Read The Bible In 2021

“Nobody ever outgrows Scripture; the book widens and deepens with our years.” -Charles Spurgeon

The Bibles we have in our homes and hold in our hands are nothing less than divinely-inspired, revelations of God. Every story, every Psalm, every historic event, law and prophetic word join together to paint one picture of the God who set the world in motion and orchestrated this present reality. But while we know some of the more famous verses and stories, we should not miss the opportunity to read this mysteriously living and active revelation of God in its entirety. Is 2021 the year you read the bible from cover to cover? 

You have your favorite parts of the Bible. We all do. The Gospels teach us about Jesus, Paul’s epistles deepen our theological understanding, and the historical books provide insight into the lives of real people as they followed God. But other parts of the Bible are important. When we read the Bible in a year, it naturally takes us to the places we may not usually go, allowing us opportunities to reflect upon the full counsel of God. Reading the Bible cover to cover also enables us to see the big picture of redemptive history. 

Taking a year to read the Bible in its entirety allows us the opportunity to see the big picture, the full story. We see the larger story of creation, fall, and redemption develop in all the stories and context of the complete Bible. It enables us to connect what we learned in Genesis with what we learn in the book of Revelation. You will glean insights that you might have missed without the full story.  You will learn some new and unexpected things about God. 

Regardless of what season of life you are in, there is still so much to learn about God. Reading the Bible reminds me that my knowledge of God is insufficient and can always be improved. Reading the Bible completely forces us to reflect upon all aspects of God’s character and allows us to know Him in new ways.  

Reading the Bible cover to cover enables you to experience the gospel in a new way. God will meet you each and every time you read through the Bible in a year. Some days, the Psalm for that day helped me to pray for a friend in need. Other days, the passage convicted me of sin and led me to repentance. The Lord will meet you in surprising ways as you place yourself in His word.

One of the best things about reading the Bible through in a year is that it builds a regular habit of daily Bible reading. Having a certain amount apportioned for the day makes it easier to pick it up and read. Following a yearly plan also acts as a built in accountability marker. If you have never read the Bible through, let me challenge you to make 2021 your year. There are many great resources to help you out.

Discussion Question:

1. So what is keeping you from committing to a Bible plan in 2021?