New Year’s resolutions are kind of a joke! Statistics show that most of these resolutions are broken in the first 3 weeks after the new year. I cannot remember anyone I know of actually keeping one. Why do people make New Year’s resolutions? Because everyone realizes that life in a fallen world is constantly changing and there is need for continual improvement. 

While the New Year’s resolution process is kind of a worldly “let’s get our act together” scenario, there is one thing you should commit to doing and you don’t have to wait until New Year’s. That resolution/commitment is to read the Bible daily. Whether you are a seasoned Christian or a new believer, God’s Word has something your soul needs daily. I think we would be shocked if we polled our Protestant congregations and asked “how many of you read the Bible daily?” Amazingly, for a group that is committed to the authority of Scripture alone, so few seem to be interested in actually reading it. 

Here are a few very practical things I would encourage you to do in developing a Bible reading plan: 

First, commit to reading the Bible. While this may seem very self-evident, you must commit or else you will have a wishy-washy hit and miss (probably more miss) relationship with reading the Bible. So, first things first, commit to reading and choose a time each day morning or evening to read. Also, choose the amount of time you will read. This is equally important because you may read for an hour one day and not be able to do that the next. This type of reading leads to inconsistency. Commit to 20 minutes, 30 minutes or whatever you can do daily. Once you choose a time, place, and timeframe, fight to keep that time and put your cell phone away. I would encourage you to use a paper Bible and not a phone because we are so easily distracted with these devices. 

Second, have a plan for reading. I read many years ago, “he who aims at nothing hits the target every time.” No truer statement can be uttered. Do not just allow the Bible to fall open in a specific spot and mystically put your finger on a verse. That is trivial and not a serious study. Have a plan in your reading. 

Generally, I discourage the practice of trying to read through the Bible in a year. While I think it is a good goal to keep, it often becomes more of a rote “I have to get my chapters in” rather than seeking to be fed from God’s word. Also, it can generate pride and become a moniker of self-righteousness as to how many times we have read through the Bible. As Christians, we should ultimately read through the Bible, cover to cover, many times in our lives. But to make it the test of spiritual maturity annually is a mistake. So when I say plan, I don’t mean you are trying necessarily read through the whole Bible. 

I think you are wise in knowing yourself, knowing your ability to comprehend, and seeking to grow at it. So, by having a plan, I would recommend reading one chapter in the New Testament and one in the Old testament daily. You could read a chapter in the New, and one in Proverbs if you are very new to Christianity. But most importantly, make a plan of how much you want to read and stick with it. 

Third, journal as you read. This is helpful because as your pen moves, so does your brain. As you see something impactful in the Scripture, write it down. Write out how this will apply to your life and how this will make you grow closer to and more like Christ. More than that, find Christ in the Scriptures. 

Also- write all the chapters you read in your journal. This does two things. It shows you the progress you have made in a year, plus it keeps you accountable. If you miss 3-4 days, you can see it in your journal when you pick it up. It reminds you to get yourself in gear! Journaling is so key and so helpful to your sticking with your plan. 

Fourth, get a study Bible. Most Christians have not been to Bible college or seminary and that’s ok. It’s not even advisable that everyone go to such an institution. But with this lack of training, you may struggle to know what a given passage is talking about. The invention of the study Bible is basically like having a seminary in one volume. Here are three I would recommend, and I will express some weakness in each. 

1. The MacArthur Study Bible. John MacArthur has been a faithful pastor and Bible expositor for over 50 years. His study Bible is detailed and thorough. Rarely is there a verse skipped. The study Bible has theological articles and helpful maps in the back. This tool will help most Christians. Although, I would disagree with the emphasis on dispensationalism and an overly-literal reading of the Bible.
   
2. The Reformation Study Bible. This study Bible is the handiwork of RC Sproul and a faithful team of Bible teachers. Again, the notes are thorough, helpful, and in the back many of the confessions of faith and creeds of the church are given. I do not agree with its stance on infant baptism but “eat the meat and spit out the bones.” 
3. The Gospel Transformation Study Bible. This Bible takes sections and chapters and seeks to highlight the gospel in every passage. That is how Jesus taught us to interpret the Bible and this tool helps us do that. The weakness with this study Bible is it is not thorough in note explanations. 

The final thing I would say to encourage you to read the Bible is find an accountability partner. This is important for your Christian life in general as you fight sin and live for Christ, but it is good to have in reading the Bible as well. I have tried this in groups and one-on-one, and the one-on-one approach is better. If you commit to keeping someone accountable, then keep your commitment. Otherwise, we are making each other feel we are better off than we really are. If you find the other person is not committed, graciously back away and find someone who is! 

I hope this has helped you and more than anything you will seek the riches of Christ in the Scriptures this upcoming year. May you grow in grace and in your knowledge of God. 

Soli Deo Gloria