Many people say, “I love to cook but I hate to decide what’s for dinner” or stand in front of their closet filled with clothes, saying, “I have nothing to wear.” This same thought process is true when it comes to our daily Bible study time. It is frustrating when you have ten or twenty minutes set aside for Bible reading to waste time randomly flipping through your Bible deciding what to read. Without a systematic plan, you will probably read and reread the books you know best and avoid the ones with which you are unfamiliar. “If you aim at nothing, you will probably hit it”, is a phrase we often hear. This applies to our Bible study as well. If we are not aiming to meet God in his Word, we won’t.
Leaders know the importance of planning. Nehemiah’s first objective was to rebuild the wall around Jerusalem starting with the gates. (Neh. 3) He motivated the people to work with him and, at different times, measured their advancement (Neh. 4 – 6). His plan allowed for interruptions. (Neh. 4 – 5) He constantly surveyed the situation as the rebuilding of the wall was taking place. Despite the many obstacles, the Jews complete the wall in 52 days! (Neh. 6:15-19) Here we see another one of those desirable characteristics of the leader, the ability to plan.
Setting goals is serious business. The Apostle Paul made plans (see, for example, Acts 15:36; Rom 1:13), and so did the other apostles (Acts 6:1-3). Even Jesus himself made plans (Matt 10:5-15; 16:21; 26:17-19). Surely, we cannot claim that these men were not Spirit-led in their planning.
For this reason, it is helpful to use a daily Bible reading plan. This plan should help you to read for the sake of learning, not simply just, so that you can accomplish your next reading.
There are many helpful Bible reading systems available from your church, denomination, local Christian bookstore, or even on the web. Evaluate several and then choose a plan that systematically takes you through all parts of the Bible and follow it. The point is, find a plan, and stick to it. Then you won’t have to spend your study time in “menu planning” and you can experience “the joy of cooking”.
Be very careful that your plan is not so rigid in your schedule that any little ‘crisis’ ruins your day. People sometimes stick to their plans even when the only reason for doing so is to save face. However, the Apostle Paul did not share this rigidity. On more than one occasion in his missionary travels, Paul planned to invade a region with the gospel but the Spirit of God prevented him (Acts 16:6-7). Herein is the balance: although Paul planned, he was sensitive to the Lord altering his plans. We ought not to be so anxious about life that we make rigid plans that are beyond our capacity to keep, nor should we be so lazy as to make no plans at all. Rather, with all humility, let us submit our plans to the Lord, and work for his glory. We should use our minds and set goals, but we must do so in humility, recognizing that God alone controls our destiny.
So, make a plan for your Bible study time or find a plan that fits you and remember that our God is a God of order so set realistic goals for your Bible study time. More importantly, come to your time of Bible study expecting to hear God speak, to learn, and to change, and you won’t be disappointed.
To God be the Glory, forever and ever, Amen.
