Just Read It!

Yesterday I shared one of those messages that I wasn't sure how it would fly.
5 ways to NOT read the bible?  Really?!
http://www.connectionschurch.ca/sermons/

Well, it must have hit a chord.
Because we gave out every bible, book, devotional and reading plan at the Information Table!

Few things thrill me more as your pastor than the knowledge that you are reading the bible!  Really.
I know that you can not fully mature as a Christian without becoming a student of His Word.

And if you were in the service you know that you are almost there:
Being a part of a worship service built around the bible is the first third.
Being in a Group that reads and discusses the bible is the second third.

But many people miss the final third.
The one where they take charge of their growth and get on a personal study plan.

I'm no legalist.  There are a lot of way to do this.  But they all share these two traits:
1. Get yourself a bible (I fully switched to the ESV translation in 2010 after flirting with it for years).
2. Get yourself a plan.

So here are some options:
1. Get yourself a bible with a built in plans.  This is great if you want to tackle big chucks of the bible!
2. Or, get yourself a devotional.  Your options here are almost limitless.  We give out the TODAY Devotional at Connections.  It has a reading and commentary for everyday, and comes out every 2 months.  There are other options available, so just ask of you have any questions.
3. Or get online.  Here are two sites worth checking out:

http://www.youversion.com/
This is my "go to" app on my mobile device.  (You can also have readings sent to your email account everyday.)  I recently finished the E100 plan- Awesome!  They have so many options.  Want to read through the bible?  They have a plan.  Want to read through prayers of the bible?  They have a plan! 
I like this because I actually associate my laptop and itouch with work, so reading online actually helps me focus.

http://www.faithcomesbyhearing.com/
This is my other "secret" to bible reading- I don't always read it, I listen to it. 
I have the entire New Testament on my ipod so I can listen to books of the bible whenever I want. 
I run, and listen, and I get totally keyed in.  It's great.

So there you go.  The "secret" to becoming a student of the bible.
1/3 Get to worship.
2/3 Get in a Group.
3/3 Get on a plan!

Go that extra step.  May it personal.  Get on a plan and give God's word about one hour of your week.  10 minutes a day.  Your faith will grow as your relationship with God deepens.