Daron is my professional coach and a gospel-centered, practical pastor. So, when he puts out an appeal to our church or coaching cohort, I take a second (and third and fourth) look, and I try my best to implement it when possible. His recent “5 Practical Questions to Create Your Bible Reading Plan” would be extremely useful for Mentors helping mentees start new Bible reading habits as they begin the New Year.
Notice, most of all, the gospel freedom that colors his approach. One of my other mentors, Pastor Steve Witte, would often raise a few eyebrows when he told Christians, “You don’t need to read your Bible.” In other words, as far as your salvation goes, God doesn’t love you more when you read your Bible every day, and he doesn’t love you less if your Bible gets a bit dusty during some seasons of life. He didn’t save you because he knew you were going to be a Devotions Hero. He saved you because he loves you, plain and simple. But, when that’s the kind of Father we have, who wouldn’t want to get to know him more? So, consider creating a Bible Reading Plan or helping your mentees do so. Not because we won’t be blessed if we don’t; but because we serve a God who is worth getting to know.
5 Practical Questions to Create Your Bible Reading Plan
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1. Why do I want to create a Bible reading plan?
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Plenty of good reasons can motivate people to read the Bible.
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Am I seeking spiritual growth, deeper Bible knowledge, consistency in practicing my faith, connecting more intimately with Jesus, relief from anxiety, answers and guidance, filling my heart or stimulating my mind?
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Which of these are most important for me right now?
2. How much time can I realistically dedicate, when and how often?
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God doesn’t demand an exact amount of time or time of day. Find what works best.
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When can I unplug from distractions and focus for 10-15 minutes or longer?
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What are the pros and cons of spending just a little time (5-10 minutes) more frequently (every day) OR a little more time (15-20 minutes) less frequently (a few times a week)?
3. Should I read only the Bible, or material that teaches about the Bible?
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The freedom of riding a bike without training wheels takes kids to a new level, learning balance, coordination, adventure and many life skills. Convince yourself to read the Bible on your own without any training wheels. The best books of the Bible for this are the gospels and Acts, Genesis, Psalms, Ephesians, Philippians and Colossians.
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However, a mentor or coach proficient in some material you want to know or lifestyle you pursue can benefit anyone at any level. Find trusted Bible teachers and mentors, and follow them. Dive into resources shared by Pastor Daron or your LifeGroup.
4. How can I stay accountable?
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We’re all human and busy and tend to fall behind. Who can I partner with to share friendly accountability? How do we encourage each other with grace and patience when we miss a few days or even lose interest?
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How do we celebrate milestones together? What does success look like?
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What will we use to track and share our progress (checklist, app, spreadsheet)?
5. How will I apply what I read?
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Build new habits. Put God’s Word into practice. Apply the teachings of Jesus for life change.
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Can I take notes, journal reflections, or memorize key verses?
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How can I incorporate prayer and meditation to deepen my divine encounter in God’s Word?