There are a number of things I want to accomplish in 2014. I certainly want to become a better husband and father. And I want to make some serious progress on my seminary degree. Oh, and I plan on planting a church. It’s going to be a busy year!

I know that if I’m going to set goals for my life, I need to make a corresponding plan. While there are several things that need to be in my growth plan for the coming year, one thing will be essential above everything else: a healthy diet of the Bible.

Why read the Bible?

But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:14–17, emphasis added)

Paul told Timothy that all Scripture is breathed out by God. The Bible is God’s Word to his people. It’s a true revelation of Himself and his creation, including you and me. But it’s also useful. Paul said that it’s profitable for teaching, reproof, correction, and training in righteousness. In sum, the Bible helps us be equipped for every good work that God has planned for us to do. And let’s not forget that the Bible also helps us (and our families and neighbors) be “wise for salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.”

The Plan

My plan is to spend 15 minutes every day reading the Bible in 2014. By reading from four different places in the Bible every day I’ll read the entire Old Testament through once and the entire New Testament and Psalms through twice.

The Challenge

I’d like to challenge you to read with me. Every week I’ll post an update to the reading schedule. The reading schedule will be separated into two tracks. Each track includes an Old Testament and New Testament/Psalms reading. You can read both tracks in one year. Or, choose one track for 2014 and the other track for 2015.

I’m convinced that reading the Bible is the most important part of my growth plan for 2014. What about you? Do you want to make it part of your growth plan, too? Are you ready to join me?