If you have been following this blog at all you will remember that I read the Bible in a year plan a few years ago. I felt like I needed do it again last year so I started again. But I didn’t get very far.

I explained in Bible in a year plan…again some of the struggles I was having. I will say thankfully this time is different.

I am not reading it by myself. My church has issued a bible in a year challenge. We have Sunday school classes as well as noon bible study. There are a lot of places to get help, ask questions, and just have support in keeping up my reading. I essentially have built in Accountability partners

I have a really great study bible. My friend got me a Life Application Bible for my birthday and it has been monumental in helping me with my studies. This Bible breaks down tough scriptures in ways that are easy to understand. It has interesting facts about things that happened. It also has lots of questions and examples to help you apply what you are reading.

I am writing things down. This is an extension of the study bible but I didn’t really write a ton down the first time I read it. This time I am trying to pick out things I didn’t notice before. I am asking questions. Since I am writing things down I am remembering more of what I read.

I’m not rushing myself. I followed my own advice and I only read two chapters a day in the morning. I’m not trying to keep up with anybody but me.

I’m still reading it in chronological order and in a different translation. I’m also highlighting in a different color then I did when I read it the firsr time. I like that because I’m noticing different things then my first read.

The bible doesn’t have to be boring. Some parts of it are, but I believe in putting in a little effort you can find ways that tap into the things that interest you. They are so many translations and different types of bibles. Joyce Meyer has a Battlefield of the Mind bible, there are bibles written with just women in mind. The most important thing is get it in any way you can. Do your research, find something that works for you. Good luck!