A new year is fast approaching, which brings with it the opportunity to reorder our lives and set in place rhythms that help nourish our minds, bodies, and souls. 2 Timothy 3:16 tells us: “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness so that each of us can be complete, equipped for every good work.” As we seek to find balance in our lives, prioritizing scripture reading is a great place to start. The Word of God helps to encourage, correct, and equip us for each new challenge the year will bring our way.
We need the hope that is proclaimed in God’s Word written on our hearts to live our lives well. Jesus is our way, truth, and life (John 14:6). In order to learn his way, walk in his truth, and experience a full life, we have to devote time to studying the book, which tells us the story of God’s redemption plan for us!
Here are a few ideas on how to kick off your New Year’s Bible study:
1. Start Reading One Proverb a Day
Proverbs is a great place to begin your year. This book is a book of wisdom that was primarily written by Solomon, one of the wisest men to ever live. Each chapter helps to shed light on how God wants us to practically approach things such as marriage, parenting, finances, friendship, entertainment, and more. There are 31 chapters in Proverbs, making it easy to read and continue to reread over the course of the year.
Check out the Daily Wisdom Plan that guides you through Proverbs, Psalms, and the Song of Solomon in 60 days. The guide is one of many options that help keep you on track as you commit to making time in God’s Word a priority in 2024!
2. Start a Chronologically Organized Bible Reading Plan
Believe it or not, the Bible is not traditionally ordered in perfect chronological order. A great way to get a clearer sense of how the events of the Bible unfolded, commit to reading a Bible reading plan that orders the events of the Bible in chronological order. In these plans, you are better able to see how the prophets were speaking to the struggles God’s people were enduring. Reading the Psalms alongside 1 and 2 Samuel shows how David processed the many hurdles he faced as God’s anointed one. There is a lot to learn when reading the Bible through a new lens.
3. Choose a Theme to Explore in the Bible
Do you have a question for God that you would really like addressed? Take your question and turn it into inspiration for your Bible reading plan. Are you concerned by the problem of evil? Start a study that focuses on what God has to say about the evils we face in our world. Are you struggling to find peace in your life? Dive into God’s Word, hunting for how to experience God’s peace in the land of the living. When we are in need of answers from God for our lives, his Word is the best place to go in order to find them.
4. Join a Community Bible Study Class
Community Bible Study is one of the best ways to grow in your understanding of the Word of God. These studies follow the school year calendar. In each session, you dive deep into a set of books of the Bible, going through the text with a group of other believers. After completing the weekly study, you have a chance to discuss your insights and hear a lecture that helps shed even more light on the truth of God’s Word. Community Bible Study is my favorite way to learn the Bible. The well-composed studies, alongside the time of discussion, help to unpack God’s Word in a way that is life-changing.
5. Invest in an Illustrating Bible
Let art guide you into a deeper understanding of God’s Word in this new year! An illustrating bible allows space for you to write notes in the margin, create art that is inspired by God’s Word, or just write out verses that stick out from the text. The space to create will ignite new passion for your time in the Word in this next year.
6. Start with the New Testament
Let the story of Jesus stir up a greater passion in your life for the Gospel! The good news that the son of God came to Earth to share with all humanity is truly life-changing. Start with the Gospels and take note of how Jesus changed the world. His teachings, his life, his actions, and his death are radical. See how the church continues to grow and mature throughout the New Testament.
If you are looking for a study guide, The Daily Grace Co has a New Testament complete study series you can invest in. Just reading through the text on your own is all you really need to grow your faith in 2024.
7. Focus Your Study on Prayer
We know that God wants us to be in communication with him, but do we really understand why we do this or how important it is to our faith? Start this year diving into what prayer is. Discover when we should do it. Study the prayers that we find written by other people of faith in the Bible, as well as the prayers that Jesus himself said. Stand on the truth that prayer can change this world!
A study you could start with The Lord’s Prayer. The Lord’s Prayer is a great model for us when we are trying to learn how to pray. Lifeway offers a When You Pray study that goes through several prayers from the Bible and how they should inform your understanding of prayer.
8. Follow a Bible Project Reading Plan
Recently, I began spending time listening to The Bible Project podcast. The wealth of knowledge that is freely given through this resource is amazing! They have videos, articles, podcasts, and reading plans that will grow your understanding of the Bible and God tremendously! If you are unsure where to begin, choose a topic that you are interested in and just start learning. You won’t be disappointed.
As you start making goals for what 2024 should be, don’t neglect to make knowing God better a priority. He loves you and wants you to learn his ways. The Bible is the best way we can increase our understanding of our amazing Creator God.
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/ Dennis Swanson
Amanda Idleman is a writer whose passion is to encourage others to live joyfully. She writes devotions for My Daily Bible Verse Devotional and Podcast, Crosswalk Couples Devotional, the Daily Devotional App, she has work published with Her View from Home, on the MOPS Blog, and is a regular contributor for Crosswalk.com. She has most recently published a devotional, Comfort: A 30 Day Devotional Exploring God's Heart of Love for Mommas. You can find out more about Amanda on her Facebook Page or follow her on Instagram.