New Year new leaf?

I have to confess to be something of a cynic, especially when it comes to New Years Resolutions, after all if you really wanted to do it you'd just do it wouldn't you, you wouldn't wait for the start of the New Year would you?  Or maybe you would?

Anyway I thought I'd suggest some potential new leaves to turn over if that's what you are thinking of doing in a fortnights time.

1. Get reading the Bible:
There are loads of good resources available to help you do this.  www.10ofthose.com have loads of resources you could use, I've recently been using some of their undated bible readings on Daniel and 1 Thessalonians - easy to read but thought provoking.  The good book company also have a host of bible study materials you can use, I've particularly enjoyed the ones on Ephesians by Thabiti Anyabwile.

Alternately there are apps available, if you download the explore app you can get Luke Uncover notes for free.  Really helpful to have if you are on the move and the links in the text take you to the passage which is highlighted to read.

Other weightier things worth reading to help you get into the bible are Don Carsons For the Love of God, and Search the Scriptures which has aged and can be hard going in places is a helpful 3 year study of the whole bible.

Maybe you find reading the bible on your own hard then why not...

2. Get reading the bible with a friend from church:
Why not agree to both get the same notes/book or just to read the same book of the bible and meet up once a week to chat about it, before church, before home group or whenever works for you.

3. Get reading the bible with a friend who doesn't know Jesus yet:
I've loved having the opportunity to be involved with some CU's over the last couple of years and they have a brilliant resource called 'Uncover' get a copy and find a friend who hasn't yet realised how great it is to know Jesus and ask them if they'll read it with you.

We are all individuals so find when and where and how reading the bible works best for you.  If you aren't a morning person don't plan to get up early and do it, if you are too tired in the evening don't plan to do it then.  If listening works better than reading use a listen to a reading feature like at ESV study bible online or biblegateway.  How work for you?  When works for you? When can you grab some time and concentrate and get to know and enjoy God, your loving heavenly Father, better?