I've been doing this reading plan for since the beginning of the year. I can't recommend it enough. Its taught me more about scripture in past seven months than any other reading plan.
The biggest benefits are 1) a lot of time in the Word. Ten chapters a day may seem overwhelming, but if you break it up into 3 parts, its very easy to get through. Spirtually, it keeps me immersed in the life giving Word. 2) since it mixes up scripture, you see connections between Hebrews and Deuteronomy that you'll never see otherwise! Also, reading Job, Eccl and Song of Solomon over and over, keeps a bit of soberness to my faith. 3) Visualization - repeating the same books over and over helps to visualize where certain verse are in your Bible (i use the same Bible for everything now) Its helped me go right to the verse when I need to.
I made some laminated bookmarks if anyone wants some. They help you keep track of where you are in the reading. Let me know if anyone wants me to make copies for them.
1. Are you able to follow through the argument of a particular book? I'd think that being in 10 different books makes it tough to remember how Colossians 3 relates to Colossians 2, etc.
2. Do you experience rich communion with God as you read? So much of my renewal in the Word comes from taking a phrase and pondering it for awhile, journaling about it, praying it back to God, etc.
It seems that the plan encourages you not to do this, since you aren't supposed to stop in your reading and just linger on a sentence, phrase or word and allow it to dwell richly within us.
I don't know how I could find rich fellowship with God while not stopping to dwell on passages and discern how God wants to change me through what I am reading. For instance, I had a moving time this morning in Luke 9 on taking up our cross daily, but it was 10-15 minutes before I began to really experience conviction, God's grace for change, etc.
Good questions. I have to admit I was a bit skeptical at first. The idea of each book is pretty easy to follow, especially since the idea of the plan is to read it over and over several times a year. The more a book is visited, the more familiar I get with the landscape the author is laying out. I also don't mind working on several books at once - as that's pretty much the nature of my job (at work) - a lot of little projects at once.
I also think the goal of this plan is to make scripture reading both daily and integrated into my life. I would compare it similar to having three meals a day. I don't always remember what I've eaten three days ago, let alone today, but I know it nourished me. That's not to say that I don't remember what I read - the strange thing is - I do. What I've read is so fresh in memory (not consciously) but it is always relevant for my daily life. Its there - I just doesn't come to the surface until I need it.
Here's an example. I had a converstation with a few people today. I remembered the verse in conversation "to those who have obtained a faith of equal standing with ours by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ" I was able to remember where that verse was (1 Peter 1) and it was fresh in memory (I read it yesterday). Equal standing with Peter's faith through Christ. Practical application of Word through consistent intake of it's nutrients!
Not to say its the only way to read scripture though. I have times where I "break the rules" and chew on a verse for a while. No harm done. Its a bit different for you as a pastor too, since your job is to expound the Word in a deep fashion. Time doesn't always allow me to do so. I suppose that its a good framework/disipline for me - to use the chunks of time I have to read a chapter of scripture.
Hi Larry -
ReplyDeleteI've been doing this reading plan for since the beginning of the year. I can't recommend it enough. Its taught me more about scripture in past seven months than any other reading plan.
The biggest benefits are 1) a lot of time in the Word. Ten chapters a day may seem overwhelming, but if you break it up into 3 parts, its very easy to get through. Spirtually, it keeps me immersed in the life giving Word. 2) since it mixes up scripture, you see connections between Hebrews and Deuteronomy that you'll never see otherwise! Also, reading Job, Eccl and Song of Solomon over and over, keeps a bit of soberness to my faith. 3) Visualization - repeating the same books over and over helps to visualize where certain verse are in your Bible (i use the same Bible for everything now) Its helped me go right to the verse when I need to.
I made some laminated bookmarks if anyone wants some. They help you keep track of where you are in the reading. Let me know if anyone wants me to make copies for them.
Thanks for posting this!
Matt
Thanks Matt! A few questions:
ReplyDelete1. Are you able to follow through the argument of a particular book? I'd think that being in 10 different books makes it tough to remember how Colossians 3 relates to Colossians 2, etc.
2. Do you experience rich communion with God as you read? So much of my renewal in the Word comes from taking a phrase and pondering it for awhile, journaling about it, praying it back to God, etc.
It seems that the plan encourages you not to do this, since you aren't supposed to stop in your reading and just linger on a sentence, phrase or word and allow it to dwell richly within us.
I don't know how I could find rich fellowship with God while not stopping to dwell on passages and discern how God wants to change me through what I am reading. For instance, I had a moving time this morning in Luke 9 on taking up our cross daily, but it was 10-15 minutes before I began to really experience conviction, God's grace for change, etc.
Let me know your thoughts,
Larry
Good questions. I have to admit I was a bit skeptical at first. The idea of each book is pretty easy to follow, especially since the idea of the plan is to read it over and over several times a year. The more a book is visited, the more familiar I get with the landscape the author is laying out. I also don't mind working on several books at once - as that's pretty much the nature of my job (at work) - a lot of little projects at once.
ReplyDeleteI also think the goal of this plan is to make scripture reading both daily and integrated into my life. I would compare it similar to having three meals a day. I don't always remember what I've eaten three days ago, let alone today, but I know it nourished me. That's not to say that I don't remember what I read - the strange thing is - I do. What I've read is so fresh in memory (not consciously) but it is always relevant for my daily life. Its there - I just doesn't come to the surface until I need it.
Here's an example. I had a converstation with a few people today. I remembered the verse in conversation "to those who have obtained a faith of equal standing with ours by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ" I was able to remember where that verse was (1 Peter 1) and it was fresh in memory (I read it yesterday). Equal standing with Peter's faith through Christ. Practical application of Word through consistent intake of it's nutrients!
Not to say its the only way to read scripture though. I have times where I "break the rules" and chew on a verse for a while. No harm done. Its a bit different for you as a pastor too, since your job is to expound the Word in a deep fashion. Time doesn't always allow me to do so. I suppose that its a good framework/disipline for me - to use the chunks of time I have to read a chapter of scripture.
Hope that helps!
Matt