Read The Good Book Lately?

Another Lenten discipline to consider is to read the Bible each day. It is amazing what a difference it makes to just pick the Bible up and read. In about 15 minutes a day, you can read through the Bible in a year. The worst way to go about this, and one generally doomed to failure, is to pick up the 66 book collection of the Bible start at the front with the goal of reading straight through to the back. Better is a pattern of reading which has you reading smaller passage from the Old and New Testaments each day.

I recommend two different methods. The first, and more traditionally Episcopal one, is to read the Bible following the pattern for daily readings set by the Book of Common Prayer. These are also printed in the quarterly Forward Day by Day booklets available for free at King of Peace. There is also an online version of Forward Day by Day. In addition to the Bible, you get a brief meditation each day to enhance your scripture reading.

The alternate method, which has worked well in the past for me and my wife, Victoria, is The One Year Bible. There are daily readings from the Old Testament, New Testament, Psalms, and Proverbs. A typical day's reading is 15 minutes, though some are little shorter and a few a little longer. The One Year Bible linked here is the very readable New Living Translation. It also comes in New International Version and King James Version.

What patterns of reading scripture do you follow?
Have you seen benefits for the time spent reading scripture?

peace,
Frank+
The Rev. Frank Logue, Pastor + King of Peace Episcopal Church