Operation Gateway Bible: My Bible Reading Challenge
January 3, 2010 by Kim T
Filed under Grow Spiritually
One of my life goals is to learn the bible so well that my cells vibrate with its truth. Applying God’s word is the gateway to a life rich in the fruit of the spirit – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control. So on New Years Day, I started Professor Horner’s Bible Reading System.
I found this system because I was looking for a plan to read the bible through twice a year. I’ve done ‘bible-in-a-year’ plans before but after I finished one last year, I was hungry for more.
However when I first read about the Horner system, I doubted that I could do it. He divides the bible books into 10 lists and the goal is to read one chapter from each list daily. That’s 10 chapters a day! With my previous plan, I was reading 3-4 chapters a day, so this is quite a stretch for me.
And yet…I felt led to do it. I know how much bible reading has changed me for the better. I’m still a work in progress and know that the more I allow God’s word to work in my life, the more fruit I will bear for others to taste and see that the Lord is good!
True, it will take more time out of my day. And while I can’t get more time (we all get 24 hours), I do choose how to spend it. I will take time from unproductive daily activities and spend it on this one – which will impact my life and others for a lifetime. An excellent trade!
To make the system practical for my life though, I am modifying a couple of things:
- Rather than reading all 10 chapters at once, I am reading 5 chapters in the morning and 5 chapters in the evening daily. If I have to attend an evening event, then I will read those 5 chapters at lunch.
- Professor Horner provides 10 bookmarks you can print to keep track of your locations in the bible, but I’m using a checklist instead.
With my bible-in-a-year plan, I was accustomed to using a checklist and it was really helpful. Plus, I felt a sense of accomplishment when I checked off chapters I read. You can download a copy of my checklist to use if you like (it is Adobe PDF form).
It is designed to print double-sided, so you can fold it as a booklet and stick it in your bible:
Download checklist for Professor Grant Horner’s Bible Reading System
I wrote about my goal on this blog to keep myself accountable for following through. It really does help you to stay on track when you know other people are watching.
I decided to call my personal challenge Operation Gateway Bible just to remind me of the reasons why I am doing this. I hope that you decide to make this year one of increased bible study too, either the Horner system or another one. And I know that the benefits you gain will be worth for more than the investment you put into it.
I have been using Grant Horner’s systerm for some time now and have enjoyed it as a great adventure into the Word….something to look forward to everyday.
I’m so glad to see your check off list and thank you for sharing it with us. I also read 5 in the morning and 5 in the evening…since I work full time, it’s easier and less likely to be put off until tomorrow.
I’m also enjoying reading your other entries here…after finding you through Dr. Horner’s facebook page, I will visit again.
Thanks Barbara! I’m on Day 6 now and really enjoying it. It is not as challenging as I thought it would be
I appreciate your compliments on my site as well.
Kim
Thank you for sharing. This is awesome!
THANK YOU!!! Just downloaded your schedule for Horner’s Bible Reading Plan.
I didn’t want placemarkers in my study Bible that I use to teach a Ladies Bible Study. (I found that I really wanted to use my study Bible to glance down and look at problem areas I didn’t understand) when doing my reading. I had made a similar list but not the chapter numbers – I wrote the numbers in as I read them. I had since decided to do something like what you did but why invent the wheel all over again!!! So I was delighted to read your blog and find you did all the work for me!!!
I have been reading this plan for 9 months or so and love it! THANK YOU!!
I enjoyed your video on exercise also. I am a 76 year old grandma who plays tennis twice a week. My Bible Study is not in a church – but in a club house room of an apartment building. THANKS AGAIN!!!
Hi Nancy, thanks for stopping by! Glad that you are finding the checklist helpful. I am still on the Horner reading plan and the 10 chapters a day is not as scary as I thought they would be. As I mentioned in the post, I started out with 5 in the morning and 5 in the evening, thinking that would be easier to do. But I found myself enjoying my morning reading so much that I would keep going and now I read all 10 chapters at one sitting. It really does give you a whole new perspective on the bible.
That’s awesome about your tennis playing! I hope that I will have that level of energy at 76, God willing. I’m working on it now. God bless you!
You’re welcome, Sibyl. Sorry I missed your comment earlier!