power and his wrath are against all who forsake him. So we fasted and petitioned our God for this, and he listened to our entreaty. Ezra 8:21-23
When I heard these words I sat down and wept, and mourned for days, fasting and praying before the God of heaven. Nehemiah 1:4

But as for me, when they were sick, I wore sackcloth; I afflicted myself with fasting.
Psalm 35:13

Then I turned to the Lord God, to seek an answer by prayer and supplication with fasting and sackcloth and ashes. Daniel 9:3

Yet even now, says the LORD, return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; rend your hearts and not your clothing. Return to the LORD, your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love, and relents from punishing. Joel 2:12-13

He fasted forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was famished.
Matthew 4:2

“And whenever you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces so as to show others that they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that your fasting may be seen not by others but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” Matthew 6:16-18

Hopefully you noticed a few things as you read through those verses. These are not the only Bible references to fasting, but there are enough here for you to get a picture of what is going on. The first thing to notice is that it is an old practice. It has been done since Old Testament times by prophets and followers of God, as well as by kings (I didn’t include those references). Jesus fasted and gave us instructions for “whenever we fast.” In the big picture of the story of God’s people, then, it would appear that fasting is a normal practice for those who are following God, not a strange extreme measure practiced by a fringe group.

Continue reading “Fasting”

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Where your treasure is…

…store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:20-21

These words from Jesus’ teaching in Matthew come from the Sermon on the Mount, a great section of teaching from Jesus, and a very challenging section of scripture. Many times these verses above are connected with storing up monies or wealth or stuff here on earth as opposed to treasures in heaven. And, while this connection is a good one to make, I wonder if there isn’t much more to it than that.
The Gospel reading for Ash Wednesday includes some portions of Matthew 6, namely verse 1-6 and 16-21. In these verses Jesus instructs his followers on things such as fasting, and alms giving. He is giving them basic instructions on piety, and he says in verse 1 that we should not practice our piety in front of others in order to be seen by them. In fact, he says, “beware” of doing that, because then you won’t be rewarded by your Father in heaven. So, what is going on here? Is it as simple as God’s not liking show-offs, so God won’t reward you if you do? Perhaps, but that seems a bit trite I think. Maybe there is something else going on. Continue reading “Where your treasure is…”