As 2021 draws to a close, I look back on this past year of blessings and divine providences with joy in my soul. The time I spent with my family and friends is always a blessing, but there is nothing like spending time with God.
The Bible is absolutely sufficient and is the source of encouragement, wisdom, instruction, and most importantly—the revelation of God to us. As I consider the fact that a large percentage of people have never read the entire Bible, how wonderful would it be to begin a plan that would assist you in reaching a spiritual milestone? Not only would it be a big goal to achieve, it would breathe life into your soul spiritually and help you along life’s journey.
The Reading Plan
There are many different plans out there to help you read through the Bible. The plan that I’m using is the M’Cheyne One-Year Bible reading plan. Robert Murray M’Cheyne (1813–1843) was a pastor of St Peter’s Church Dundee (1836–1843). As a pastor, he emphasized the importance of the sufficiency of God’s Word and put a great deal of emphasis upon the reading holy Scripture. He developed the plan to help his church. M’Cheyne said, “Let God’s voice be the first we hear in the morning.”
M’Cheyne wrote the following to his church:
Those believers will stand firmest who have no dependence upon self or upon creatures, but upon Jehovah our Righteousness. We must be driven more to our Bibles, and to the mercy-seat, if we are to stand in the evil day.
I have grown to appreciate this plan for several reasons. The main reason is that it keeps you in both the Old and New Testament each day which allows you to see the big picture in a more succinct manner as you work along through the text each week. Rather than spending a great portion of 2022 in the Old Testament prior to reaching the New Testament, this plan allows you to ebb and flow through the year which often prevents burnout along the journey.
Let God’s voice be the first we hear in the morning.
Why Read the Entire Bible?
As we spend time in the Scriptures, we come to know God better on a daily basis. The Bible is far more than a list of commands and prohibitions. It’s within the pages of Scripture that we come to see the revelation of God and his character. Think about how you spend time with a close friend and the more time you spend together the better you get to know that individual. This is true of you and a close friend as well as the relationship between spouses. Consider the benefits of spending more time with God on a monthly basis.
Beyond knowing God better, you will come to learn things about yourself, doctrinal truths, and you will be able to apply the verities of Scripture to your life. This discipline of Scripture reading is profitable for doctrine and practical daily living. However, in the process of reading the Bible on a daily basis, you are able to strengthen your discipline which will bring about much fruit in your life. It was Charles Spurgeon who once said:
This weapon is good at all points, good for defense and for attack, to guard our whole person or to strike through the joints and marrow of the foe. Like the seraph’s sword at Eden’s gate, it turns every way. You cannot be in a condition that the Word of God has not provided. The Word has as many faces and eyes as providence itself. You will find it unfailing in all periods of your life, in all circumstances, in all companies, in all trials, and under all difficulties. Were it fallible, it would be useless in emergencies, but its unerring truth renders it precious beyond all price to the soldiers of the cross.1Charles Spurgeon, “Spiritual Warfare in a Believer’s Life” Sermon from Matthew 4:4.
The Plan and How It Works
If you have a smart phone or tablet, you can download the G3 app which will allow you to have the Bible with you at all times as well as the rich content of G3 Ministries. Once you download the app, do two things:
- Make sure to rate the app. We have made extensive upgrades to the app and would like to have you rate the app on the platform.
- Make sure you subscribe to the G3 Bible reading notification group. Click here to learn how.
Once you have the G3 app on your phone, you will see the Bible icon at the bottom of the screen. If you click on it, you will see the Bible appear on your screen with a command bar near the bottom. You can choose what version of Scripture you will be using and follow the “plan” which is a daily digest of Scripture following the M’Cheyne One-Year Bible reading plan.
The Bible is far more than a list of commands and prohibitions. It’s within the pages of Scripture that we come to see the revelation of God and his character.
You can also use the Holy Bible app (YouVersion) if you already use that app on a regular basis. Simply search for the M’Cheyne One-Year Bible reading plan and start it on January 1st. Using an app is much easier than printing out a chart and checking boxes since it’s always with you on your phone.
If you’re like me, you might use your Bible when you can and simply chart your progress through the use of your phone. Either way, it’s a way to stay organized and keep up with your daily readings.
Encouragement and Accountability
As you read through the Bible, send out a message on Twitter or your preferred social media platform that says something like:
“Day one of my 365 day Bible reading plan is complete. Will you join me? Here’s my plan: https://g3min.org/bible-reading-plan-2022/ #G3Bible22”
“I just completed my daily Bible reading. Making spiritual progress in 2022. Here’s my plan: https://g3min.org/bible-reading-plan-2022/ #G3Bible22”
It would be good to encourage your Sunday school class or small group to jump in on this plan too. As we all watch the hashtags, we can easily encourage one another throughout the 2022 year. If you use Instagram, post pics of your Bible reading and include the hashtag #G3Bible22 so that we can follow along with your progress and encourage one another.
May the Lord encourage you and build up your soul as you make spiritual progress in 2022. I look forward to seeing your hashtags and encouraging you along the journey! If you have the G3 app installed, look for messages from Virgil Walker, Scott Aniol, and me through the year as we read the Bible together.
References
| 1 | Charles Spurgeon, “Spiritual Warfare in a Believer’s Life” Sermon from Matthew 4:4. |
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