As we begin the new year, I wanted to share a few resources our family is using to read through the Bible.

Of course, there is no greater resource in the world than God’s Word! Having a plan is just a tool we use to help keep us on track. Years ago, I wrote a post about reading God’s Word with little ones. It was basically an explanation of my own discovery that as a mother my time in God’s Word will not always be “quiet”. I don’t need quiet to read God’s Word (though of course it’s nice!). I just need God’s Word!

I posted on my instagram that I am heading into the new year asking the Lord to help me put Him continually before me (Psalm 16:8). The main way I am doing this is setting God’s Word before me each and every day.

That being said, I want to quickly break down what plans we are using to read God’s Word.

MYSELF ~

A couple years ago I started reading through the Bible during the school year (September~May). It’s helpful for me to not start from scratch in January. This also gives me the chance to do something different in the summer. Last year I used Robert Murray M’Cheyne’s Bible reading plan. I kept it in my Bible and used it as a checklist. This year I am using the To The Word Bible reading plan. My favorite aspect of this plan is that it is connected to the Youversion Bible app. On days when I don’t have enough time to sit down and read six chapters, I will play the audio version. I’m also reading with a friend, and we hold eachother accountable by commenting through the app every day!

GRANT ~

Grant loves the M’Cheyne plan. He cuts out the linked printout and tapes it on opposite sides of the front pages of His bible. He always starts it sometime in the fall too. He likes getting a jumpstart so he won’t get behind if he misses a day. He never listens to it on audio and no matter how late at night it is, if he hasn’t done his reading, I will find him in his chair reading God’s Word. This is also a great compilation of some excellent reading plans.

THE KIDS ~

Our oldest two children are able to read God’s Word on their own now. This year they are using Tune My Heart’s 5 day narrative Bible reading plan. With this plan, the kids will read through all the major narratives of Scripture plus Psalms and Proverbs in a year. They use this Bible. This one also looks GREAT and is one we may buy next.

Grant printed and taped it in the front of the girls’ Bibles so they can check it off as they go along. We alternate reading with our eight-year-old to help her with challenging words and navigate to the right passage (our nine-year-old reads first thing in the morning on her own). This is not only special time with our eight-year-old, but we are sneaking in a little homeschool time too (her reading has come leaps and bounds already!). There is also a daily devotional guide for this plan which is great for older children.

BIBLE and FAMILY DEVOTIONAL

I have absolutely loved the Bible curriculum we are using for the kids this year. I do Bible with all the kids together 2-3 times per week. If you are looking for a no-fluff resource that helps children understand the entire Bible this is it! I have even learned so much! We do not memorize the catechism questions, but just by reviewing it consistently, the kids know all the answers. It’s helped them understand God’s promises and the fight of good against evil from the very beginning of time.

Lastly, Grant reads to the kids often from different children’s Bibles before bed. The kids are currently loving The Action Bible as well as Catherine Vos’ The Child’s Story Bible.

I know that many of you already have a Bible reading strategy for 2021, but since I had been asked several times what we were doing, I wanted to compile this for you. May we all say with the Psalmist, “I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word” (Ps 119:16).