I'd like to challenge you to spend more time reading the Bible in 2011.
Have you ever read the Bible right through, every word of it? If you haven't, why not make it a goal to do so. You don't have to read it all in 2011 but you could make a good start and take as long as you need to finish it.
You could use a Bible Reading Chart like one that my children and I have used in the past. Print it out, fold it and tuck it into your Bible and mark of the chapters as you read them. No requrement to read a certain amount or in a certain order, just mark of each chapter as you read it. You'll be able to see at a glance if there is something you haven't read yet and need to make a special effort to read.
If you'd like to take on a big challenge join us for Mom's Toolbox's Bible in 90 Days Challenge which start next week.
Whatever you do, I hope you will determine to spend more time reading the Bible in 2011. I'd love to hear how you do.
Showing posts with label Bible Reading. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bible Reading. Show all posts
Saturday, January 01, 2011
Monday, July 05, 2010
Finished Day One of the B90 Challenge!
It's my third time reading this particular portion of Genesis since January 2010. :)
I had started a Bible reading plan at the beginning of the year and had read all of Genesis, as well as other books. I did real good with that plan until about April. I had been doing my Bible reading online and I started having computer troubles and that's when I started to fall behind.
Then, in April I got a new Bible, because my old one was worn out and falling apart and I was afraid to take it out in public for fear of losing pages. When I got my new Bible I decided that the first thing I wanted to do was read the Bible from cover to cover. I wasn't following any particular reading plan. I was instead just reading along, starting from the beginning. I had made it as far as Exodus 11. I really wasn't as consistent in my Bible reading as I would have liked.
When I read Life as Mom's post yesterday about the Bible in 90 Days Challenge that was starting today I was intrigued. I had read about the 90 challenge before and was tempted to try it before but I resisted the temptation. This time, however, I gave in. :) I really liked what she said about wanting to do the challenge because she wanted to spend more time with Jesus and get to know Him better. That resonated in my spirit. My time with Jesus has been sadly lacking lately and I decided it was time to do something about it and I figured this challenge would help. When I popped over to read Mom's Toolbox's post about where this challenge originated I was sold.
I printed off the schedule this morning and started in to read. I was in the house alone so I started reading out loud, and I really liked that. I've decided to try to do most of the reading out loud in my house if possible. It just feels good to have the word actually spoken in my house. I read for a bit this morning and finished it off this evening. I even read one extra chapter thinking that it was part of the prescribed reading for today. So, I'm ready to start with Genesis 18 tomorrow.
I had started a Bible reading plan at the beginning of the year and had read all of Genesis, as well as other books. I did real good with that plan until about April. I had been doing my Bible reading online and I started having computer troubles and that's when I started to fall behind.
Then, in April I got a new Bible, because my old one was worn out and falling apart and I was afraid to take it out in public for fear of losing pages. When I got my new Bible I decided that the first thing I wanted to do was read the Bible from cover to cover. I wasn't following any particular reading plan. I was instead just reading along, starting from the beginning. I had made it as far as Exodus 11. I really wasn't as consistent in my Bible reading as I would have liked.
When I read Life as Mom's post yesterday about the Bible in 90 Days Challenge that was starting today I was intrigued. I had read about the 90 challenge before and was tempted to try it before but I resisted the temptation. This time, however, I gave in. :) I really liked what she said about wanting to do the challenge because she wanted to spend more time with Jesus and get to know Him better. That resonated in my spirit. My time with Jesus has been sadly lacking lately and I decided it was time to do something about it and I figured this challenge would help. When I popped over to read Mom's Toolbox's post about where this challenge originated I was sold.
I printed off the schedule this morning and started in to read. I was in the house alone so I started reading out loud, and I really liked that. I've decided to try to do most of the reading out loud in my house if possible. It just feels good to have the word actually spoken in my house. I read for a bit this morning and finished it off this evening. I even read one extra chapter thinking that it was part of the prescribed reading for today. So, I'm ready to start with Genesis 18 tomorrow.
Read Your Bible in 90 Days
I just signed up for a Read Your Bible in 90 Days Challenge. You can read all about it here - http://www.momstoolbox.com/blog/2010/04/05/bible-in-90-days-sign-up-for-the-july-2010-edition/ . My Bible reading has been haphazard for a while now and I'm hoping this will get me on track again.
Saturday, April 03, 2010
New Bibles!
I finally got a new Bible! I'd given up taken my old one to church for a while now because pages, and whole sections, were falling out of it so I was always afraid I was going to lose some. Today I got a new Bible so tomorrow I can finally take a Bible to church again! I'm so excited. I like to be able to look up the scriptures that are mentioned and of course I always have my trusty pencil and paper on hand to jot down notes. I had the pencil and paper even when I didn't have the Bible but it's just not the same. Sometimes the wrong references are given and I prefer to look up the verse and make sure the reference is right before jotting it down.
Along with my new Bible to take to church, I also got a Chronological Study Bible. I spotted this Bible last week when I was checking around for a new Bible to take to church and I really, really wanted it. I was torn because I wanted a new Bible to take to church, but I also wanted this Bible. Thankfully DH agreed to purchasing both today!
I have followed chronological Bible reading plans a few times in the past, including last year, and I found that it helped me to understand some things better. What I really like about the Chronological Study Bible is the study notes and features that are included throughout. I'm thinking this will help even more.
I started reading the introductory pages right away and I've learned so much already! It's really interesting to read about how they decided on the order they've used in the book. They make no bones about the fact that there are many different opinions about the correct order and they do not claim that the order they have chosen is the correct order. I like that.
I'm looking forward to using both my new Bibles.
How about you? Do you own a Bible? Do you like to take a Bible to church with you? Have you ever read the Bible through? Have you ever read the Bible through chronologically? What is your favorite Bible Reading Plan? What is your favorite Bible Study tool?
Along with my new Bible to take to church, I also got a Chronological Study Bible. I spotted this Bible last week when I was checking around for a new Bible to take to church and I really, really wanted it. I was torn because I wanted a new Bible to take to church, but I also wanted this Bible. Thankfully DH agreed to purchasing both today!
I have followed chronological Bible reading plans a few times in the past, including last year, and I found that it helped me to understand some things better. What I really like about the Chronological Study Bible is the study notes and features that are included throughout. I'm thinking this will help even more.
I started reading the introductory pages right away and I've learned so much already! It's really interesting to read about how they decided on the order they've used in the book. They make no bones about the fact that there are many different opinions about the correct order and they do not claim that the order they have chosen is the correct order. I like that.
I'm looking forward to using both my new Bibles.
How about you? Do you own a Bible? Do you like to take a Bible to church with you? Have you ever read the Bible through? Have you ever read the Bible through chronologically? What is your favorite Bible Reading Plan? What is your favorite Bible Study tool?
Sunday, February 07, 2010
Bible Reading Report
I've been writing posts about my reading but I realized today that I haven't written a post about the most important reading that I do - my Bible Reading.
Back at the beginning of January I wrote a post that included my thoughts on the importance of Bible reading and some Bible reading plans I was considering following. I mentioned that I had started using the default reading plan at Bible Read Through but wasn't really feeling settled in to it. Well, after 38 days of consistently using it I think I can safely say that I am now settled in to it. :)
I wondered how I would enjoy reading passages from three different books of the Bible everyday but I have really been enjoying it. I think the fact that I am doing it online and all the passages are together on one page for the day makes it more enjoyable than if I had to manually look up the three different passages each day.
Having said that, however, I am missing actually holding the Bible in my hand and turning the pages. I'm also finding that I am merely reading and not doing any actual studying. I miss that. I may have to do something about that soon.
I need a new Bible because my old one is falling apart so I may ask for one for my birthday. I was also thinking tonight that I'd like to end my day with Bible reading. I usually start my day with the Bible reading I mentioned above but I may add a night reading of some sort in the near future, maybe when I have a new Bible to page through without having to worry about the pages falling out. :)
How about you? Is Bible reading important to you? Do you have a plan that you have settled in to?
Back at the beginning of January I wrote a post that included my thoughts on the importance of Bible reading and some Bible reading plans I was considering following. I mentioned that I had started using the default reading plan at Bible Read Through but wasn't really feeling settled in to it. Well, after 38 days of consistently using it I think I can safely say that I am now settled in to it. :)
I wondered how I would enjoy reading passages from three different books of the Bible everyday but I have really been enjoying it. I think the fact that I am doing it online and all the passages are together on one page for the day makes it more enjoyable than if I had to manually look up the three different passages each day.
Having said that, however, I am missing actually holding the Bible in my hand and turning the pages. I'm also finding that I am merely reading and not doing any actual studying. I miss that. I may have to do something about that soon.
I need a new Bible because my old one is falling apart so I may ask for one for my birthday. I was also thinking tonight that I'd like to end my day with Bible reading. I usually start my day with the Bible reading I mentioned above but I may add a night reading of some sort in the near future, maybe when I have a new Bible to page through without having to worry about the pages falling out. :)
How about you? Is Bible reading important to you? Do you have a plan that you have settled in to?
Sunday, January 03, 2010
My Reflections on Question #1
While Reflecting on the Old and Preparing for the New I posed 6 questions for myself. Here are my ponderings on question #1
Was my relationship with God what it should have been this past year?
There is definite room for improvement but there were things that I did that were good for my relationship with God.
Daily Bible Reading
I was pretty faithful to my daily devotions. I set my homepage to the chronological reading plan at BibleGateWay.com and I committed to doing the daily Bible reading before doing anything else on the computer. I was faithful to that but was unfaithful when I had computer problems. I probably missed less than 20 or so readings the entire year.
For a few years now I have made it a goal to read through the Bible in a year. I've used a number of different methods to help me do this and I've done fairly well.
Recently I've come across even more online Bible reading helps:
ESV Bible Reading Plans
For the Love of God
One Year Bible Blog
Bible Read Through
Blogging Thru the Bible in 90 Days
This year I've started doing the default Bible Reading plan through Bible Read Through but I don't feel totally settled into it yet and may change to one of the others. The Bible in 90 Days challenge is tempting but I don't want to take on more than I can handle. In reality, though, it shouldn't be any big deal to spend an hour a day reading my Bible. Thing is, I'd like more time to actually study the Bible too, so we'll have to see. I've still made a commitment to do nothing on the computer until my Bible reading is done. It is priority number one.
I believe that daily Bible reading is vital if you want to grow in God. I've been encouraging my kids in that for years. You don't have to read the Bible through in a year. Start small and work up. One thing I did for my kids was I made them a Bible Reading Chart to tuck into their Bibles. On it was listed all the chapters of the Bible and I suggested that they mark of each chapter as they read it and work their way through the Bible no matter how long it took them to do so. It seems daunting at the beginning but slow and steady gets you through and it feels good to have tangible evidence of what you have read.
I'd like to encourage all readers, Don't Forget The Most Important Book.
Bible Memorization
I wanted to work on Bible memorization and had great plans, but I didn't follow through on them. I need to do better this year. I found the Scripture Memory System a couple of years ago and have made an attempt at using it but haven't been faithful. I really want to give it another try. I'd love to find an online tool to use but haven't found one that fits me yet.
Prayer
While there have been many times in the past year that I had great prayer times, brought on by tough circumstances, I could have, and should have, been much more consistent in my prayer life. I do fine with praying about things throughout the day but I don't do well with focused intentional prayer time. I need to work on that.
Yesterday I decided to start a prayer journal document to help me be more focused and intentional with my praying. I've started prayer journals before but they've died out quickly. I'm thinking doing it on the computer may help me be more consistent, but we'll see. Basically all I'm doing so far is taking time when it strikes me to write whatever I happen to be praying for at the time.
One thing that I did work on more last year was praying scripture. I really found that to be helpful and powerful. I am hoping to do more of that in my prayer journal this year and I may share more here.
So, that's my ponderings on question #1. My relationship with God wasn't too bad this past year. I made some conscious efforts to improve it, and it definitely helped, but there is also definite more for improvement, and I will be working on improving it this year.
Was my relationship with God what it should have been this past year?
There is definite room for improvement but there were things that I did that were good for my relationship with God.
Daily Bible Reading
I was pretty faithful to my daily devotions. I set my homepage to the chronological reading plan at BibleGateWay.com and I committed to doing the daily Bible reading before doing anything else on the computer. I was faithful to that but was unfaithful when I had computer problems. I probably missed less than 20 or so readings the entire year.
For a few years now I have made it a goal to read through the Bible in a year. I've used a number of different methods to help me do this and I've done fairly well.
Recently I've come across even more online Bible reading helps:
ESV Bible Reading Plans
For the Love of God
One Year Bible Blog
Bible Read Through
Blogging Thru the Bible in 90 Days
This year I've started doing the default Bible Reading plan through Bible Read Through but I don't feel totally settled into it yet and may change to one of the others. The Bible in 90 Days challenge is tempting but I don't want to take on more than I can handle. In reality, though, it shouldn't be any big deal to spend an hour a day reading my Bible. Thing is, I'd like more time to actually study the Bible too, so we'll have to see. I've still made a commitment to do nothing on the computer until my Bible reading is done. It is priority number one.
I believe that daily Bible reading is vital if you want to grow in God. I've been encouraging my kids in that for years. You don't have to read the Bible through in a year. Start small and work up. One thing I did for my kids was I made them a Bible Reading Chart to tuck into their Bibles. On it was listed all the chapters of the Bible and I suggested that they mark of each chapter as they read it and work their way through the Bible no matter how long it took them to do so. It seems daunting at the beginning but slow and steady gets you through and it feels good to have tangible evidence of what you have read.
I'd like to encourage all readers, Don't Forget The Most Important Book.
Bible Memorization
I wanted to work on Bible memorization and had great plans, but I didn't follow through on them. I need to do better this year. I found the Scripture Memory System a couple of years ago and have made an attempt at using it but haven't been faithful. I really want to give it another try. I'd love to find an online tool to use but haven't found one that fits me yet.
Prayer
While there have been many times in the past year that I had great prayer times, brought on by tough circumstances, I could have, and should have, been much more consistent in my prayer life. I do fine with praying about things throughout the day but I don't do well with focused intentional prayer time. I need to work on that.
Yesterday I decided to start a prayer journal document to help me be more focused and intentional with my praying. I've started prayer journals before but they've died out quickly. I'm thinking doing it on the computer may help me be more consistent, but we'll see. Basically all I'm doing so far is taking time when it strikes me to write whatever I happen to be praying for at the time.
One thing that I did work on more last year was praying scripture. I really found that to be helpful and powerful. I am hoping to do more of that in my prayer journal this year and I may share more here.
So, that's my ponderings on question #1. My relationship with God wasn't too bad this past year. I made some conscious efforts to improve it, and it definitely helped, but there is also definite more for improvement, and I will be working on improving it this year.
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