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bible reading plan 2021



Bible reading in 2021

"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." (Psalm 119:105)

"If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." (John 8:31-32) 

"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly..." (Colossians 3:16)

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I hope you will join me again in 2021 for daily Bible reading! 

THE PLAN I followed this past year was the M'Cheyne Bible reading schedule, designed by Robert Murray M'Cheyne (1813--1843), a remarkable young Scottish pastor two centuries ago. Reading about four chapters each day, two in the morning and two in the evening, a person can read through the Old Testament once and the New Testament and Psalms twice in the year. Learn more about that plan here.

THE SECOND YEAR. That reading plan can also be adapted to a two-year schedule that covers the morning passages one year and the evening passages the next. For example, this year (2020), reading about two chapters a day, we read all of the NT and Psalms and one-half of the Old Testament (Genesis to 2 Chronicles). This year (2021) we'll read the NT and Psalms again, and the other half of the Old Testament (Ezra to Malachi). This amounts to reading about two chapters a day, which is a bit slower in pace, but for me it seems less hurried. Here's the link to a PDF of the two-year plan as arranged by D. A. Carson. I will be reading the schedule on the second page, beginning with Ezra and Acts. 

POSTING. About three times a week I plan to post a few comments on what we're reading. For many years I met with people at church and in coffee shops and, as we studied the Word, we'd seek to answer questions like, "Why did God include this chapter in holy Scripture? Why is it important? What do I do with this?" I would also recommend you bookmark the NET bible, with helpful notes by Thomas Constable, one of my former professors in seminary. As well, The Gospel Coalition has a Read the Bible newsletter that follows the M'Cheyne plan. D. A. Carson wrote the excellent notes included in that newsletter. And finally, the content of my blog is also available via Buttondown subscription here.  

May we all be faithful to read, study, and abide in God's Word in 2021! 

Sandy


Image credit: photo above by Aaron Burden on Unsplash. Scripture quotations, unless otherwise noted, are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. 

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