Ten more days and it’s 2012.
As pastor of Baliwag Bible Christian Church, I am challenging our church to read through the whole Bible – from Genesis to Revelation – from January to December. We’ll do it in our personal daily quiet time, talk about it in our worship time in our homes, and hear it preached in our weekly worship gatherings.
Instead of reading it in the exact order as it appears in our Bible, we’ll follow a new chronological approach developed by Dr. George Guthrie, author of Read the Bible for Life. He explains:
In the plan that follows, the material of the Bible has been organized to flow in chronological order. Since exact dating of some materials or events is not possible, the chronology simply represents an attempt to give you the reader the general flow and development of the Bible’s grand story. Some passages are placed
according to topic (e.g., John 1:1–3 in Week 1, Day 2; and many of the psalms). There are six readings for each week to give you space for catching up when needed.
I am excited to recommend it to you because I’ve tried doing it this year. I learned to see books of the Bible (particularly the prophetic books) in light of God’s grand story. I learned how to listen more to God and be in line with his purposes and plans. For me, it’s a life-transforming experience. I want our church to experience this, too.
Of course, it’s not only beneficial for our church, but for all Christians. Will you take the challenge to join us in this one-year journey?
If reading through the whole Bible seems a daunting task to you, I have to tell you this: “It isn’t!” You just need 15-20 minutes a day of reading plus a few minutes of reflection to do this. That’s a few minutes a day and a determination to spend a few focused moments listening to God. So, are you ready?
Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation—if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good (1 Peter 2:2-3 ESV).
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17 ESV).
