When is the last time you took a good, deep look at the book of Proverbs?
I don’t mean a cursory reading, or finding the few verses you need when you want them.
I’m referring to a cose study that results in new understanding.
That’s what I’m attempting for the rest of the year.
With the start of 2012, I started a new Bible reading system, by Professor Grant Horner. So far, it’s been a great fit for me. I’ve been more consistent than I’ve been in a long time, and I’ve experienced a deeper understanding of the inter-connectedness of God’s Word like never before.
For the rest of 2012, as I continue to work my way through this reading system, I’m going to add a deeper look at the book of Proverbs.
Here’s my plan. Each day, I will write out several verses of Proverbs into one of my favorite pocket journals. Armed with this in my pocket, within easy reach, I will examine each day’s verses several times throughout the day. If needed, I’ll consult a couple of good commentaries I have on the shelf. But since most of the Proverbs are common sense, simply meditating on them all day long should be sufficient to implant their wisdom in my head.
The added bonus will be at the end of the year, I will have my own hand-copied book of Proverbs.
My reasoning for this is simple, and two-fold: I retain information much better when I write it down, and when I read over it multiple times.
By the end of the year, I may be as wise as Solomon was! Ok, maybe not. But I know I will have a better grasp on a large part of the Bible’s wisdom literature than ever before.
And, if this works out like I expect, or even better, I will select another book to do this with next year. Maybe some of Paul’s letters, such as Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians and Colossians…
I’m pretty excited about the possibilities, and am looking forward to see how this works out.
Have you ever tried anything like this before? If so, how did it work out? If not, are you interested in giving it a try? You can share your thoughts in the comment section below.
That’s a wonderful way to meditate on the Word, Jeff. Wish you the best!
It’s pretty interesting how it sticks in my mind better.
I’ve never done this with any consistency. I have written out a verse to meditate on for a couple of weeks at a time, but nothing every day. Sounds like a great plan.
Later, the same day I posted this, I saw an article on Tim Challies blog about Journibles, which are blank journals, pre-formatted to write Scripture in. I bought the one for Galatians – 2 Thessalonians. Think God may be trying to reinforce this in my life?
The book “Between two Worlds” by John R. W. Stott, recommends Robert Murray McCheyne’s Bible Reading Calendar which he produced in 1842 for members of St. Peter’s Church in Dundee, Scotland. Through it one reads the Old Testament through once in a year and the New Testament twice. Scripture is divided into four major segments.
“We start on New Year’s Day with the four great beginnings of Scripture, namely
Genesis 1 (the birth of creation)
Ezra 1 (re-birth of the nation)
Matthew 1 (the birth of Christ)
Acts 1 (birth of the Christian church)”
One reads a chapter each day from each section. Upon reading through to one of the other beginnings (or the end), one returns and begins that segment again.
I attach ribbons to card stock and slide the card stock portion into the binding of my Bible to add enough ribbons for this program.
Reading through scripture like this was a life changing experience for me. It was like getting a panoramic view of God’s hand sweeping across time. Major themes like salvation and God’s loving-kindness, present themselves so obviously when reading through so fast.
I later sat under a pastor who had read through the Bible in 90 days using a similar reading program. He was just alive! His preaching breathed the word of God! I recognized the fruit immediately!
After using the above system I found myself wanting to add in Psalms, Proverbs, and the Epistles as their own segments. However, I tended to get lost reading in so many places. perhaps bookmarks with the chapters listed on the backs of each so they could be marked off, might help keep track of precisely which chapter one left off with.
Thanks for sharing your experience. I like reading from several passages on the same day like that as well. Today, for example, I read from Genesis about Noah. I also tread from Isaiah where he mentions Noah. And I read from Matthew where Jesus talks about the days of Noah. If I weren’t using a system that takes me all over the Bible, it would have been much harder to connect these passages together.
Here’s the system I use: http://www.jeffrandleman.com/trying-a-new-bible-reading-system/. You might give it a try, it sounds like what you described. I’ve been using it for almost two years, and I absolutely love the way it puts the Bible in perspective for me.
That is a great legacy to leave for your kids!