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February 01, 2006
3.57
"Although the typical believer contends that the Bible is accurate in what it teaches, he or she spends less time reading the Bible in a year than watching television, listening to music, reading other books and publications, or conversing about personal hobbies and leisure interests."
Revolution pp.33
Interesting quote from the book Revolution.
Tonight I challenged my college group to read the whole Bible, from cover to cover:
1189 chapters in the Bible
333 days left in the year
3.57 chapters a day to complete it
I have been really amazed over the last month of just how transformative the word of God is. Should seem obvious, right. But I think we rarely realize just how transformative it is from straight reading. We often feel like if we are not studying the passage, or exegeting it, or preaching it, etc, etc.....then we wonder if it really has any affect upon us.
But what I am finding these days is what happens when one just reads the word of God. I encouraged my students to take up this challenge for one main reason. Not so that they can check off one more spiritual task, or so they can add another accomplishment to their spiritual star chart.....but so they can have a relationship with Jesus Christ. When we read the word of God we are interacting in a very relational way with Jesus Christ through the work of the Holy Spirit in this process.
I also encouraged them to not go about this in a legalistic way...if they miss a day here and there, well then, they miss a day. There will be ups and downs. I also reminded them that this will require a lot of discipline, but they will find within the first month or two that the discipline, though still there, will give way to joy and pleasure, and the anticipation of wanting to read God's word each day. They will soon find that their day does not begin on the right foot if it hasn't begun in God's word. They will soon find that they can't go to bed at night, and their day will seem incomplete, unless they have spent time in it.
3.57....that is all it takes.
I am finding now that 3.57 is not enough for me. I want to read and read, but then I realize I have to get to work and go about other things in my life as well.
And if you are having trouble getting started, well Bible in a Year will help you out, and will mail out your passages to you each day.
Posted by rhett at February 1, 2006 11:51 PM
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Comments
Hey, NIV just put out a Read the Bible in 90 Days and I have found it to be really good. They do twelve pages in a day. Check it out.
Ben
Posted by: Ben Lemery at February 2, 2006 06:51 AM
its ironic that the Bible has parts that are really exciting and parts that well, are HARD to trudge through. I think reading the Bible in a year becomes the same battle we face every day. Wow, what to do when things get confusing, boring, and less exciting. Well, stop reading and grab some Dan Brown. Ah, such is life, when we hit parts were we are to practice discipline, when we hit parts that are not sensational, we have the tendency (me, the worst) to set God down and go for something to fill the gap. When that disappoints, we go BACK to God, where we realize how Big and Good and Loving he is, its exciting again, until it isnt. repreat cycle, until we can understand that the wilderness, the desert, and our time with God duing THAT time grows us tremendously into something more like a disciple. hmm
Posted by: Michael Trozzo at February 2, 2006 10:10 AM
I started the One Year Bible on Jan 1, but only mentioned it to the collegians I teach. This past Tuesday one of the students was leading bible study and mentioned how very sad it is that we find time for all sorts of things, but do not find time to read the bible. So, between her challenge and your challenge here, I think next Tuesday I'll make the challenge. I know that, for me, just reading it in the morning and pondering for a few minutes has made a difference in how I live my days.
Thanks.
Posted by: Laura at February 2, 2006 11:51 AM
I agree that straight reading is often overlooked. And I admire you for putting that challenge out to your college students.
In our youth ministry we've seen a recent upswing in teenagers hungering to read the scriptures. We're just catching that wave and encouraging them.
I like the 3.57 hook though. I might have to do something with that...
Posted by: clave at February 2, 2006 12:22 PM
good challenge. i bet the same could be said for seminary students and most clergy as well. i was just thinking that i need to be reading more... make that some (which at this point would be more anyway). i think i'll take you up on your challenge...
and yes, i'm typing sans capitals because i'm using one hand and holding my son with the other right now.
Posted by: Don at February 2, 2006 03:15 PM
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