Is a Reading Plan a Biblical Prescriptive?
Slide 1 of 6
Again, no. Rather, Scripture encourages us to “delight in the law” and to “meditate on his law day and night” (Psalm 1:2). It enjoins us to “[hide] your word in my heart that I might not sin against you” (Psalm 119:11), and to “[eat] them” (Jeremiah 15:16). How we apply these verses is up for interpretation and preference. Some take them to mean that we can read and study the Bible autonomously, at our own pace, in our own way. Others believe a prescribed plan is a fitting application. Neither is wrong.
God gave us great freedom in how we choose to approach the reading, studying, meditating, and memorization of His Word. He is gracious in this way. He knows that one size does not fit all. Each person—given their age, season of life, life circumstances, and reasons—is to come to their own determination about how to engage with His holy writ.
Regardless, we need to be in the Word. Reading it is good and right, for so many reasons. First and foremost, it brings us into God’s presence. God’s Word is God Himself, in written form. The Bible is one of the many ways he personally connects with his children. Through the Grand Narrative—played out over 66 books—God spells out how we can be in relationship with him, and to what lengths He has gone to (and continues to go to) to make that a reality.
Reading the Bible enables us to see God’s heart for his creation (both animal and human), to glimpse the profound love he has for everyone, sinner and saint alike, and to understand his overarching purpose for mankind (that none should perish but have eternal life through faith in the sacrificial atonement of His Son, Jesus Christ, 2 Peter 3:9).
Yet another reason to read God’s Word is for transformation. Psalm 119:11 (above) spells it out clearly, “that I might not sin against you.” The Word, likened to a sword that pierces in Hebrews 4:12, exposes our sin and calls us to account. Yet not for judgment and condemnation but for confession and transformation. God’s Word highlights those deeds which we are to “turn from” (repent of)—lying, stealing, murdering, gossiping, adultery, etc.—and “turn to” (become more Christlike)—loving, peaceable, gentle, kind, self-controlled, gracious speaking, etc. Only in reading the Bible can we see who we truly are apart from God (depraved sinners and enemies) but what we truly can become through Jesus Christ (saints saved by grace, wholly beloved and forgiven).
Other reasons to read:
To understand why there are evil people in this world (Genesis 1-3)
To become equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3;17)
To learn how to serve/love God and others (Matthew 22:36-40, Galatians 5:13)
To know how to worship God (John 4:24)
To persevere in the race and not lose hope (Isaiah 40:31, 1 Corinthians 9:26)
To learn how to avoid Satan and temptation (Luke 1:4-13, 1 Peter 5:8)
To learn obedience (Joshua 1:8)
To learn how to pray (Luke 11:1-4)
To distinguish truth from error (James 1:5)
To be able to identify false teaching/teachers (Deuteronomy 18:20; 1 John 4:1)
And so much more!
Photo Credit: shironosov