Covenant Church: 2023 Bible Reading
Dear Covenant Church,
It's a great joy for me to enter into a new year with you as we have so many exciting opportunities for Covenant Church and our Los Angeles area - especially as we plan a launch of public worship on April 9, 2023.
In this new year, it would be to our great benefit to focus our attention on the Written Word of God, and prayer.
In 2023, let's strive together as individuals to either listen to or read the entire Bible. And before and after reading, to spend time in prayer.
It's not necessary (or recommended!) to read the Bible straight through from Genesis to Revelation. Instead, it's usually best to mix and match book, genre, and chapters. You'll find, by reading in a variety of places in the Scriptures, how the verses complement and build upon one another.
To help you complete a Bible-in-a-Year goal, I've created a Google Doc that has each book of the Bible and chapter number in a checklist that you can print and tape to your fridge or stick in your bag. Or you can make a digital copy and check off each chapter online. The printable includes lines after each chapter for writing the date completed or notes.
If using the online / phone version, make a copy in Google Docs and then add a shortcut to the home screen of your phone for easy access and reminders.
Printable:
Online / Phone: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1bBqXSBiWrnnNRoUNB32iWI0mQrlHveRmR1AZGtuULKU/edit?usp=sharing
If you're interested in my progress, I'll be tracking that here. I'm planning on starting in John's gospel and then reading 1 & 2 Corinthians, and then through the minor prophets. Not sure where I'll go in the Scriptures from there.
Brooks's reading: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1f1aVC8wXysaUthSxnmHtM87z4UEdLL0YIy4c63wC4KY/edit?usp=sharing
There are a variety of wonderful plans for reading the Bible in a year that you may find helpful and fun. These plans can be used in conjunction with the checklist documents above. I'll include links to some recommended plans below.
Whichever plan you choose, please stick with it! Perserverence will be key in this. And keep a notebook close at hand to write down questions that come up as you read. Bring those questions to our Sunday evening meetings!
M'Cheyne Bible Reading Plan
Probably the most popular Bible in a year plan. Developed by Robert Murray M'Cheyne, the famous minister and missionary. Four chapters per day, seven days / week, OT once and NT / Psalms twice. Below is a PDF retrieved from ESV.org.
Five Day Bible Reading Plan
Read through the whole Bible on a five-day schedule instead of a seven day. Gives some wiggle room if you can't complete a full day's readings as you'll have the weekends to get caught up. PDF retrieved from fivedaybiblereading.com
The Psalms–Ezekiel Bible Reading Plan
Read through the Old Testament and New Testament once with this plan. It's called Psalms-Ezekiel because you'll read through the Psalms and Ezekiel alongside Old Testament readings before starting in on New Testament readings. More information can be found here: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/schedule-bible-year-rookies/
Downloadable PDF of this plan is available here:
Please let me know...
Please let me know if you're planning to read the Bible this year by texting me at 818-237-4251 so I can pray for you and encourage you along the way.
I pray now that God works in and through you this year in a wonderful way.
-Pastor Brooks
P.S., If you'd like to listen to the Bible being read, a tremendous resource is the ESV Bible app. It's free and has two fantastic voice options to choose from. I'm planning to do another post on Bible versions very soon - but the ESV and the ESV app are well worth your time.
iPhone link:
Android link:
