Join My Bible Reading Journey: Free Plan Included

I’d barely sat down in the cafeteria when my coworker started confessing. Amid the lunchroom’s chaotic sounds – the scrape of chairs, the clatter of cutlery, and the murmur of conversations – our normal casual talk gave way to a more serious discussion. My coworker confessed, head bowed slightly, that she’d never read the whole Bible. She explained to me about how she would attempt each new year to read it through, but that she would drop off somewhere between February or Leviticus.

Does that sound familiar to you? If that’s the case, I’ll share what I told my friend that day.

You can read the Bible.

You can read the Bible in its entirety, and I want to help. During my two decades of pastoral work, I’ve witnessed the difficulty many experience with consistent daily Bible reading. Although there are many reasons people find it difficult to read their Bibles, the three most common objections are time commitment, comprehension, and perfectionism.

First, people struggle to commit time to working through the Bible systematically. They’re intimidated by the Bible’s length, believing it’ll take far too long to read. It may surprise you, but reading the entire Bible in a year is achievable with only 15-20 minutes of daily commitment. Just like eating an elephant, this large undertaking is best approached one small bite at a time. 

Next, some modern audiences may find this message hard to comprehend. Since the Bible was written long ago by people of a different time, some parts require careful interpretation to understand. However, the overall message is simple for the average reader. There are so many helpful commentaries and resources to help the beginning reader comprehend the biblical message.

Finally, most people give up because of perfectionism. If you’re anything like me, you’ll inevitably miss a day and get behind on your reading. That’s why there is grace. Reading the Bible shouldn’t be reduced to a task on a religious checklist. God sometimes slows us down to give us a message. Remember, the goal of engaging the Bible is not information, but transformation.

I want to help!

How can I help you? (I’m glad you asked.)

This year I’m guiding my church through a systematic reading of the Bible called In the Word Together. Having compared different Bible reading plans, I decided on the one developed by Robert Murray M’Cheyne, a Scottish minister from the 19th-century. He created this plan for his congregation to read the Old Testament once and the Psalms and New Testament twice. Each day has four readings; two for personal and two for public readings.

Despite its 19th-century Scottish origins, the plan is now used worldwide for Bible reading and discipleship. Its structure has prompted many devotional authors to produce relevant study guides, reflections, and even commentaries. And I hope to add to this well of resources with weekly theological reflections on particular readings from the previous week.

A few years ago, I carried another congregation through an annual reading plan, and I watched the people be transformed by the word of God. I know this year will be no different (see Isa 55:11). God’s Word will transform homes, marriages, and individual lives. I am convinced this is the reason the enemy fights people from engaging the Bible in any significant manner.

Of course, it’s difficult to take the time each day, but the benefits far outweigh the costs. Reading the Bible in community helps give readers a sense of accountability. There will be less than perfect days, and you may fall short of reading all four passages, but with this plan, catching up is not too difficult. Even if you only read the two private readings, you will cover the Psalms and New Testament once, with most of the Old Testament covered.

Will you join me on this journey In the Word Together? If so, click the link below to download a free copy of the reading plan.