As a church, we've set the goal of reading the Bible from beginning to end in 2017. For many of us, this is a huge goal, and a little intimidating.
The benefits of reading the Bible are significant. Studies show that an intentional Bible reading plan is one of the most effective ways for an entire congregation to grow spiritually together.
Still, it seems like a big goal. Here are some tips on how to succeed.
1. Get a plan and chunk it down.
One of the best ways to read the Bible is to follow a realistic plan. To read the 75 hours a year, or just 15 minutes a day. The 75 hours seems huge; the 15 minutes a day makes it achievable.
We're going to follow the plan at The Bible Project. It's simple, and it includes videos that help explain the books of the Bible. It's simpler and easier than you think.
2. Decide how to read or listen.
Some of us love reading. Some of us are better at listening. Some like print; others prefer to read on our tablets or phones.
There's no right or wrong. Find something that works for you. Experiment if necessary. There are lots of great options, including audio Bibles, websites, and books. Check out this post from Gospel for Life for options.
3. Do it with others.
The worst thing to do is to tackle a big goal on our own. We all need support. One of the benefits of tackling a goal together is that there's built-in support. We can ask each other questions, encourage each other, and hold each other accountable.
4. Have a clean slate policy.
With a big goal like this, you're bound to fall behind sometimes. The problem is that when we fall behind, we give up. Sometimes we even quit.
It's much better to just keep going. If you're behind a little bit, just catch up. If you're behind a lot, then just pick yourself up and start on that day's reading, and don't sweat it. It's never too late to just keep going.
This is going to be exciting. I hope you'll join us, and tackle this challenge together. You won't regret it.