Some Benefits:
- It keeps me accountable. If I don't have a plan, I will not be totally accountable in reading the Word of God. Without a plan, I'm easily tempted to skip a day ... or two ... or three ... and on and on it goes. A plan keeps me disciplined in the Word on a daily basis. Now, not everyone has the problem of discipline and accountability. For example, my mom. She doesn't use a Bible-reading plan, because she reads her Bible way more than she would in a plan. It all depends on what works for you. For me, I need a plan to keep me accountable.
- It helps me read the entire Bible. I found that before I started a plan, I'd be avoiding books that seemed "too hard" or "too theological" (my dad would say that isn't a term) to me. I'd read books like Genesis, Exodus, and then skip over Leviticus. I'd read Psalms and Proverbs and skip the Prophets. I'd read some of Paul's letters and steer clear of Revelation. What treasures I missed! A Bible-reading plan helped me to first discover the riches contained in the pages of each and every book of the Bible. A plan keeps me from reading just my favourite books and missing out on the wealth of riches in every book.
- It helps me see the over-all picture of the Bible. Each book of the Bible you read is like a puzzle piece, and, as you read, you put piece by piece together and you understand more clearly how the Bible works together as one unified, concise book. You see its key themes and they help you recognize the Bible as a whole.
Some Tips:
- Pick a plan that works best for you. I like a one-year Bible reading plan, but my brother uses a three-year plan. Neither plan is better, but mine does work better for me, as his does for him. Look around at plans and don't pick the first one you find. Get godly counsel. Talk to a pastor, mentor, or parent. Get their input. And then make the final choice on the plan that you like the most and which will work the best for you.
- If you're reading the Bible all the way through for the first time, read it with someone else. When I read my Bible for the first time with my dad, it made such a difference! I had someone who had read the same text as me and who was anticipating my questions and who was there for discussions. It was definitely a blessing!
- Pray, pray and pray some more. Pray for guidance in picking a plan. Then pray for joy in reading the Word. Pray for discipline. Pray for wisdom. Pray that the Lord would reveal Himself to you in the pages of His Word. And then ask others to pray for you. Prayer is the key to making it successfully through a plan. Pray before you read the Word. Pray after you've closed the Word. Pray as you read the Word. As Paul says in Colossians 4:2, "Devote yourself to prayer!"
So as I begin my journey through the Bible this next year - take 3 - I want to encourage you in the Word. If you're in the middle of a plan right now, keep on keeping on! If you're not using a plan, but are studying the Word on your own, good for you! I greatly admire your discipline, your dedication, and your desire for the Bible! And finally, if you're considering starting a plan, I hope my words have helped you and encouraged you to take a deeper look into the blessings of Bible-reading-plans.
"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God." Colossians 3:16