New Year’s Resolution: Read my Bible!
Ep. 3 – Plan to Read Your Bible
Hey, everyone! Ready to tackle some scripture?
Me, too.
I have many times just sat down with the Word of God and opened up somewhere to read. I have certainly been blessed when doing this, as just about any time I digest the Word it is a good thing.
Still, just like any good project, a plan makes for a most effective result. First, be sure to pray before jumping into anything. I think you’ll find that the Spirit of God is the best guide for where you should start your next study. No one would know better than He, and He doesn’t disappoint. Just ask Him for direction.
I hope this can be a more interactive post for anyone who joins us here at The Other Bald Guy. Below, I have a selection of ideas to help in possibly providing useful information.
Rev. Kevin Salyer of Powhatan Community Church, who is also the original bald guy of PCC (or from this context: the other other bald guy), notes the following:
Regarding personal study…I’ve found that doing this within context of my small group is awesome. It gives me a framework and friends to share the experience with.
Kevin is a rather smart guy. Building that sense of accountability with loved ones, such as a small group study, is important and so supportive.
-WE WANT LINKS!!!-
The following links have not been deeply researched, but interested me enough to want to go back. Just remember, any of man’s writings contain interpretations, positions, and opinions that may or may not fit easily with your current understanding of scripture. Don’t sweat it. I have tried to keep the links below within basic orthodoxy tolerances, but I know some elements of these external sites do not fit my personal position. No matter! If you find something that doesn’t fit, then make it a point of conversation and study! Learn why other Christ-followers see things differently than you. It may not change your mind, but you will still have a better understanding of why others see things the way they do.
BaldGuy Disclaimer: The Other Bald Guy does not endorse any external link, nor provides any guarantees of any sort. Links provided here are suggestions for you to explore. If I have posted a link that really does not belong, then please let me know.
-Want to read the Bible in a year?-
The following sites offer Bible-in-a-year study plans
http://www.christiananswers.net/q-eden/biblereading-1yr.html -a simple chart, also includes a 3-year plan.
http://www.oneyearbibleonline.com/ - “The One Year Bible daily reading plan consist of passages from the Old Testament, New Testament, Psalms, and Proverbs. This arrangement of Scripture brings variety and a fresh approach to each day’s 15-minute reading, while providing a clear understanding of the Bible’s larger message. No other “through the bible” plan presents the entire bible in such a user-friendly format. Simply select the month and date to link to the passages for the day.”
http://www.biblereadthrough.com/ - “Bible Reading Plans, featuring custom schedules, as well as audio and RSS.” This one looks interesting and very customizable.
-TOPICAL LINK: The Concept of Love-
Robin Calamaio offers an exhaustive scriptural study on the concept of Love. The rest of his site looks interesting, as well. He has several topic options.
http://www.freelygive-n.com/Bible_study_on_Love.html
-TOPICAL LINK: The Life of Jesus-
A series of short Bible Studies about the life of Jesus from the folks at Wycliffe Associates. They, too, have other studies on the site that may be good.
http://www.easyenglish.info/bible-study/jesus-life/index.htm
-Memorizing the Word-
Looking to focus on memorization? Below is a link to an article that links to downloadable Bible verse cards.
http://www.creativebiblestudy.com/Biblememorization.html
The AG Discipleship Ministries has a nice wealth of options for Bible memorization at the following link:
http://discipleship.ag.org/Discipleship/Bible_Study/Memorization/index.cfm
-YOUR TURN!!!-
Folks, talk to me. There are as many Bible studies as there are ideas in the Bible. What has worked for you? What fascinating aspects of the Bible have you discovered and can share with us? I am particularly looking for plans of action that are freely accessible.
Also, if you need help looking for something that’s just right for you, then PULEEZE take a moment and ask.
-The Other Bald Guy’s Last Word-
When choosing a plan of study, praying about it isn’t just a good idea, it’s an absolute necessity. While it’s good to be sold on the idea of a study, and I believe it so very beneficial for everyone to be studying the Word, don’t dive in quickly on something you haven’t asked God about. This is a quick way to possibly end up with buyer’s remorse, discouragement, and you can end up preventing yourself from seeking to engage in future studies.
Peace, love, and God’s wisdom.
January 2nd, 2009 at 1:20 pm
I like the journal that we have available at the resource table; it keeps me focused, and it’s cool to know that other people at PCC are also using the same thing, reading the same scriptures at the same time. Which is always fascinating, because God ends up revealing different things to different folks out of the same scriptures….
Great post, Scott. Thanks for the extra links…
January 5th, 2009 at 12:22 pm
Hey Scott, YouVersion has posted a one year Bible reading plan. Since they are web and mobile based, you can easily take this with you without even having to tote a book around.
http://www.youversion.com/one-year-bible
January 5th, 2009 at 12:50 pm
Beth: What a great idea! For folks who would like both a little privacy and community, this is a great way to go! Is there a place on the Net that can tell more about The Journal? I know we’re getting readers that aren’t necessarily a part of our church.
Connie: I love YouVersion! I’m going to poke by and see about it for myself, actually. That is such an awesome idea! Thanks for taking the time to post!
January 11th, 2009 at 1:02 pm
Thanks for referring my site. There are several other things I have done that you might find of interest. One is the Running Oration that puts the four gospels in one running document from the Upper Room through the Ascension. One version (without demarcations) just has little superscripts so the entire ordeal Jesus endured is more fully seen. Also, I have a “Stick Figure Gospel Presentation” available that uses little drawings one can present and it helps the presenter to make sure all the elements of a complete presentation are covered without becoming a “canned” presentation.
Lord bless you all in all your efforts for Him
Robin Calamaio
January 13th, 2009 at 10:52 pm
Hey Scott. Love the site! I would like to weigh in on daily Bible reading. Years ago, I was challenged by my pastor to read through the Bible with him using a one year program. I have to admit, I failed miserably. I was reading a King James Version and made it through about three months. Hating to fail, the following year I tried again, this time with an easy to read version. I stuck with it and, not through my strength; I made it through in a year. Since then I had developed my own plan and have read through many different translations for a total of fifteen times. I am not a memorization fellow but feel I have absorbed the Word through the repetition of reading and reading again. Others have read with me, from the ages of sixteen to seventy-five. I always find this daily reading a blessing. What amazes me is that those times when I fall behind (and who doesn’t), I end up reading the exact Word I need on the day I need it. Let me encourage all of your fellow bloggers to find a plan and start reading. You will be blessed.
January 16th, 2009 at 6:06 pm
love the new social networking I am seeing from PCC it has some “person” ality! Of course I have always loved yours and tammy’s but I have to say I am IMPRESSED with how your blog looks and your use of video at the same time. CAN YOU HELP ME get my GENERIC blogs more “person” centered? I would also be willing to write an “off the cuff” blog for my walk with Christianity if anyone is interested, as you know I have an opinion on just about anything!
OH YEA and the TWITTERING , I haven’t figured out how to respond to a twitter, I GUESS WHAT I AM SAYING IS “can we talk?” LOL
maybe I could come over one evening for a visit?
January 18th, 2009 at 2:44 pm
Hey, everyone. I would have posted sooner, but work has been a real bear this week.
Robin: Your site is such a wonderful labor of love. I hope everyone takes some time to go through your works. Thank you for giving this to the world.
Jack: Thanks for the encouragement! I have to confess that while I have eventually read all the books of the bible, I never successfully managed a bible-in-a-year course. It sounds like you have a plan that would be worth putting up for other folks to see — would you be interested in sharing?
Also, I had a pastor once who recommended reading the same book of the bible thirty times in a row (he said to start with Phillipians). He swore that by the time you were done you’d have a whole book of the bible essentially memorized. Again, I have failed to actually accomplish this. Although about eight times through Phillipians has left its mark on me.
Anjie: Great to hear from you! You know good and well what’s mine is yours.
Although, I don’t know that I have any better handle on twitter than you do. I have an account, and I get it, but it just doesn’t have much application for me. It would probably be an outrageously positive adition to FLBYU, I would think! Email me and let me look at what you’re doing.
Peace, y’all.