Those of us at Macland Road are serious about growing in our Bible knowledge. We love to know more about the Bible for many reasons, not least of all because God commands that we develop in our knowledge. Consider the following commands of Scripture:
- 2 Timothy 2:15. Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth (emp. added).
- 2 Peter 1:5. For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge (emp. added).
- 2 Peter 3:18. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (emp. added).
To help us follow these commands, the leadership of the Macland congregation has seen fit to provide an annual Bible learning initiative. In 2016, the initiative was the Bible Basics Bullets, which were provided in the bulletin each week. (The complete set of BB Bullets is now available for download from the Macland Road Web site [www.MaclandRoadChurchofChrist.org].)
The 2017 Bible learning initiative will be a Bible Reading Challenge. Each week, a daily Bible reading plan will be provided in the bulletin. Each week’s reading will focus on a different, exciting topic. There are three levels of difficulty, from which you can choose the level best for you. From time to time, I will preach sermons drawn from the current week’s reading plan.
I cannot think of a better way for a New Testament Christian to begin 2017 than by resolving to be a daily reader of God’s word. As you read, keep a notebook or electronic device handy, note things you find particularly interesting or noteworthy, and then return to those notes to facilitate more in-depth study. Find connections between words, themes, and characters in the Bible. Ask yourself questions, and then find the answers. (If you run into difficult questions, feel free to submit them for our monthly Q&A night.)
If we dedicate ourselves to a year of increased Bible study, then we surely will reap the spiritual benefits. “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. . . . [G]ive me life, O Lord, according to your word!” (Psalms 119:105, 107). “The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes” (Psalms 19:7-8).