As we are only a few days into the New Year, one of the encouragements that I’d give is to make an intentional plan to read the Scriptures in 2023. There are a number of ways to grow in the Lord, including fellowship, prayer, and service, but the foundation of all of these is to know and act upon what the Lord has said. As Christians, we are bombared with all manner of ideas and opinions each and every day, how much more important is it that we hear from the Lord?
Each year, FEFC has a Bible reading plan that is intended to get us into the Scriptures in a way that is both managable and deep. Typically, this equates to reading about one chapter each day. For 2023, we’ve also incorporated days of rest and reflection (or for catching up, if you get behind). You can download an electronic copy of our 2023 plan here:
As much as I think our format will be helpful for seeing the sweep of God’s plan for the ages, I recognize that a different reading plan might fit your situation better. If you are in that boat, consider the excellent plans available from Ligonier or Crossway.
Overall, keep the main point in mind: it is to grow in your understanding of the Lord, yourself, and what Christ has done and now calls you to. While reading the Scriptures is a discipline and a habit to grow in, it should also be more than duty or routine: pray and ask the Lord to make it a genuine joy in your life, a daily feast that you can’t wait to get to. I’m confident you’ll find that He loves to answer prayers like that!
