August 25, 2010
Bible Resources
Posted by Will
Last week we talked about different translations of the Bible. This week’s blog is going to focus on some different daily approaches to reading and reflecting on God’s Word and some resources that can help you do both.
The Message//Remix:Solo is a self-described uncommon devotional. It contains portions of The Message translation of the Bible written by Eugene Peterson, and devotional content written by Jan Johnson, J.R.Briggs, and Katie Peckham. The daily readings give a passage of scripture with reference to its larger context and four short sections designed to help you read, think, pray, and live out the passage. This approach is known as the lectio divina (divine reading) technique and is intended to break through the barriers that present themselves when we immerse ourselves in God’s Word. Since it doesn’t provide the full text of the Bible, a separate full version of the Bible is necessary to have. It doesn’t have to be The Message; choose a translation you are comfortable reading.
While this sort of guided reading through the Bible can be extremely helpful, it is not the only way to engage with God’s Word. Simply reading the Bible on a reading plan and keeping a journal of impactful verses, thoughts, and questions is highly effective in transforming your daily life. There are several Bibles designed to help you read through it in a year. One of the most popular and helpful is The One Year Bible series. One Year Bibles are available in NIV, NLT, and ESV translations in print and several other translations online. One unique feature of the One Year Bible is its daily readings consist of passages from the Old and New Testament, Psalms and Proverbs, so that the reader gets a balance each day. Their website offers daily reading plans that can be printed, so you can use it with the Bible you already own. Reading plans and printed Bibles are also available in chronological form, meaning the daily readings are organized in order the events actually happened, so the reader is able to understand the larger narrative of Scripture. Biblegateway.com also has several reading plans that can be printed or sent to directly to your email. Don’t let the fact that it is August stop you from finding a reading plan that works for you. All of the options listed above make it easy to start no matter what day of the year you decide to begin!
