Maybe you, like hubby and me, started the year with great intentions of reading the Bible in a year. I’ve actually accomplished that goal a number of times and try to choose different Bible translations and reading guides each year to add new insights and perspectives. But one of the things I notice is that I’m pretty much racing through to stay on track and not actually taking the time to ponder, contemplate, and study what I’m reading. I’m more goal-oriented than spirit-focused.
My husband and I each started this year with the same annual plans, reading from the Old Testament and the New Testament each day. One day he asked if I was still on track. I was, but we each lamented how hard some of the Old Testament chapters were to read and we found ourselves skipping through some of the difficult parts.
A few weeks later, he admitted he’d gone back to reading a chapter of Proverbs and 5 Psalms each day, and I had jumped ahead to the book of Proverbs. “Wisdom” is my word for 2023. After hearing a sermon on wisdom from Proverbs, I felt compelled to actually study the Book of Proverbs to learn more about what God wanted me to learn about wisdom this year and it was going to take a few more months to get there. So I set aside the scheduled plan I was using and moved on to Proverbs.
Then a few weeks ago, as a Blogger Grid Partner on Bible Gateway, I received a free copy of Zondervan’s new hardcover NIV Student Bible to review. Honestly, I expected it to be a Bible designed for school-age students, but to my delight and surprise, it’s designed for the reader to become a student of the Bible. In other words, instead of simply reading the Bible, you could engage with the Scriptures and study as you read each day.
You might be thinking that sounds great, but I don’t have a lot of time each day for my Bible reading. Well, this NIV Student Bible offers a 3-track plan depending on how in depth you want to go. Track 1 is an “Introduction to the Bible” where you read one chapter a day for two weeks at a time covering key topics in the Bible like the Life and Teachings of Jesus or two weeks on Becoming a Christian or on Prayer. The goal of this track is to survey and study basic biblical foundations.
Track 2 is a “Guided Tour of the Bible” with 180 selected passages covering specific topics from all 66 books of the Bible.
Track 3 is my favorite where you read “Every Word in the Bible,” but you take three years to accomplish it by reading one chapter a day from either the Old or New Testament. I don’t know about you, but three years sounds very doable.
Each chapter in the NIV Student Bible offers a “Guided Tour” discussing key verses, concepts, and people in the chapter with a “Life Question” of how to apply the scriptures to your life.
Another helpful study tool in the back of the Bible is “Where to Find It” with a glossary of 100 People and Places, Well-Known Biblical Events, Outline of Old Testament History, a Subject Guide, and more.
You know that you don’t have to start on January 1 to begin a Bible reading plan. Your year or two or three can start anytime you decide.
The world is in such turmoil today, but the one steadfast truth that NEVER changes no matter what translation you choose is found in the Word of God. Christians cannot grow in their faith or even effectively share their faith without a biblical foundation. I know I’m preaching to the choir today, but I am delighted to share with you some new ideas for becoming a student of the Bible. If we all spent as much time in our Bibles as we do on our electronic devices and televisions we would be so much calmer, peaceful, and actually happier!
If you haven’t seen the movie “His Only Son” by Angel Studios, I highly recommend it! They’ve done an excellent job with beautiful scenery, professional acting, and biblical accuracy to bring the story of Abraham, Sarah, and Isaac to life. Their next production will be the life of Jacob.
Happy Spring!
I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Psalm 119:11
About His Work with You,
Janet
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