SS6: Walking Together Through the Word

I have tried a couple of times to create a video for this post, but things keep not working right - so rather than delay any longer, I'm just going to write this time! (I don't know why I forgot I can do that. Haha!)

I really appreciated what Pastor Scott shared a couple of weeks ago about the importance of reading the Bible. The tools he shared gave me an idea!

I want to invite you on an adventure walking through the New Testament this year.

I like comparing studying the Bible to studying the world. If you look at our planet from outer space or even out the window of an airplane, it is breathtaking!

Photo by NASA on Unsplash

You can also zoom in and look at something tiny and it is equally as beautiful.

Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash

We can look at the entire word of God and see a breathtaking Story of sin and redemption, love and salvation, and the past and a future filled with glorious hope. Zoom in on a single verse or word in a verse, and we can see nuances and details about God's character and promises that we would never see if we just looked from a distance.

I feel like trying to read the Bible in a year (or less!) is like flying in an airplane. You get a wonderful overview of the Big Picture, but if you want to stop and visit someplace in particular, there isn't really time or you'll "fall behind." It's true that when you keep going, you'll get through it all and hopefully understand how it fits together - which is an accomplishment! This pace works for some people, but not everyone.

Studying the Bible a verse at a time is more fun for me. (I know - I'm a nerd.) It's like looking at a leaf or a flower under a magnifying glass and I almost always find something fascinating. The problem with that approach is it can take a really long time to get through the Bible! And it's easy to miss the Big Picture if you don't already understand it.

Another option? Let's not fly over too fast, or stay too long in one spot. LET'S WALK.

Photo by Ashim D’Silva on Unsplash

I would LOVE for you to join me on a trek through the New Testament, one chapter a day. It's fast enough that we'll get through the whole thing in about 9 months, but not so fast that we won't be able to keep up or enjoy some stops along the way. As we read together, I'll share each week in our Sister Studies post about something that stood out to me. You'll be able to share what you're learning in the comments and whenever you're together with other Butler sisters. (Or maybe I'll drag invite you into a video with me sometime!)

What do you say? Are you in?

I'm so excited about doing this together. We will all be more likely to get to the end if we are walking together.

(If you already have a Bible reading plan that's working for you that you want to stick with, please feel free to do that! You can still join the conversation here or on facebook. No worries!)

I'll post the reading schedule on the blog each week on the sidebar or you can visit the YouVersion site or use their app and join the plan there if you want to use their tracking. (It's kind of fun! And I think we'll be able to see each other's progress and cheer each other on!) Click here to check out the YouVersion group plan or click on the image above.

I'll close with this passage from Psalm 1:1-3 (CSB) and a prayer.

1 How happy (blessed) is the one who does not walk in the advice of the wicked or stand in the pathway with sinners or sit in the company of mockers! 2 Instead, his delight is in the Lord’s instruction, and he meditates on it day and night. 3 He is like a tree planted beside flowing streams that bears its fruit in its season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.

Father God, THANK YOU for your Word. Thank You for the truth it contains that sets us free. Thank You for its power. Thank You for how You speak to us through it, Holy Spirit. Thank You for how You show us Your heart through it. Grant us wisdom, insight, and understanding as we seek to walk together through the pages of scripture and let us encounter YOU. Thank You for this opportunity to journey together. May Your Kingdom come and Your will be done in each of us. In Your name Jesus, amen!

Photo by rawpixel on Unsplash

Much Love,

Melissa 🎔

PS. Please don't think you have to do this to be part of the Sister Studies community. You don't. It's just going to guide our conversations for the next months. You're still wanted whether you are reading along or not! I promise.