It’s impossible to grow in the way of Jesus without spending time in Jesus’ story.  As a community, we’ve committed to reading through the entire Bible in one year.  It only takes 10-15 minutes a day, but it’ll make a positive impact on the rest of your life. 

Here are a few hints and suggestions as you read:

• Pray before you read: ask God to reveal Himself to you through His word
• Don’t get stuck on difficult passages – keep reading.  If you don’t understand something, write yourself a note and get back to it later.  Some things will become clear over time, so give it time.
• Remember the Bible is God’s story, and Jesus is the main point.  That won’t be apparent in every reading, but keep it in mind as you read – it will help you figure out the point of some of the stories and conversations.
• The Bible contains many conversations: God speaking to people; people speaking to God; people speaking to people about God; and people speaking to people about people (and things).  What God says is always true.  What people say to or about God or one another is sometimes true, sometimes not.  When people are wrong about God (like the Pharisees and false prophets) – the Bible will let you know (sometimes God corrects them directly, sometimes he sends prophets to do it).   
• Have fun with it.  This is the greatest story ever told, it has drama, humor, wit and wisdom.  Enjoy.