Many people start the new year by reading the Bible. Most stop by January 12th. What is the reason behind the failure to continue? Most either start out too ambitious by reading too much or start out in Genesis, and the sheer volume of what is in front of them overwhelms them. I want to give you a very simple Bible study system that can be either analog (Paper) or digital. It only takes 10-15 minutes a day, and if carried out over the whole year, will exponentially grow your knowledge of God’s Word.
Start with a good Bible or the Bible app on your phone and either a paper journal or a notes app like Apple Notes or Notion. In that journal, write the date and then Scripture at the top. Then go to Mark chapter one and read the whole chapter. From that chapter, find one verse (you can do a few if you like) that sticks out to you and copy the verse down. Then spend a moment and summarize what that verse is speaking to you. If you don’t understand what it means, I suggest using a study Bible or going to EnduringWord.com, a free online commentary on every chapter of the Bible, and seeing what the commentary says about it.
After you have done that, write the word Prayer in your journal. Then list every prayer request you have. Write down every personal request currently going on in your life, as well as any you know of for family and friends. Writing your request out lets you clarify what the need is. It is also a written form of casting all of your anxieties on Jesus. Scripture tells us His yoke is easy and his burden is light. If you do this for thirty days and then go back and look at them again, you will be amazed at how many of those requests God has answered, and you’ve completely forgotten about.
If you want something more to add to your devotional life, I suggest you grab a paper devotional like the Daily Walk Devotional or subscribe to the many devotionals on the Bible app. These devotionals can minister to your heart through the Holy Spirit. It is amazing how words written years before can speak directly to your situation right now.
Committing to this plan will have you reading 365 chapters of the Bible in a year. That is almost 25% of the Bible. The insight you will gain will change your life. It will help you understand what your pastor is teaching on Sunday mornings. You will have encouragement to fall back on when times get tough. It will also challenge you to grow in areas you didn’t even know existed. Take the plunge this year.
Chuck Musselwhite 
Leave a comment