I know it happens. You say, “I’m going to read the Bible this year,” and you mean it. Maybe you mean MORE than what you read last year, or maybe you mean the WHOLE Bible. Either way, it doesn’t take long to realize how in over your head you are. Miss a day, and it seems like you’ve got 23 chapters to make up.

For 2020, things could be different. Allow me to put three tools in your hands.

The 5 Day Bible Reading Plan
You can download a free PDF of the plan right here: biblereadingschedule2020. It’s a simple, front and back sheet of paper. Put it in your Bible or on your fridge. I stumbled across this plan a few days ago, and it’s amazingly simple.

First, the readings are in chronological order – for the most part. There are a couple of exceptions but nothing major. Plus the Psalms are interspersed in the readings when we think they were written. So as you are reading through the life of David, you’ll get to read the Psalms he wrote during that time of his life.

Second, it’s a 5-day plan, not a 7-day plan. That’s right – you get two days to catch up on what you missed or to read something else. It’s a plan with MARGIN in it. How awesome is that? If you miss a day, you’re not behind 23 chapters.

Journal – Online or Analog
If you have a phone, you’ve got a note app on it. Start using it. Write down questions, observations, insights you get while reading the Bible. Doesn’t have to be eloquent. Doesn’t have to be polished or presentable to the public. You could go old school – actually get a pen and paper. That doesn’t really matter either. What does matter is that you INTERACT with God’s Word, not just read it. Pray through it, argue with it, ask questions of it, discuss it.

Connect Group or Read Group
This last tool is super important. It’s also the hardest one to start. Get involved in a small group that is reading the Scriptures with you. It allows you to share your notes (see above). It will help answer questions, see another perspective, grow deeper, get smarter, apply it better.

We’ve got plenty of places you can find a group. Starting Point will kick off on January 13th during LEAD Night. You can find an existing Connect Group. Join our men on Wednesday mornings. Find a women’s Bible study. You could find a couple of other friends to grab a coffee, breakfast, or lunch during the week to do this together.

These three tools – reading the Word, engaging the Word, unpacking the Word in community – used in conjunction with each other are a powerful strategy for spiritual growth. I’ve grown the most when these three tools are clicking with each other. When these three are running together, it pushes me to serve, to apply God’s word, to not give up when I fail. I don’t get as discouraged when times get tough.

Is it possible to do one or two of these without the other? Yes, but your mileage is going to be greatly reduced. You’re just not going to get the most out of it as you could. You’ll miss some things. Perhaps a lot of things. It’s possible you’ll misinterpret or misapply the scriptures. You’ll get discouraged. It will be easier to quit.

What we want – or should want – is spiritual transformation. I want to be changed to look more like Jesus. That’s what these three tools working together do best.