VT Christian Reading Challenge discussion

One of my favorite quotes is "Visit many good books, but live in the Bible." So has anyone else been looking at Bible reading plans as well? What one are you doing? Why? How successful have you been in the past in sticking with it? How do you study the Bible? What works for you, especially with journaling?

I am also trying to decide what plan to use this year. In the past I've often used professor Horner's, and I really love it, although I know a lot of people think it's too much to read. This year is used the reading plan that accompanies the Biblical Theology, God's Glory in Salvation Through Judgment. It's a great book and plan, and I would recommend it. My husband used the chronological plan this past year, and liked it. But we both want to go back to reading plans that have us in the NT and the OT, instead of being in the OT for the first 10 months of the year. I'm glad we did these, but I prefer Professor Horner's, so I'll probably go back to it.

I have heard of Dr Horner's plan but have never attempted it. Why do you enjoy it?

I like the way you read from different section of the Bible every day, and find that I am often surprised at the connections, or themes I see as the plan's seemingly random selections for a day are often just proof that all of the Word is consistent and holds together. You don't get that with reading plans that are more chronological, or just book by book. Also, the plan sounds daunting, but I found that I can easily read way more than I thought I could, and after a few months, 10 chapters a day seemed light and I often read 10 in the morning and 10 at night. When I switched to plans that only have 2-4 chapters per day, it just seems too light now. I think modern readers set the bar way too low. Also, since you just put the markers in and use them, rather than a set reading for each day, I find the plan more flexible. If I have a day that it is impossible to read, I just pick up the following day and wing it when I feel like it to make it up. But most of the time I read more than the 10, so I am technically ahead anyway. Thinking about it, this plan just has me in the whole word daily, and something about it makes me inclined to read more naturally, not just so I can tick off the days reading, which ends up seeming unnatural to me after a while. Also, it's easy to customize. I got tired of reading Acts and proverbs each month, so I just changed to markers and added books I wanted to read more of, like Romans. It's really flexible that way.

May I also suggest Tim Chester's 3-year Bible reading plan. I've tried many annual Bible reading plans before with no avail, but this 3-year plan has helped me tremendously. You can find it here: https://timchester.wordpress.com/2012...

Thanks, Timothy. I really like the looks of that plan.

I liked Professor Horner's plan - I recommend it often to people - but I switched from it because I felt like I was reading to finish and not reading to change. I currently read a chapter in Psalms/Proverbs, a chapter in the OT, and a chapter in the NT. I don't go in any particular order, just listen to the Holy Spirit to lead.

What I tell my students when approaching Bible reading plans is this: don't become legalistic. I encourage people to get a plan that's not attached to a specific day, because if you miss 2 or 3 days in a row [and you're doing a year-long plan], then you feel guilty and there's a ton to read and it's really easy to quit. Instead, just keep moving. Your life is not like someone else's, and while someone may have the structure in their life to schedule 10 chapters or is a fast enough reader that 3 chapters can easily fit into each day, you may not. It's better to be consistent and just read the whole thing than it is to kill yourself just trying to get it done in a year.

For awhile I also read D.A. Carson's "For Love of God", which has a reading plan attached to it. I'd recommend it to anyone who wants to study the Word more but needs more historical context as they read.

The Dr Horner's reading plan looks interesting. I have read the Bible straight through and I have read the Chronological Bible. Also read OT then NT each night reading Psalms daily too. This looks like I will enjoy the back and forth. I just love when the Bible verifies itself so this will be fun. Thanks for the information.

I'm going to do a Gospel Pericope plan I found suggested at aomin.org.

I started the chronological plan last year and it is been the first plan that I have followed through with.

Here is a link that has several types of Bible reading plans:
http://www.ligonier.org/blog/bible-re...

I used Robert Murray M'Cheyne's plan in 2015 with Crossway's ESV Daily Reading Bible:
http://www.wtsbooks.com/esv-bible-dai...

I did M'Cheyne's Bible plan last year with my own Holman Christian Standard Bible and am switching this year to a daily reading ESV BibleESV One Year Bible where everything is dated. (It is less reading than M'Cheye's, too.)

I'm using Cover to Cover (John A. Carroll, @2014, Metokos Press) although I'm not answering his questions, just following his passage breakdown. After I read the passage, I'm jotting down summaries, thoughts and observations. I'm doing this in the morning and it takes 45-60 minutes. Gives me something to ponder all morning long!

About 15 years ago I read (and deeply appreciated) "Cover to Cover." However it was by Selwyn Hughes and Trevor J. Partridge. More recently (7 years ago) I read "Through the Bible Through the Year" by John Stott, which so impressed me that I bought several copies which I have given as gifts.

Echo wrote: "I have heard of Dr Horner's plan but have never attempted it. Why do you enjoy it?"

i tried Dr. Horner's plan about 6 years ago.....i still do it :) i LOVE it. i read through "on schedule" for the most part for the fist "cycle" (almost a full calendar year), but since then, i sometimes only do 5 chaps a day (i've been homeschooling through high school and had a very busy season the last 2 years)... and i do prefer to read through the commentary, jot down notes, make a note card, cross-reference, etc. (this is not recommended to do the req'd 10 chaps each day).... so i do what i can for that specific day and keep going.... i love being in many different parts of the bible at all times and i love when they "connect" and overlap :) my highschooler also started the 2nd year with me and he still prefers this plan :)