“We love it!”, “I have read the Bible a lot but this is first time I have read the New Testament all the way through!”, “I have never been this consistent in reading the Bible”, “I feel like the structure has been great for helping me stay disciplined this summer”, “The accountability is great!”.
These are a few comments people have said about our church-wide Bible Reading Plan! Personally, I have enjoyed the camaraderie of reading the same passages each day, knowing that many in our church family are as well. Talking about these passages and holding each other accountable in my Multiplier Group is icing on the cake (shameless plug for Multiplier Groups!).
As we transition from the sporadic and spontaneous nature of summer to the school year many have one word in mind; consistency. Summer is a great time to reset. The fall is a great time to reestablish healthy and consistent rhythms. Whether it’s eating dinner as a family, finding consistent bed times, or solidifying daily routines, it all finds a new rhythm in the fall.
Speaking of rhythms. How would you characterize your current Bible study rhythm? Consistent? Inconsistent? Nonexistent? This is the perfect time to establish a Bible study rhythm. It’s never too late to pick up a good habit! Currently, our Reading Plan format is to read 1 chapter a day for 5 days a week. That gives you 2 days to catch up in case you miss a day or two. Included in our Reading Plan is our monthly memory verse. These verses are simple, practical, and timely as you hide God’s Word in your heart, it will come in handy time and time again. This year we are reading through the New Testament (Spoiler alert: we are reading through the Old Testament next year.). You can find our Reading Plan on the free CrossPoint App or pick up a physical copy at your local Connect Center.
With any good plan it’s helpful to have some tips. Here are a few:
#1 Find your people. Consider reading with a friend, spouse, kids, or another accountability partner. This will help you stay on track and might be the jump start they need as well!
#2 Pick a place/time. Consistency starts with the details. Find a place that you can focus for a few minutes each day. Avoid areas that are too comfy, high traffic, or hard to access. Pick a time. If you don’t pick a specific time you might struggle to push off your time with the Lord until the end of the day. This makes the gift of devotion feel like a weight on your shoulders. Avoid this by knowing when and where you will study the Word.
#3 Embrace Discipline & Give Grace. We have all been there before. The land of good intentions is filled with a lack of discipline. Whether it’s our diet, exercise, or let’s be honest ANY area of life that requires discipline, we have all fallen short. It’s okay. It’s going to happen. Give yourself grace. Your devotional life is not pass/fail. It’s not a report card. It’s not a box to check on a to-do list. It’s a blessing. It’s an opportunity to rest in Jesus. God knows you aren’t perfect. That’s exactly why He gives us His perfect grace. Enjoy it because we all need it!
As you commit yourself to the Lord, just watch and see what He will do. This fall has the potential to be the best one yet!