Bible Reading in 2024

January 2nd, 2024

Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!
– Psalm 34:8 –

January is often a season of new beginnings. Maybe this is the time of year you wonder about trying to read the bible? And maybe you don’t really know where to start. Or you’ve tried before and the wheels fell off by February.

Well, there’s good news for you! can look at plans without fear of condemnation because bible reading is not something we do to get or keep God’s approval.

Why think about a Bible plan?

To put it simply, we want to know God more than we did before.And this isn’t just knowing more about him, but knowing him relationally as a friend you are growing to love and trust. So, the plan is intended to create structure and space for you to connect with the Lord. If you want to grow and need some help, I’d recommend 3 steps: Plan | Place | Process

P L A N

SELECT A BIBLE PLAN

The ESV Study Bible is a very helpful tool - visit esv.org for bible plans - and you can have the readings emailed to you every morning by subscribing.

The Bible App by Youversion has hundreds of bible reading plans and you can listen to audio versions while you drive or walk.

Good reading plans to check out include:
M’Cheyne One Year Plan I Bible in 2 Years | Chronological Bible |

FEEL THE FREEDOM TO CHANGE

While sticking to a plan is helpful, recognize that you may need to shift plans because of life transitions or a preferred approach. The goal is fellowship with the Lord, not completing a particular plan.

FIND UNHURRIED TIME

What kind of timeframe do you have?
Can you make adjustments to clear more time?
Ex: You can pick out clothes the night before, make your lunch the night before, set coffee maker, go to sleep 30 minutes earlier…etc. PLACE

P L A C E

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION

"And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, [Jesus] departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed." Mark 1:35

MINIMIZE DISTRACTIONS

Quiet + Low traffic + Away from screens/emails/texts…protects your focus on God’s Word and prayer

P R O C E S S

PRAY

John Piper has a series of brief prayers from the psalms to get you started each morning: (You can remember it by the acronym: IOUS)

Incline my heart to your Word and not to selfish gain. (Psalm 119:36)
Open my eyes that I may behold wonderful things in your law. (Psalm 119:18)
Unite my heart to fear your name. (Psalm 86:11)
Satisfy me in the morning with your steadfast love. (Psalm 90:14)

READ

Read with a highlighter and pen. Mark it up and make notes along the way. This helps you engage while reading and remember what you read!

What stood out to you?
What do you have questions about?

Consider three brief questions:

What does this text reveal about me? my sin, my need?
What does this text reveal about the sufficiency of Christ?
What virtue does this text encourage me to put on in response?

PRAY

Springboard off of scripture into prayer - Talk to God about what you’ve read!
Pray for others based on what you’ve read (Family, Friends, SGCL Prayer Guide)

“Day by day, as God’s sons, we thankfully take the gifts that our heavenly Father bestows…daily reassurance from his promises, daily revelations of Himself from his Word. Day by day, we trustfully hand over to our heavenly Father our various fears and failures, deliberately unstrapping the burden of care from our own shoulders in order to cast it upon Him. Such . . . is the taking and giving (the fellowship) . . . that constitutes the life of faith.”
- J.I. Packer

Hopefully, this starter kit will serve you as you get rolling into the New Year and beyond. As always, let us know if there are any ways we can help you! Looking forward to growing together in 2024.