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365 FAQs
READ
It's too much reading for me!
Some people might feel, in following the reading plan, that there are just too many chapters to cover. For those who are unaccustomed to reading, it may appear to be true.
Some people might feel, in following the reading plan, that there are just too many chapters to cover. For those who are unaccustomed to reading, it may appear to be true.
Here are two ways to resolve that perceived problem:
1. Read just half of what is presented. (It may still be twice as much as we've ever read!) Begin with the New Testament reading only. Or just the Old Testament.
1. Read just half of what is presented. (It may still be twice as much as we've ever read!) Begin with the New Testament reading only. Or just the Old Testament.
2. Read until God speaks. As you read, you will come upon a verse that stands out. Stop there. Journal on that verse.
What translation should I use?
All we ask is that you use the translation that is easiest for you to understand. Youversion has over 16 translations for you to choose from. You’ll find a number of good paraphrases—The Living Bible, The Message, or Good News for Modern Man—renderings that seek to take the Bible's message and translate it into English idea for idea (rather than word for word). Other versions try to translate more word for word than idea for idea: some of the popular ones include the New American Standard Bible, the King James Version, and the New King James Version. Somewhere in the middle is a translation like the New International Version (which has been the top-selling English Bible for many years). Choose whichever translation fits best for you!
What if I miss a day...or three?
There will be times that you will miss a day (or a few days) of reading. You are fearful of beginning again because you will have to "catch up!" Here are several options:
There will be times that you will miss a day (or a few days) of reading. You are fearful of beginning again because you will have to "catch up!" Here are several options:
1.Don't try to catch up. Start on today's reading. Whatever day it is, start there. Don't try to rewind the tape and catch up all the days you missed.
2. Keep up with the plan and try to catch up on a day off or on a weekend.
3. Keep up at your own pace. Although we would like to be on the same page as a church, our goal is for you to be able to read through the bible. If you feel the pace is too rigorous, take the daily readings at your own pace.
What if I don't understand what I'm reading?
Some people say, "What if I don't understand 90% of what I am reading?" Then don't journal on the 90% you don't understand. Journal on the 10% you do! Begin there. If you toss the Bible out with the bathwater, your understanding will actually decrease. But if you will be faithful to journal on what you do understand, God will reveal more to you next time around.
Some people say, "What if I don't understand 90% of what I am reading?" Then don't journal on the 90% you don't understand. Journal on the 10% you do! Begin there. If you toss the Bible out with the bathwater, your understanding will actually decrease. But if you will be faithful to journal on what you do understand, God will reveal more to you next time around.
LISTEN
How do I listen to what God is saying?
John 10:27 says “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them”. When we read the Bible, God (our shepherd) wants to speak something to us and since we’re His sheep (followers), we can hear it. Often times something you’re reading will just jump out at you. It will become highlighted among the other verses and God will show you something through it. It may come as a new thought or a deep impression. Be sensitive as you read and God will always have something to say. It doesn’t always have to seem profound or deep…in fact, it may quite often be simple. But don’t take it for granted. A simple Word from God can transform your life!
John 10:27 says “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them”. When we read the Bible, God (our shepherd) wants to speak something to us and since we’re His sheep (followers), we can hear it. Often times something you’re reading will just jump out at you. It will become highlighted among the other verses and God will show you something through it. It may come as a new thought or a deep impression. Be sensitive as you read and God will always have something to say. It doesn’t always have to seem profound or deep…in fact, it may quite often be simple. But don’t take it for granted. A simple Word from God can transform your life!
How do I know it's God that I'm hearing?
Sometimes we may wonder if what we’re hearing is really God. Especially when we’re first starting off, this can be a daunting question. But, don’t fear. We’re taking the time to read the Bible and we’re asking God to speak to us through it. We can trust that God is bigger than any other competing voices vying for our attention and since we’re asking for it, it’ll be Him that shows up day after day to speak to us. And, the more we do it and the more Scripture we cover, the easier it will be to hear God’s voice over any other voice, including the loudest…our own!
Sometimes we may wonder if what we’re hearing is really God. Especially when we’re first starting off, this can be a daunting question. But, don’t fear. We’re taking the time to read the Bible and we’re asking God to speak to us through it. We can trust that God is bigger than any other competing voices vying for our attention and since we’re asking for it, it’ll be Him that shows up day after day to speak to us. And, the more we do it and the more Scripture we cover, the easier it will be to hear God’s voice over any other voice, including the loudest…our own!
APPLY
What does it mean to apply what I've heard?
Application is an important part of any daily devotional. It's where the real life-change happens. We decide how what we've just read and heard from God should affect us in our life today.
How do I do it?
There are many different ways to apply what you've learned. Here are some simple responses:
1.) Pray. Many times our application is just responding to God in prayer...we recognize something new about Him so we acknowledge it by praying it verbally or keeping a prayer journal.
2.) Change our minds. What you read and hear from God may run against a belief you've held in your mind. The application would be to change the way you think so that your beliefs are lined up with His Word.
3.) Take action. You may discover that there is a correponding action to what God is speaking to you. Your application would be to do what you believe God is speaking to you to do through His Word.
1.) Pray. Many times our application is just responding to God in prayer...we recognize something new about Him so we acknowledge it by praying it verbally or keeping a prayer journal.
2.) Change our minds. What you read and hear from God may run against a belief you've held in your mind. The application would be to change the way you think so that your beliefs are lined up with His Word.
3.) Take action. You may discover that there is a correponding action to what God is speaking to you. Your application would be to do what you believe God is speaking to you to do through His Word.