Baptist Press
NASHVILLE — With the unfolding of a new year comes opportunities for new commitments, resolutions and goals.
For many, these goals include dedications to Bible reading and thus, specific Bible reading plans.
But choosing a Bible reading plan can be intimidating and some wonder, why even bother being specific about the way in which the Bible is read? Are Bible reading plans even being followed?
YouVersion, a popular Bible reading app, reported that in 2019 1.1 billion Bible plan days were completed in the app. This is a reported increase of 25 percent, in comparison to 2018.
In 2019 the app offered more than 10,000 unique plans to users. Of those 1,500 are in languages other than English.
According to these statistics, Bible reading plans are being utilized and in fact are growing in number and popularity. But even if Bible reading plans are being completed around the world, what really makes them important?
Bobby Gruenewald, founder of YouVersion, said that the plans offered in the app are part of an effort to make it easier for the community to read the Bible more. The plans are oriented in a way that helps individuals develop habits of engaging with the Bible every day.
“Bible plans are one of the most popular ways in the app for people to develop a daily rhythm of reading the Bible, which we know leads to a deeper, more intimate relationship with God,” Gruenewald said.
Michelle Hicks, manager of Adult Ministry-Short Term Bible Studies at LifeWay Christian Resources, said that Bible reading plans help remind us what the Bible is really about — God — rather than reading our preferences into its words.
“A Bible reading plan helps one open the Bible to know God. And even more than knowing His Word, a Bible reading plan reminds us of God’s character, His promises, and His plans and purposes,” Hicks said.
She gave four suggestions for individuals looking to start a Bible reading plan for the next year.
Consider the length of the plan, the time committed to engaging in the plan, the place in which the individual will read the plan and the goals for the plan for maximum impact, Hicks recommended. B&R — Tess Schoonhoven
