We believe that the words in the Bible are God’s very words, breathed out by him (2 Tim 3:16), as carried along writers across the centuries (2 Peter 1) to tell one great story. Now is the perfect time to plan what you’ll read in 2016.

GET INTO GOD'S WORD

What does it say?

• Underline or highlight key words or phrases
• Ask and answer questions. Ask questions using these words: who, what, why, when, where, or how

What does it mean?

• Capture the big idea. What’s the big idea in this sentence, paragraph, chapter?

How do I respond?

• Personalize through application. How could your life be different today as you respond to what you’ve read?

GET INTO PRAYER
Use the passage you read as a launching point for prayer. Try "A.C.T.S" as a simple way to pray.

• Adoration—What about God is worthy of worship in this passage?
• Confession—Where should we confess sin to God in light of this passage?
• Thanksgiving—How do we see God’s character in this passage in our lives today?
• Supplication—Based on who God is, what requests do we bring God today?

BIBLE READING TRACKS

Rather than setting out a daily reading, these tracks walk through a progression of books you can take at your own pace. Try one chapter per day to start and aim for consistency 5 days per week, taking the weekends to catch up or revisit readings. Mix in a Psalm each day alongside your reading, or for a challenge work through all the wisdom literature alongside these readings (Psalms, Proverbs, Song of Songs, Ecclesiastes, Job).

Levels of Reading
Bible Basics—Not very familiar with the Bible? Start here.
Track: Luke—the story of Jesus, Ephesians—our identity in Jesus, Acts—story of Jesus' work in the church, 1 John—life as a disciple of Jesus, Genesis—where it all began

Dig Deeper—Looking to grow? Continue here
Track: The Gospel of John, Exodus, 1 & 2 Corinthians, 1 & 2 Samuel, Colossians, Proverbs, Romans, Nehemiah, James

Challenge Yourself—Familiar with the Bible? Try this.
Track: Hebrews, Numbers, 2 Corinthians, Judges, 2&3 John, Esther, Philemon, Ecclesiastes, Jude, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Revelation,

Themes
Radical Grace—Trace God’s radical grace to sinners through the Bible
Track: Galatians, Jonah, Romans, Hosea

Sustaining Grace in Suffering
Track: 1 & 2 Peter, Ruth, 1 & 2 Thessalonians, Psalms, Job, Habbakuk

Biblical Leadership
Track: 1 & 2 Timothy, Ezra, Nehemiah, Titus, 1 & 2 Kings

Family Reading Together
Track: Try cycling between a gospel (like Mark), a letter (like Ephesians), and an Old Testament book that seems accessible and age-appropriate (like Ruth)

Story of Israel
Track: Genesis, Exodus, Numbers, Joshua, Judges, 1&2 Samuel, 1 & 2 Kings, Ezra, Nehemiah
Note: Consider reading the book of Hebrews alongside the history for insights on how the story points to Jesus