How’s Your Bible Reading This Year?
No, my question isn’t meant to guilt you. Like many, I have attempted to read through the Bible each year and found myself behind schedule. Due to my own failure, some years I switch to different reading plans; other years I sped up my reading plan. Despite the differences, I’ve found one thing that works each year.
Each year I read through “The Story” by Max Lucado and Randy Fraizer Since there are only 30 chapters in the book, my approach is to read just one chapter a day.[1] That means within one month I have read through the overall narrative of the Bible, which becomes a foundation for me to read the rest of scripture throughout the year.
If you choose to follow my lead, know that this book is uniquely complied by Lucado and Frazier. Both authors have compiled significant sections in the New International Version (NIV) of the Bible to allow scripture to read in narrative form. Yes, parts are withheld from this compilation, but they are removed to facilitate the overall redemptive story of scripture. In between these gaps, Lucado and Frazier write transitional synopsis’ to guide the reader into the next portion of the larger narrative.
Technically, Lucado and Fraizer’s approach promotes Biblical Theology, which focuses on the redemptive story in the Bible. Both authors communicate this redemptive tale with great care through the scripture passages they include. As a result, anyone is able to read The Story and see how scripture points towards Christ being the fulfillment of redemption: A fulfillment that puts Abraham, Moses, The Law, Joshua, the Judges, Ruth, the Kings, Major and Minor Prophecy, and more into a redemptive context. A context that requires one to read the entire Bible, even the passages left out, to then realize scripture’s deeper redemptive narrative.
As I stated earlier, “it becomes a foundation for me to read the rest of scripture throughout the year.”
My emphasis on The Story being a foundation is important because the book should not replace, but supplement your Bible reading for the year. Nor do I think Lucado and Fraizer would agree. In fact, they provide scripture references in the back of The Story for one to read further. So while you can read one chapter a day of The Story and understand the overall narrative of scripture in 30 days. However, there is more to the Bible than just the 30 sections found in Lucado and Fraizer’s summary. Instead, time should be given to consume the rest of scripture beyond what’s included into The Story.
Now, I won’t suggest to you how you should meditate on scripture beyond The Story, but I will share what I have done.
In past years I have followed up The Story with a 365-day plan or a 90 day read through the Bible plan. Other years I have journaled through passages within scripture. Each year I pray over the New Testament as I read through it. In previous occupations, I traveled a lot, making audio Bibles a useful tool to consume all of scripture. There is also the ability to refer to the back of the book for further scripture reading.
No matter your approach, should you choose to read through The Story each year. I suggest that you have a follow-up plan. You don’t have to use the same approach every year, but as the Old Testament often reminds, it is important to meditate on scripture, “day and night.”[2]
Never will I legalistically suggest that you have to read The Story or any other Bible reading plan. Instead, I share the book because it’s an accessible tool to digest scripture. If reading the book works for you, great. If not, do not worry. Either way, freely consider The Story as part of your yearly Bible reading. Doing so, I believe it will provide a foundation that will launch you into reading more scripture than less. If so, imagine the intimacy in the Lord that will come from knowing His words to us better! That alone is worth its consideration.
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[1] **Recommendation of The Story by Max Lucado is not an official advertisement or commercial. I do not get any monetary benefit from promoting the book.**
[2] Joshual 1:8, Psalm 1:2 among others.
