Since I became a Christian in my teen years, I’ve known that reading the Bible regularly is something I should do. Like most of you, I’ve struggled over the course of my Christian life to find a way to be consistent and at the same time actually benefit in my walk with Jesus. I’ve tried lots of things from devotionals with Scripture passages, daily reading plans that come on a sheet to check off each day, and the daily office of the Anglican Church. Then in 2010 I was with our Bishop Neil Lebhar for one of those clergy events and noticed at breakfast that he was reading a One Year Bible. For those unfamiliar, this is a trademarked Bible from Tyndale Publishing that came out back in the ‘90s. It gives you an Old and New Testament reading that allows you to read through the Bible in one year, plus portions of Psalms and Proverbs so that you read these along with the other readings. Yes, four readings per day. I knew about the One Year Bible from years before but figured it was just a passing fad. Perhaps it was, but prompted by +Neil’s witness, I picked up a One Year Bible and started reading daily. Since 2010 I have read through the entire One Year Bible five times. I’ve only managed to read the Bible in a year once, but despite taking longer than intended, I’ve kept at it, and let me tell you I have been so blessed in the process.

 

I will warn those of you that might decide to try this plan for 2017: it’s a good bit of reading. I probability read 20 minutes straight each morning (except days I miss). What I love is that by reading through over and over again, I have grown in my understanding of the overall flow and connections of Scripture. It’s also remarkable to me that often the Old and New Testament portions connect with each other in some unexpected way. For example, you read about the struggles of Joseph in Egypt at the same time you are reading about Jesus’ instructions to the disciples about facing persecution. I’m also continually blessed by the Psalms which speak so powerfully to the struggles of everyday life, and the challenge of Proverbs to live as a person listening to true wisdom. I can’t speak for the ladies, but every man would benefit from simply reading through the book of Proverbs every month. 

 

My prayer is that some of you will purchase a One Year Bible, or use the free digital version available through the YouVersion app

(under daily reading plans) and challenge yourself to read through the whole Bible. Again, don’t get caught up in the “one year” thing. The benefit is really the process of reading the whole. For those who choose to try this plan, I am going to create a forum for sharing questions that are raised as you read through, particularly the Old Testament and some of the writings of Paul. Email me at alex@servantsanglican.org if you are interested in being a part of the group.

 

Happy reading…

 

Alex +