The Best Decision I Made This Year

If you asked me: what is the best decision you made this year?  The answer is easy. The hands-down best decision was the decision to read through a one-year Bible. 

Let me come clean.  I didn’t read the Bible nearly as much as I could have or should have last year.  This is embarrassing to admit, but Bible reading had become synonymous with sermon prep.  I was reading it professionally instead of devotionally.  I was reading it for what God wanted to say through me instead of reading it for what God wanted to say to me.  And it took its toll. 

Then at the end of last year I stumbled across an interview with J.I. Packer, the renowned author and theologian.  He said, “Any Christian worth his salt ought to read the Bible from cover-to-cover every year.”  It stung at first.  But it made sense, so much sense that I decided to do it.  And it has proved to be the best decision I made this year.  Long story short, I’ve fallen in love with the Bible all over again. 

If you want to grow spiritually, you need a consistent diet of Scripture.  In fact, you will never outgrow your consumption of Scripture. There is no substitute. There is no supplement.  The poet, T.S. Eliot, once observed: “Everything we eat has some effect upon us. It affects us during the process of assimilation and digestion; and I believe exactly the same is true of anything we read.”  In other words, you are what you read.

I have a saying that I repeat to our congregation frequently: reading without meditating is like eating without digesting.  If you want to absorb the nutrients, you can’t just read it. You’ve got to chew on it. You’ve got to digest it. Meditation is the way we metabolize Scripture.

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Romans 12:2

A few years ago, researchers at the National Institute of Mental Health did a study that consisted of subjects performing a simple motor task. As subjects engaged in a finger-tapping exercise, the researchers conducted an MRI to identify what part of the brain was being activated. The subjects then practiced the finger-tapping exercise daily for four weeks. At the end of the four-week period, the brain scan was repeated. In each instance, it revealed that the area of the brain involved in the task had expanded. That simple task, a finger-tapping exercise, literally recruited new nerve cells and rewired neuronal connections.

That is what happens when we read Scripture.  We are recruiting new nerve cells and rewiring neuronal connections. In a sense, we are downloading a new operating system that reconfigures the mind.  We stop thinking human thoughts and start thinking God thoughts.  And our minds are literally renewed. 

Enough theory.  Let me get personal and practical.  Because I have a goal-oriented personality, I knew I needed to turn this spiritual discipline of reading, studying, and meditating Scripture into a spiritual goal.  So I made one New Year’s Resolution: read through a one-year Bible.  For what it’s worth, I choose The Daily Message.  Then I asked my son, Parker, if he would do it with me.  Honestly, I wasn’t sure if he was old enough to handle some of the real and raw passages.  You don’t have to read very far into Genesis before you encounter some kinky and unconscionable stories.  But I’d much rather discuss the dark side of human nature after reading the Bible than watching a random R-rated movie.  I also have to admit that I had ulterior motives.  I knew that if my son was doing it with me, it would help keep me accountable!

Permission to speak frankly? 

One of the common complaints people make when leaving a church is this: I’m not being fed.  As a preacher, my goal is to nourish our congregation via a well-rounded diet of sermons. And I try to preach every sermon like it’s my last, but let me push back.  My kids learned to feed themselves when they were toddlers.  If you’re not being fed, that’s your fault.  I’m afraid we’ve unintentionally fostered a subtle form of spiritual codependency in our churches.  It is so easy to let others take responsibility for what should be our responsibility. So we let our pastors study the Bible for us.  Here’s a news flash: the Bible was unchained from the pulpit nearly five hundred years ago during an era of history called the Middle Ages. 

If you are relying on a preacher to be fed, I fear for you.  Listening to a sermon is second-hand knowledge.  It is learning based on someone else’s words or experiences. A sermon is no replacement for first-hand knowledge.  You’ve got to see it and hear it and experience it for yourself.  It’s not enough to hear the truth. You have to own it. Or more accurately, it has to own you. Honestly, I’d rather have people hear one word from the Lord than a thousand of my sermons.  And that happens when you open your Bible and start reading.

12 Comments »

1. Mark,

   Thank you for bringing this out front, I really like your article, which means I agree with it!  We have a rolling internal debate with our church leadership around the subject of Making Disciples.  My view is: Yes, this is a good result, and no, we can’t really DO IT for our flock, they have to do it for themselves.  As their shepherds, we should therefore be showing and teaching them how to do it, and not trying to give a warm baby bottle to a spiritual teenager.  Encouraging them to read the Bible in a year is a good start on becoming a follower of The Way.

   Brian

   Comment by Brian Allison - Jul 15, 2009 @ 09:21 AM

2. Wow. word. I’ve never read the whole bible…I think I shall.

   Comment by Stephen Bateman - Jul 15, 2009 @ 12:11 PM

3. Yes, this sparks and strengthens an earlier conviction from the Lord I’ve had for a while now.  Ever tried giving someone directions to a place you’ve never been?  God helped me see one day that its going to be a daunting task to lead my people where I’ve never been - which is to become experts in the word of God.  I want my people to be what I am not.  This must change.  Carpenters wield a hammer.  Singers wield a mic.  Doctors wield a scalpel.  Believers must wield the word of God, and personally, I want to be a master at using God’s word…won’t happen until I’m committed to reading it.  Hey, thanks SO much for the reminder!

   Comment by Billie Dantzler - Jul 15, 2009 @ 01:19 PM

4. Ouch!! Is all I have to say. Thanks Mark for been open and bringing this out. I have gone through a season where I couldn’t read the Bilble without hearing some of my favorite preachers in my head. I decided to step away from reading for a while and wanted to start by reading throughout the year. I am excited about jumping in thanks for the mph.

   Comment by Benjie Danquah - Jul 15, 2009 @ 05:33 PM

5. I thought this was a great article.  Thanks for sharing this with all of us.

   I had to share it with all of my blog readers as well…..
   http://johntalks.wordpress.com/2009/07/15/a-pastor-decides-to-read-the-bible/

   Comment by John Carroll - Jul 15, 2009 @ 10:44 PM

6. I am a pastor of a church of about 375 each Sunday and have only been doing this since 2002 - before that in 1998 - I for the first time ever in my life, read through the Daily Chronological Bible and found a new love for the Word.
   Frankly, I read it through for the next 3 years and then in 2002 when I went into pastoral ministry I fell into the same trap that you admitted to in the opening paragraph.  Just this year I have tried to refocus my devotional time on meditating on the Word I amd reading FOR ME and MY HEART rather than for sermon ideas and prep.
   It is transforming me again!  Thanks for this timely reminder, Mark.

   Comment by Greg Serafino - Jul 16, 2009 @ 08:20 AM

7. You can also do this via a podcast from iTunes called the Daily Bible Reading.  The artist does the daily reading (which helps those who drive for their long commute).  He rotates through different versions of the Bible throughout the year.  I use this when I don’t have time to do my reading, as I can listen to the podcast over and over while I work.

   Comment by Karen J. - Jul 16, 2009 @ 09:34 AM

8. Thanks Mark! You hit the nail on the head. I am committed to the same in my life once again. It is so easy to read blog after blog and get caught up on being more concerned what someone else is saying rather than what God has said and wants to say to His Shepherds. Our mega church movement needs a revial of the supremecy of Scripture and the fact that God does not need our help—we need His. This is the first an most important step toward a new awakening. Blessings-Robbie

   Comment by robbie garrett - Jul 16, 2009 @ 11:37 AM

9. I became a Christian when I was 18.  I am now 46.  It pains me to admit that until recently, when my Pastor challenged us to read at least 1 chapter a day, I had NEVER read my Bible.  I literally blamed everyone and everything for myself not being spiritually mature, especially my husband who was a Pastor.  Well, Satan came and found the weakest link, me; I wasn’t equipped to combat his attacks with Scripture as Jesus was.  Regrettably, my marriage of 25 yrs. ended in divorce. I was trying to fight in my own strength and wisdom.  I ended up severly broken and beaten: spiritually, mentally, emotionally, and physically, but God is FAITHFUL!  I started reading the minimum 1 chapter a day, and things started changing. It has taken 3 yrs. for the healing/restoration process to be completed. Today, I fight FROM a place of VICTORY, I am NO longer fighting FOR victory.  Last weekend,  my ex-husband and I became remarried. Today, I can’t get enough of God’s Word/ God Himself.  It is more precious to me than the air that I breath. I have learned the HARD way, that my spiritual growth and the level of intimacy that I am able share to share with God are completely contingent with my making a deliberate choice to daily abide in Him and His Word. Better late than Never!

   “Every Scripture is Godbreathed (given by His inspiration) and profitable for instruction, for reproof and conviction of sin, for correction of error and discipline in obedience, (and) for training in righteousness (in holy living, in conformity to God’s will in thought, purpose, and action). So that the man of God may be complete and proficient, well fitted and thoroughly equipped for every good work. ” II Tim. 3:16-17.

   Comment by Terri Riordan - Jul 16, 2009 @ 12:32 PM

10. Last year I realized that in all of my years of becoming a disciple I had not read the Bible through.  I’ve tried and quit numerous times.  My mind would wander, I would make grocery list, or I would think of all the things I should or could be doing. 

    One day I got this idea that might help me stay better focused and decided to give it a try.  I found a website where I could listen to the Bible being read. BUT I don’t just listen.  I grab my Bible, follow along, and sometimes read out loud with the reader.  It is amazing!  I am on my second time through (second translation) in just over a year. I love it! 

    Faith comes…just like Romans 10:17 says by hearing the word of God. It is by far the best decision that I made as well.

    Comment by Debi Porche - Jul 18, 2009 @ 07:50 AM

11. I believe God is doing something in the hearts of His people and His churches. There are so many people who are re-committing themselves to God’s written Revelation. It’s exciting and I believe it will prove to be life changing. Check out this facebook event that we created for this summer.http://www.facebook.com/inbox/readmessage.php?t=1027817555402&f=1&e=-12#/event.php?eid=101706552173

    Grace & Peace,

    Justin

    Comment by Justin Wallace - Jul 19, 2009 @ 10:43 AM

12. I am taking this challenge on myself and on September 6 will begin challenging the church I pastor to accept the challenge also. We will be using the ESV One Year Bible and will even order them for the people.  I think it will make for an awesome year!

    Comment by Bill Grandi (cycleguy) - Aug 13, 2009 @ 07:32 AM

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