Three years ago I took a challenge from someone I know to journal through the entire Bible. I have read through the entire Bible more times than I can count and journalled through large chunks of scripture using various reading plans. I can say that I have now completed that challenge. I will first share the mechanics of that challenge and then some of the insights I have gained; finally make suggestions moving forward for engaging God through His Word daily.
I had been developing a Bible reading plan to engage children in the Word of God on a regular basis. This does not just mean reading passages here and there, but actually interacting with scripture and the God of this scripture. I have felt for some time that if a person is to have a meaningful walk with the Lord one must do more than simply read some assigned chapters from a Bible on a regular basis. This means reading on a much deeper level to think about what it says, what it really says and apply meaning to scripture in one's own life.
Whie I was still serving in the Philippines, I felt challenged by the Lord to not just tell kids to read their Bible, but actually teach them how to read their Bibles. This is no small task as the Bible is not just a large book but a unique one as well. The Bible should not be a book that we approach like other books and start at page one reading through to the end. A Genesis through Revelation approach is in all honesty not an effective approach for many reasons which I will address in other blogs.
Trial and error became my companion along with the Holy Spirit who helps us understand things we do not otherwise know. “But God has revealed it to us by His Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God (1 Corinthians 2:10)”. In this process I have woven the New Testament and Old Testament together going back and forth between the two parts of the Bible. They are after all dependent upon one another. So as not to lose any of the precious insights for the purpose of journaling through scripture it is always only one chapter per day, one book of the Bible at a time.
I have drawn some general conclusions from this process, a chapter a day every day with enough time to ponder what it really says and write about it is transformational. I know that I have a closer walk with Jesus than I did before. This was not an easy three years of my life; there were plenty of trials during these years. I know that the Lord takes care of those who trust in Him like no other. Scripture testifies to this, but I have experienced it as well.
Every chapter of scripture will not excite and bring deep revelations. There are chapters that are simply not the meat or even milk we desire to engage with. There are a few chapters that I have had nothing to really write about and on those few days I will write that I read it and keep record. Having said this, there is, however, no book that does not have gems worth mining out. There are treasures to be found in a chapter by chapter approach to journaling.
Finally what do we do if we have gone through every chapter of scripture and journalled through it all? It is hard for me to make an emphatic statement here. Maybe the children's reading plan has the meat we need for ongoing spiritual growth and connection to the Lord. Or pick a reading plan that you resonate with and keep reading and rereading scripture. Engage with it in a manner that helps you remember and live what you have read. My plan is to go back to the children’s journaling plan and share the journey through scripture with others.
Rich new challenge!