The new year provides a fresh start for many things in our lives. One opportunity it provides for the Christian is to assess our relationships with both God and others. Tom asks us at the end of each year, “Have I grown in my affections for the Lord this year”? Considering the answer to the question provides our souls helpful feedback for identifying the specific ways we see his Spirit working. In addition to Tom’s annual question, here are a few more questions to consider and reflect on as 2021 comes to a close:
- What areas have I seen my faith exercised in new ways?
- How have I served my brothers/sisters more willingly?
- What new areas of sin and struggle has the Lord revealed to me, and how am I responding?
- How is my prayer life different from last year?
- Do I long for the Day of Christ to come?
A helpful article: Ten Questions for the New Year
Our encouragement would be to sit down with your spouse or a close friend and go through some of these questions together.
As we now look to 2022 and consider further our spiritual growth, may we all be reminded that it is the living and active word of God which provides the food our soul needs. The Prophet Jeremiah said, “Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart, for I am called by your name, O Lord, God of hosts (Jer 15:16).” Despite being in a difficult season, as opposition was surrounding Israel, Jeremiah continued to ingest God’s word and they became to him his joy and delight.
We do not live on physical food alone, but on every word that comes from God’s mouth (Matt 4:4). And as we ingest God’s word, we want to be found skilled in the words of righteousness (Heb 5:12–14).
With this in mind, we ask the question:
Do you have a plan for Bible reading and spiritual growth in the new year?
If you do not already have a Bible reading plan for 2022, here are some options we suggest:
- The Robert Murray M'Cheyne Bible Calendar
- Five Day Reading Plan
- The Chronological Bible Reading Plan
- Two Year Bible Reading Plan
Even if we agree that it’s a good idea to ingest the Bible and worship the Lord through his word, it’s good to still develop and implement some daily practices that will help sustain your Bible reading.
- Choose a Bible reading plan that is suitable for you and your daily schedule. Take inventory on your schedule, responsibilities, reading speed, processing abilities, etc., and choose a plan that fits who you are and where you are in life.
- Be consistent each day. Select a place in your house or work space where you can read the Scriptures uninterrupted (as much as this is possible, mothers!!). When and where is not as important as simply making a plan to be there each day.
- Reflect on what you have read. Every morning I ask myself a variety of questions like:
- what does this passage describe to me about God?
- or his promises to his people?
- or my need for him?
- what does this text require of me?
- Then I think about that truth for the rest of the day. Writing down one helpful truth a day and then pondering it throughout helps God’s word to take root in my heart and mind.
- Tell your friend or spouse what your Bible reading plan for 2022 is and invite them to encourage you in it. We have a great responsibility to admonish the idle and encourage the fainthearted, and this includes helping one another read and consider God’s word.