Nothing is more needful for a Christian than the actual reading of the Word of God. It will help us grow in our relationship with Jesus like nothing else. We will find ourselves protected from error by relying on His Word rather than someone’s interpretation of it.
But how do I read it? What pattern should I follow?
Almost all of us have started with Genesis and planned to go to Revelation, just like we would read a novel. Seldom does this work. We get bogged down in Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy, and our best intentions get sidetracked. Any reading pattern that keeps you away from the words of Jesus for an extended part of the year is not the best plan.
Let me share with you a pattern that works for me. Before I tell you about it, there is a tool that you will need. You must have a Bible you can write in. If your Bible is too valuable to write in, put it on the coffee table and buy a cheaper Bible you do not mind marking in. It is at least as important that the Word get into you as it is getting you into the Word.
Begin by putting a marker at Psalm 1. Read a Psalm every day before you read anything else. This will set the tone for the day. Whatever you are going through and wherever you are in your own spiritual growth, you will find a Psalm that just fits.
Perhaps you need to be reminded of some aspect that should be in your prayers. Psalm 105 will remind you of praise and how it should be a part of your life. Psalm 51 may remind you of the need for confession. Psalm 22 will remind you of Jesus and His crucifixion, while Psalm 23 reminds you of His grace. Psalm 42 speaks of your need for God while Psalm 46 urges you to “Be still and know that I am God.”
Then put a marker at Matthew 1 and another at Romans 1. This is the beginning of a pattern that I want you to understand. After you have read a Psalm, read a chapter or segment from the gospels and then one from the epistles. This will allow you to read three chapters per day. You would read Matthew, Mark, Luke, John and Acts before you start reading Matthew again.
The same would be true for the epistles. Begin with Romans and when you finish Revelation you would return to Romans. This repetitive reading will allow God to teach you more every time you read His Word.
Note the flexibility of this plan. If you have time today you could read more and if you are particularly busy you could read less. You do not have a deadline. Some people like to read a Psalm and a portion from the Gospels in the morning and a portion from the Epistles at night. Perhaps you are so busy you have to choose whether to read from the Gospels today or the Epistles. You can then read the other tomorrow.
If you are a new Christian or this is the first time you have tried reading the Bible as a daily exercise, this is your Bible reading plan. This is the way to get started. You will immediately note that you are leaving out the Old Testament. I do not want to devalue the Old Testament at all. Because parts of it are harder to understand, begin to incorporate it into your reading after you have read the New Testament through two or three times.
Some of you have been reading God’s Word for some time and want to incorporate the Old Testament from the start. You will want to do this in the same manner that we are now reading the New Testament.
This should not take the place of your New Testament reading but should be in addition to it. Place a marker at Genesis 1 and another at Isaiah 1. This will allow you to be reading the historical books and the Wisdom literature at the same time you are making your way through the prophets. Simply by reading five chapters a day, you are now covering the entire Bible and never leaving the teaching of Jesus. Again, this is very flexible. You may want to add a chapter from the historical books (Genesis through the Song of Solomon) one day and a chapter from the prophets (Isaiah through Malachi) the next.
Finally, let me share with you a warning. The prophets are good and they are God’s Word. It is going to be better, however, that you are reading them along with the teachings and narrative concerning Jesus than to read them by themselves. The prophets are good but they beat you up pretty badly. You will need some grace to go along with them.
Now, you are ready to go. Go at your own pace. But get started reading His Word. It will change your life today and continue to as long as you are on this earth.
The Rev. Randy Spaugh is pastor of Faith Fellowship Church in Kinston. Reach him at drrandyspaugh@gmail.com.