Bible In A Year

Read the entire Bible during 2012

What’s It About?

Following on the success of Bible Alive, we are offering Christ Church members the opportunity to read the entire Bible for themselves in one year.

We’re starting on 1st January and finishing on 31st December.

Doing it as part of the church community will mean that you can be encouraged by others to keep going!

Why Do It?

Jesus said, "These are the very scriptures that testify about me." - John 5:39
Our hope is that in doing this you will find yourself drawn closer to Jesus.

How Does it Work?

Each day you will typically read two chapters from the Old Testament, one from the New Testament, and a Psalm or Proverb. So for example:

• 1st January: Psalm 1:1-6; Matthew 1:1-25; Genesis 1:1 - 2:17
• 1st July: Psalm 78: 56-72; Acts 21:1-26; 2 Kings 3:2 - 4:37

Following these set readings each day will to keep you on track so that you read the whole Bible in the course of 2012.

How do I Access the Reading Plan?

There will be three options:

We will publish a booklet with the reading plan for the whole year in it, to use with your own Bible.

1. You can buy a One Year Bible which uses the same reading plan:
2. NIV Bible In One Year: Hardback ISBN 9781444703160 (£15)
   NIV Alpha Bible in One Year: Paperback ISBN 9781444703153 (£12)
   There are sample copies on display in church. Christine in the office can order one for you, please contact her on 01235 539172 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , or sign up on the form in the foyer by 11 December
3. We will publish the reading plan each week on the weekly bulletins and on our websites (see the top right column above or visit www.cca.uk.net/lf if you prefer).

How Much Time Would I Need Each Day?

It depends on your reading speed, but many people find it takes about 20 minutes to read and digest the Bible readings, and then some time for prayer.

How do I Get Started?

• Choose a time to do it. Some of us are morning people, some prefer mid day, some evening. Choose what suits you.
• Choose a place, where you won’t be disturbed.
• Ask the Lord to speak to you through the Bible passages each day.
• Read through the readings. What does the passage say? What does it mean? How does it apply to you?
• Pray about what you’ve read, perhaps there’s a common theme that you’ve noticed, or a particular verse has stood out for you?
• Journal. Some people find it helps to keep a journal to record what God has said to them.
• Finally, put into practice what you’ve read! James 1:22.

What if I Fall Behind?

Don’t beat yourself up over it! If you’ve missed just a day you could try to catch up. But if you’ve missed a few days, we suggest you don’t try to catch up but simply restart with the passages set for the day.

Other UK churches are following this same reading pattern; Holy Trinity Brompton (the home of Alpha) is one of them, and they are providing an online daily devotional commentary on the daily readings. Join in and receive a daily email which unpacks the meaning and application for our lives available from this web site: http://www.htb.org.uk/bible-in-one-year

Sharing the Journey

You might want to share the journey with others.  Here are some ideas:

• You could meet up with a "study buddy" to compare notes perhaps once a week.  That could be a close friend, or someone from your life group.
• Have a look at the resources suggested on the church website

Giving Feedback to the Church

We’d love to hear your comments on how it’s going throughout the year. You could email one of the staff team, leave a note in the church office or feedback comments through your life group leader.

But I Already Use Bible Reading Notes

That’s great. You can carry on using them! Perhaps Bible in a Year is for another time for you.

A Final Word

We’d encourage you to "go for it."  God is the inspiration behind the Bible.  He wants to speak to you!

Contact Keith Dunnett, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it 209145 or any other staff member.

'Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.' Psalm 119:104-106

Online Resources

Bible: http://www.biblegateway.com/
Daily devotional based on these readings: http://www.htb.org.uk/bible-in-one-year

Book/resource/article lists:

How to read the Bible for all it’s worth by Gordon Fee and Douglas Stewart
How to read the Bible book by book by Gordon Fee and Douglas Stewart
Unlocking the Bible by David Pawson
The Bible Jesus Read by Philip Yancey
Understanding the Bible by John Stott
The Lion Handbook to the Bible by Pat Alexander and David Alexander

Questions

As you read through the Bible you may find that you have questions which arise. You will find many of them are answered in the books and online resources above; you may also find answers through your Lifegroup members.

But if other questions arise do email them to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Our team of preachers will be kept informed of these questions, and when appropriate might seek to address them in teaching at church.