Hebrews 4:12 – Through the Bible in a Year

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12 ESV)

Many of us have either begun, or considered beginning a, “Read the Bible in a Year,” plan. I highly encourage this. I’ve done a couple in the past, but usually, I just read and study based on what’s happening in my life. There’s nothing wrong with that, but this year, I’m making a change.

Why? Well I’m glad you asked.

For starters, when we read and study the Bible based solely on our individual situations, the redemptive Story of God can take a back seat. So rather than seeing God’s faithfulness to people like Esther, Nehemiah, and Paul, we’re digging for, “How to overcome _____ (fill in the blank).” We run the risk of tunnel vision, locking our relationship with God into something with us at the center.

However, when we move through the Bible, whether chronologically or straight from Genesis to Revelation, we will see God’s character in every situation known to man. The Bible doesn’t censor, it leaves in the dirty details and the rough stuff, and displays both how God meets us with grace, yet remains holy. More than that, Scripture gets us.

It reads us when we read it. What does this mean? This means that we will be challenged, rebuked, and affirmed in every area of life, whether we were expecting it or not. It knows our hearts, even when we don’t (Jeremiah 17:9).

This year, join me in reading through the Bible, and be changed by submitting to God’s word.

Need help finding a yearly plan? Here’s what I’m doing:

I’m using the ESV’s website (www.esvbible.org), and the M’Cheyne One-Year Reading Plan. They also have chronological and straight Genesis to Revelation plans. Whatever you choose, let me know in the comments!