I'm not a Fan "Bible in a Year" Reading Plans... Here's Why
But I'm happy for you if you like them!
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I was originally going to share an update on my D.Min. project “Empowered Faith” but as I was sitting with my spiritual director, and processing something else that came out of my week-long residency, I decided that perhaps it can wait until next week.
First, a few disclaimers.
Have I read the whole Bible? Yes.
Have I read it in a year? I have no idea.
Have I attempted a “Bible in a Year” reading plan? Yes, I got to July.
Yeah, that means I made it through Leviticus and Deuteronomy. I know! It shocks me too!
Am I currently part of a message group in my church that is reading the Bible in a Year?
Yes, we started back in October, and I’ve been abysmal at it but I’ve enjoyed it when I make time to read and reflect.
So, why am I not a fan of “Bible in a Year” reading plans? There’s actually a few reasons. You’re welcome to disagree with me, these are only my opinions. Let’s dive in!
1. It’s Informational… Not Formational
If you check out the book The Other Half of Church by Jim Wilder and Michel Hendricks, you learn a bit about how our society functions a lot based on logic. It’s logical to sit in rows with one person standing at the front speaking at us. It’s logical to create a plan so we can achieve success in our goals. It’s logical, but it’s not particularly relational. We’re information gatherers. To engage formation, instead of gaining information, means tapping into the relational right-side of our brain.
Information is having a verse or passage stick out to you while you’re reading, and tucking it away for later. Formation is mulling it over, reflecting on why it jumped out at you. What does it make you feel? How do you feel it? What do you associate it with? What is it telling you about yourself? What is the invitation?
It’s hard to do all of that when you’re reading whole chapters (and a Psalm) in one sitting. I’m not saying it’s impossible, it’s just more difficult.
Wondering what my other reasons are, and what some alternatives might be?
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