Come Into The Word with Sarah Christmyer | Bible Study | Lectio Divina | Journals | Retreat

  • About
  • Blog
    • Scripture Reflection
    • Prayer & Lectio Divina
    • Bible Reading & Study
    • Holidays and Holy Days
    • Discipleship
    • Women of the Bible
  • Resources
    • New Release
    • Books & Journals
    • Bible Studies
    • How-tos & Reading Plans
  • Speaking
    • Speaking Topics
    • Schedule
    • Testimonials
    • Reviews & Interviews
    • Past Events
  • Contact

START THE NEW YEAR RIGHT: BUILD A BIBLE READING HABIT

December 31, 2019 By Sarah Christmyer 2 Comments

How would your life be different if you read the Bible every day — or if you turned to it as often as you do your smartphone?

Pope Francis asked that question and had this to say:

“If we had the Word of God always in the heart, no temptation would be able to estrange us from God  and no obstacle would be able to make us deviate from the path of goodness; we would be able to overcome the daily suggestions of evil that are in us and outside of us; we would be more capable of living a resurrected life according to the Spirit, receiving and loving our brothers … and also our enemies” (3/6/17 Angelus address in St Peter’s Square).

"Consult the Bible as often as your cellphone" - Pope Francis

 

Maybe it’s too much to expect, that we check our Bibles as often as we check our cellphones. But think of the strength and confidence we might gain by reading a little bit every day! I mean really reading it. Taking a small piece and thinking, meditating, “chewing” on it until it takes up residence in our mind and heart. Because once that happens, the word of God takes on a life of its own and starts to change us.

Resolve to read the Bible daily in 2020

That’s why in 2020, I plan to read the Bible every day. Will you join me? It doesn’t have to be hard. Here are some ideas if you don’t know where to start:

  • Grab a lectionary (or go to the USCCB website) and read the day’s gospel reading every day for a year.
  • Read a Psalm a day. When you’re done, start back at the beginning.  After that, zero in on your favorites.  Or get familiar with praying the Liturgy of the Hours.
  • Start with Matthew 1 and make your way through the New Testament. Take your time, even if it’s just a few sentences a day.  Let it soak in.  Listen and pray with it.
  • I once spent an entire school year reading a chapter of Proverbs a day. There are 31 chapters, so it’s easy to match the chapter to the day of the month.
  • Don’t be afraid to repeat something good over and over. You might even memorize a book that way, without trying.  Think what God could do in your soul with that level of saturation….
  • Start the year out with the Bible Timeline 90-day reading plan. It’ll take you through the entire biblical narrative (14 books that tell the overall story) in three months. When you’re done, go back and spend leisurely, prayerful time in the books that spoke the most to you.
  • Read through that same set of Bible Timeline readings in a year instead of three months by reading just a chapter a day. Use this check-off list or read with the help of the Bible Timeline Guided Journal.
  • Find some other ideas on the Resources page of my website.

 

What do I plan to do? Along with praying with the lectionary readings every day, I’m going to soak in Matthew’s gospel — which is the focus of this year’s Sunday mass readings. I’ll be sure to share some of my reflections along the way.

If you need help getting started, this post will give you three “Ps” to help you build a Bible reading habit:

BUILD A BIBLE READING HABIT (3 “Ps” to Get You Started)

2020 – ready or not, here I come! 

Share your plan in the comments, if you’d like. I’d love to hear it.   And may the Lord richly bless you as you read!

© 2019 Sarah Christmyer

 

The ideas for daily reading were previously published in my New Year’s resolution post on December 31, 2013.

Filed Under: Bible Reading, Study, Holidays and Holy Days

Comments

  1. Peggy says

    December 31, 2019 at 4:09 pm

    Someone from work gave me a journal called “Write the Word, Cultivate Gratitude” each entry gives you a scripture passage.
    The first one was the reading I chose for my Dad’s Memorial Mass this Saturday. I knew it must be of the Holy Spirit. Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

  2. Sarah Christmyer says

    January 2, 2020 at 4:27 pm

    I love that passage, that there is a time for everything. To weep and laugh, to mourn and dance. I like to think your dad is now dancing! Blessings on you for 2020, Peggy.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

 characters available

Sarah Christmyer writes and speaks about Scripture and the Catholic faith with the goal of helping people meet Jesus in his Word. “The Bible isn’t just a book about God or instructions for a good life; it’s a place to meet God and be changed by him,” she says. Her love of Scripture fuels her writing of Bible studies and related books; her teaching of Philadelphia seminarians; her speaking at conferences and retreats; and writing for blogs such as this one. “Come Into the Word” draws people into the Bible and encourages and equips them to explore it on their own.

Subscribe Here

Sign up to receive new posts and news via email. (Add sarah@comeintotheword.com to your address book to make sure mail arrives in your inbox!)

Search Come Into The Word

Categories

Recent Posts

  • TRUST IN GOD; HE’S GOT YOUR BACK
  • FINDING JOY AT CHRISTMAS
  • FOCUSING ON THE CHRIST CHILD with the O Antiphons
  • THANKSGIVING PSALMS: Drowning grief in gratitude
  • YOU CAN’T TAKE IT WITH YOU: How to fill your heavenly “handbag”
  • RETURNING TO GOD…AND PRAYERS FOR UKRAINE

Archives

Recommended

  • Integrated Catholic Life – Catholic blogs and resources
  • Lux App and Lux University – online faith hub for women
  • Peter Kreeft – featured writings and audio
  • The Sacred Page (Michael Barber, John Bergsma, Brant Pitre, John Kincaid) – blog
  • Scripture Speaks (Gayle Somers) – commentary on the Mass readings
  • Speaking of Scripture (Mary Healy, Daniel Keating, Peter Williamson, et al) – blog
  • Women in the New Evangelization (WINE) – women’s ministry, book club, blog

 

We engage in affiliate marketing whereby we receive funds through clicks to our affiliate program through this website. This disclosure is intended to comply with the US Federal Trade Commission Rules on marketing and advertising, as well as any other legal requirements which may apply.

 

Let’s Connect

mailfacebook instagram pinterest

Subscribe Here

Sign up to receive new posts and news via email. (Add sarah@comeintotheword.com to your address book to make sure mail arrives in your inbox!)

MENU

  • About
  • Blog
  • Resources
  • Speaking
  • Contact
  • Home

Copyright © 2023 Come into the Word LLC | Site designed by Cynthia Oswald

  • About
  • Blog
    △
    • Scripture Reflection
    • Prayer & Lectio Divina
    • Bible Reading & Study
    • Holidays and Holy Days
    • Discipleship
    • Women of the Bible
  • Resources
    △
    • New Release
    • Books & Journals
    • Bible Studies
    • How-tos & Reading Plans
  • Speaking
    △
    • Speaking Topics
    • Schedule
    • Testimonials
    • Reviews & Interviews
    • Past Events
  • Contact