
READING THROUGH THE BIBLE
READING THROUGH THE BIBLE
a practice in the daily reading of God’s Word
[cover]
May 3, 2011
29.76166° N, 34.96954° E
The Tabernacle described in the Bible was a portable sanctuary the Israelites used for worship during their wilderness journey (Exodus 25–40). Built in accordance with God’s instructions given to Moses, it included a courtyard and a tented structure divided into the Holy Place and the Holy of Holies, where the Ark of the Covenant was set (Exodus 26:1–37). The materials used were acacia wood, fine linens, gold, silver, and bronze no name a few (Exodus 25:3–9). Its central location inside the Israelite camp is detailed in Numbers 2.
The cover photo shows a life-sized replica of the Tabernacle in Timna Park, located in southern Israel. This model aims to recreate the dimensions, layout, and general appearance described in the Bible. It includes the courtyard, the bronze altar, the bronze laver, and the tented sanctuary, consisting of the Holy Place and the Holy of Holies, furnished according to biblical specifications (Exodus 27:9–19; Exodus 30:17–21).
WE ARE SO EXCITED YOU HAVE COMMITTED TO READING THROUGH THE BIBLE!
Whether it’s your first time or your fiftieth, you can be sure that God will speak to you. That’s because the Bible is God-breathed and it is living and active, able to pierce us with timeless truth. Every time we read the Bible, we are tuning into what God wants to say to us. This is how God transforms us to become more like Jesus.
There are a few keys that really help unlock the power of God’s word in our lives. We would like to encourage you to:
Jesus said, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” Just like we need food every day, we also need spiritual nourishment every day. You’ll notice that the reading schedule in this journal calls for reading six days a week. This gives us one extra day per week for some grace. The goal is to cover the reading for that day.
Use this journal as a tool We don’t want to just read the Bible, we want to engage it… meaning, we want to read it, reflect on it, and apply it. James warns us, “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says” (James 1:22). This journal provides space for you to jot down your thoughts, questions and how you are going to specifically apply what you have read.
The weekly group meeting will greatly enrich your Bible reading experience as you share with others how God is speaking to you. You will be encouraged by others as they share. Also, the weekly meeting keeps us accountable to be consistent — that is very helpful especially when trying to form a new habit.
We have many D-Groups to choose from. If you do not yet have a group, check out our website for a current listing and contact info: www.foundry.church/groups
Whether your group chose the D-Group track, and will follow along with the church, or have decided to read through the NT track, preparing for this time allows each group member to be like iron: “As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend” (Prov. 27:17).
Sometimes, it’s hard to know exactly how to apply a passage. Use the
questions below to help probe the passage. It consists of 9 questions to ask yourself as you study a portion of Scripture.
IS THERE A SIN TO CONFESS? Has the light of Scripture illuminated an area of your life that needs confession and forgiveness?
IS THERE A PROMISE TO CLAIM? There are more than 7,000 promises in God’s Word. Does the passage you’ve read contain a universal promise or a specific promise to a particular person or group? If it is universal, ask yourself whether you’ve met the conditions of the promise.
IS THERE AN ATTITUDE TO CHANGE? Is there something you need to think about differently? Do you struggle with pride, apathy, covetousness, or anger? Confess and commit to change.
IS THERE A COMMAND TO OBEY? Obedience is better than sacrifice (1 Samuel 15:22).
IS THERE AN EXAMPLE TO FOLLOW? Are there positive examples to follow or negative examples to avoid? What aspects of the individual lives recorded in Scripture should you imitate? What should you avoid?
IS THERE AN ERROR TO AVOID? It’s wise to learn from experience, and it’s even wiser to learn from the experience of others! What can you learn from the errors in the passage you’ve studied?
IS THERE A TRUTH TO BELIEVE? Often, we’ll read something in Scripture that we can’t do anything about. We simply must believe what it says about God the Father, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, the past, the future, Heaven, Hell, or other topics in the Bible. When you come across a truth to believe, spend some time praising God for His wisdom & plan.
IS THERE A PRAYER TO PRAY? There are many recorded prayers in the Bible. Praying God’s Word back to Him is powerful!
IS THERE SOMETHING FOR WHICH TO PRAISE GOD? You can always find something in a passage for which you can be grateful to God.
This journal contains one semester worth of D-Group reading schedules, stretching over a single semester.
Reading
We will alternate between OT and NT books. Sunday sermons will often discuss and reinforce ideas found during the months with OT readings.
At some point we all have said to someone, “I’ll pray for you,” but later on in the day we forgot. The Prayer List section is here to help. The following blank pages provide a monthly location where you can write down your prayer requests and praises, your prayers for others, and anything else you want to remember to pray for.
They are divided into months allowing you to focus on the prayer requests for that month. Even if you write down a prayer request on the last day of the month, that still gives you at least one day to pray for that request!
Prayer list for the month of January
Prayer list for the month of February
Prayer list for the month of March
Prayer list for the month of April
Prayer list for the month of:
The week of reading we are in
The date to read, so we’re always on the same page
Space for your observations, thoughts, take-aways, or summary by chapter.
QR Code to watch the BibleProject Overview of the book we are reading through
Write down any additional notes or questions here
Reading progress indicator, already filled in by week. New journals are produced each semester (Fall, Spring, Summer).
Key reflections you can think through during the week
J ANUARY 5
ACTIONS I SHOULD TAKE
NOTES & QUESTIONS FROM THIS WEEK ’ S READING
REFLECTIONS WRITE OUT FOR THIS WEEK
One or two things you are thankful for
How you would apply what you have read
Something the Holy Spirit emphasized or impressed upon you
ACTIONS I SHOULD TAKE
NOTES & QUESTIONS FROM THIS WEEK ’ S READING
REFLECTIONS WRITE OUT FOR THIS WEEK
One or two things you are thankful for
How you would apply what you have read
Something the Holy Spirit emphasized or impressed upon you
ACTIONS I SHOULD TAKE
NOTES & QUESTIONS FROM THIS WEEK ’ S READING
REFLECTIONS WRITE OUT FOR THIS WEEK
One or two things you are thankful for
How you would apply what you have read
Something the Holy Spirit emphasized or impressed upon you
NOTES & QUESTIONS FROM THIS WEEK ’ S READING
REFLECTIONS WRITE OUT FOR THIS WEEK
One or two things you are thankful for
How you would apply what you have read
Something the Holy Spirit emphasized or impressed upon you
F EBRUARY 2
NOTES & QUESTIONS FROM THIS WEEK ’ S READING
REFLECTIONS WRITE OUT FOR THIS WEEK
One or two things you are thankful for
How you would apply what you have read
Something the Holy Spirit emphasized or impressed upon you
F EBRUARY 9
NOTES & QUESTIONS FROM THIS WEEK ’ S READING
REFLECTIONS WRITE OUT FOR THIS WEEK
One or two things you are thankful for
How you would apply what you have read
Something the Holy Spirit emphasized or impressed upon you
F EBRUARY 16
NOTES & QUESTIONS FROM THIS WEEK ’ S READING
REFLECTIONS WRITE OUT FOR THIS WEEK
One or two things you are thankful for
How you would apply what you have read
Something the Holy Spirit emphasized or impressed upon you
NOTES & QUESTIONS FROM THIS WEEK ’ S READING
REFLECTIONS WRITE OUT FOR THIS WEEK
One or two things you are thankful for
How you would apply what you have read
Something the Holy Spirit emphasized or impressed upon you
NOTES & QUESTIONS FROM THIS WEEK ’ S READING
REFLECTIONS WRITE OUT FOR THIS WEEK
One or two things you are thankful for
How you would apply what you have read
Something the Holy Spirit emphasized or impressed upon you
NOTES & QUESTIONS FROM THIS WEEK ’ S READING
REFLECTIONS WRITE OUT FOR THIS WEEK
One or two things you are thankful for
How you would apply what you have read
Something the Holy Spirit emphasized or impressed upon you
ACTIONS I SHOULD TAKE
NOTES & QUESTIONS FROM THIS WEEK ’ S READING
REFLECTIONS WRITE OUT FOR THIS WEEK
One or two things you are thankful for
How you would apply what you have read
Something the Holy Spirit emphasized or impressed upon you
ACTIONS I SHOULD TAKE
NOTES & QUESTIONS FROM THIS WEEK ’ S READING
REFLECTIONS WRITE OUT FOR THIS WEEK
One or two things you are thankful for
How you would apply what you have read
Something the Holy Spirit emphasized or impressed upon you
ACTIONS I SHOULD TAKE
NOTES & QUESTIONS FROM THIS WEEK ’ S READING
REFLECTIONS WRITE OUT FOR THIS WEEK
One or two things you are thankful for
How you would apply what you have read
Something the Holy Spirit emphasized or impressed upon you
NOTES & QUESTIONS FROM THIS WEEK ’ S READING
REFLECTIONS WRITE OUT FOR THIS WEEK
One or two things you are thankful for
How you would apply what you have read
Something the Holy Spirit emphasized or impressed upon you
NOTES & QUESTIONS FROM THIS WEEK ’ S READING
REFLECTIONS WRITE OUT FOR THIS WEEK
One or two things you are thankful for
How you would apply what you have read
Something the Holy Spirit emphasized or impressed upon you
www.foundry.church/groups