Monday, January 1, 2018

Bible Reading Plan for 2018 - Do you have one?

If you are seeking to know God or to know God better in 2018, you need a great Bible reading program; a plan that is organized and scheduled and provides great resources so that you can understand what you are reading and how to apply it to your life. Personally, I'm a big fan of "The Bible Project" (https://thebibleproject.com/) or "Read Scripture" (http://www.readscripture.org/).

Personally, I'm committing to their daily reading plan which takes one from Genesis 1 through Revelation 22 (and twice through the Psalms) in just under one year. They have creative videos and other resources that enhance the Bible reading experience.

In this blog, I hope to share some of things I'm learning and thinking about as I go through the readings and resources related to those readings. One book that is already helping me in preparation for readings from the Old Testament/Hebrew Bible is "How to Read the Jewish Bible" by Marc ZVI Brettler. If you are a maximalist, you won't agree with some (or perhaps much) of, what he presents. However, you will understand what a more minimalist approach is all about, plus you'll be exposed to what academic research has determined regarding the text of the Hebrew Bible. If you want something more consistent with a maximalist approach, I would recommend, "How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth" by Gordon Fee.

In addition, it is important to have a really good translation and a theologically less biased Study Bible. I would recommend the NET Bible with study notes (http://netbible.com/) or the NRSV Oxford Annotated Study Bible (https://www.amazon.ca/Oxford-Annotated-Bible-Apocrypha-9530/dp/0195289609).

Also, having a Bible Reading partner or being part of a Bible reading group, where you help each other, share with each other and hold each other accountable is essential for most people.  Reading the Bible through in one year, while learning and growing, is seldom accomplished by individuals without support and accountability.

Whether you are novice or an experienced Bible reader, there is much to learn from the most popular book ever written. You owe it to yourself to either check the Bible out or to grow in your knowledge of this convoluted, somewhat confusing, yet informational and inspiring book. 

All the best to you and yours for 2018!

No comments:

Post a Comment

Introducing My "Skeptics Believe" Website

Greetings: If you are one of the readers/subscribers to this blog, you've noted I've not published any posts here since early March....