REading the bible in 2025

The truth of scripture is a precious gift to the Christian.

In it, we see the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. In it, we discover wisdom, truth, light, and life. In it, we learn the history of the world, where things went wrong, and what God is doing to set it right. The bible tells us the end of the story, offering hope, instilling awe, and giving needed perspective. It teaches us how to be disciples, how to be husbands, wives, fathers, mothers, church members, and neighbors. It guards us from error, and directs us in the path we should go. It strengthens our faith, gives us hope, comfort, and joy.

So, will you read the bible in 2025? You may feel overwhelmed by this task. But in light of what God’s word is, in light of what it does, in light of our great need, can you really afford not to? Be encouraged, the average person can read through the whole bible in a year by reading twelve minutes per day. Twelve minutes! You CAN read God’s word! It is our hope, as pastors, that you will make the reading of scripture a priority this year. Below are some resources to help you map out a plan (in no particular order):

• Five Day Reading Plan - This plan gives you two days per week to catch up or do other studies. Five days a week you read selections from the Old Testament, New Testament, and Psalms.

• M’cheyne Daily Bible Reading Plan - This plan (developed by the 19th century Scottish minister, Robert Murray M’Cheyne) takes you through the OT once and the NT and Psalms twice in one year.

• Navigators 5x5x5 Plan - This plan has you read from four different sections at once,

• 52 Week Plan - This unique plan takes you through different genres each day of the week. Epistles on Sunday, the Law on Monday, History on Tuesday, Psalms on Wednesday, etc.

• Chronological Reading Plan - Since our English bibles are not in exact chronological order, this plan makes some slight adjustments so you can read the bible as it unfolded in real time and history.

• Journey Through The Bible - This is a reading program developed by Countryside Church. They have regular checkpoints, video overviews of each book, and have provided a great way to stick with it throughout the year.

• Or … simply grab your bible, use a bookmark, and read!

You don’t have to do it perfectly. Or even in 365 days exactly. But there is no substitute for engaging with God in his word! So, read it regularly. Read it humbly. Read it prayerfully. Read it thankfully. Read it with the goal of understanding who God is. Read it with the goal of growing in wisdom. Read it with the goal of personal transformation. Read it with the goal of grasping the big picture. Read it with a fresh appreciation for the details. Read it with others. Read, and rejoice in the great treasure God has given us!