Bible Reading Plan

Weekly Update – December 29th, 2022

This Sunday, there will be a number of Bible reading plans available for you to look at set on the organ bench in the sanctuary.  You can also feel free to choose one from this website too, if you are interested.  Each Bible reading plan set out and on the above website are varied in the days that you read, where you read, and how much you read.  Every year I pick out a Bible reading plan and in the past I have encouraged you all to pick one out as well.   But this week, instead of simply telling you to get a plan for reading the Bible in place for the New Year, let me give you three reasons as to why it is vital for you to have some sort of plan for reading the Bible in this coming year. 

First, reading the word of God is a matter of life and death.  Now that may sound a little dramatic, but it is true.  If as Romans 10:17 says, “faith comes by hearing and hearing through the word of Christ,” then without the word of God in us, there is no opportunity for us to grow in faith.  Put that together with Hebrews 11:6 which says, “…without faith it is impossible to please him (God),” and we have a true dilemma before us if we neglect the Bible.  A lack of faith is sin, and sin continually present in our lives, as James 1:15 says leads to death.  Therefore we must strive for greater faith which comes through knowing the word of God.

Second, we must know the message given to us from God.  If we were to say that simply reading a verse a day was sufficient for knowing the word of God, then we could randomly open up our Bibles, point to any verse on the page, read it and move on with our day.  But that is not how we understand who God is.  That is also not how faith is built either.  That is why devotionals, as helpful and beneficial as they are, are not sufficient in and of themselves.  To know the Bible, we must understand the complete story, we must know verses in their context, and we must piece the different chapters and books and sections of the Bible together.  God’s redemptive plan is not seen in one verse, or one chapter, but in the whole of the Scriptures. 

Third, the word of God is living and active.  I can remember talking to a friend several years ago who told me that he didn’t need to read the Bible anymore because he had already read it several times.  The point he was missing though is that we don’t read the Bible for simply knowledge and facts.  We read the Bible, because it is the very word of God.  And when read or heard, the Holy Spirit empowers these words in our hearts and builds faith as they are applied to circumstances and situations or our lives.  We don’t need to make the Bible relevant through new techniques.  It already is relevant because of the Holy Spirit’s work in our souls. 

Therefore, because of these three reasons, you and I desperately need to be in the word of God on a daily basis.  The best way to do so is by having a plan.  Can having a plan bring out legalistic tendencies to merely check boxes thinking we have satisfied a requirement of God?  Sure it can.  So can any other spiritual discipline.  Can having a plan discourage us if we don’t keep up?  Yes.  But a plan can also help us build our faith, it can guide us through the message of God and it can bring the word of God to life within our souls.  I encourage you this year, find a plan, do your best to stick with it, and if you get behind, simply extend the plan out into the next year and keep going.  The bottom line is, start the year off right planning to read the word of God.

Serving Him with You,
Pastor Michael Nelson

Written by Pastor
Michael Nelson

Fighter Verse for the Week

"..."Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!" And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, "To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!""
- Revelation 5:12-13

Announcements:

Men’s Retreat: On Saturday, January 21st, the men will head to Emporia, KS for a day long men’s conference. The cost is $40. There is a sign-up sheet in the hallway. For more information about this conference, go HERE.

Volunteers Needed: Volunteers are still needed during the 10:30am nursery time. Check the update or email the office for more information on how you can serve.

Lottie Moon Christmas Offering: Every year at this time, we raise funds to support missionaries all over the world who are serving with the International Mission Board (IMB). Our goal at First Baptist Church is to raise $10,000. If you haven’t already, will you consider partnering with us by giving, as we seek to support international missions? You can give on Sunday mornings through one of our offering boxes located in the foyer or the welcome center. Just mark your envelop as “missions” or “Lottie Moon.” Or you can give online HERE. Choose “missions” under the Fund tab. You can find more information about this offering HERE.

Awana

There will be no Awana on Wednesday, January 4th.

Bible Study

There will be no Bible Study or Sunday School classes on January 1st.

Giving

To Give Online, Go HERE. 

You can also mail your offering to: 1416 Main Street, Grandview, MO. 64030

Home Groups

Home Groups meet on the the first and third Sunday of each month. If you are interested in joining one, you can find more information HERE.

Prayer

An updated Prayer Guide can be accessed HERE. 

Prepare for Sunday

Guide for Worship can be found HERE.