Sermon Points

I. Preparing for the King in our Expectation

II. Preparing for the King in our Consecration

III. Preparing for the King in our Presentation 

Quick Note: Systematic Bible Reading in 2022

It has been said, only 15% of those who claim to be Bible-believing Christians regularly read the Book they claim to believe. 35% never read it at all. The other 50% only read it occasionally. Of course, we should approach such statistics with caution; nevertheless, something tells me these numbers give us a reasonably accurate big picture of the state of bible reading in our culture. Of course, they beg the question, where do I stand? Do I take Bible reading seriously?

In line with his desire to foster serious Bible reading in his own day, the Scottish preacher Robert Murray M’Cheyne (1813-1841) prepared a plan for daily reading that would take readers through the New Testament and Psalms twice each year and through the rest of the Bible once. To one young man, he wrote:

“You read your Bible regularly, of course; but do try and understand it, and still more to feel it. Read more parts than one at a time. For example, if you are reading Genesis, read a Psalm also; or if you are reading Matthew, read a small bit of an Epistle also. Turn the Bible into prayer. Thus, if you were reading the First Psalm, spread the Bible on the chair before you, and kneel and pray, “O Lord, give me the blessedness of the man”; “let me not stand in the counsel of the ungodly.” This is the best way of knowing the meaning of the Bible, and of learning to pray.”

UCC recommends a systematic approach to reading the Bible daily. In the past, we have recommended M’Cheyne reading plan (which you can access here, for example), but there are many options to read through the Bible systematically that may suit you better. Also, every year I (Pastor Shaun) issue an offer to have a phone call or a meeting with you to help you assess or even get started in your systematic bible reading, and that offer is extended again this year. I would be happy to hear from you (0503825148)