Sign up for 2012 Operation Deepen Faith

This challenge has multiple parts. (You wouldn't have to sign up for each part. But. Ideally participants would be interested in doing more than just one.)

I. Deep and Wide; Goal: read multiple books of the bible in multiple translations.

For example that might mean reading four to six books of the Bible (OT or NT, whatever you prefer) in four to six different translations. The books wouldn't have to be long books. You might choose Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians, etc. Or you might choose  John, 1 John, 2 John, 3 John, Revelation. Or Luke, Acts, Romans, Hebrews. You can choose a group of books that makes sense to you. Books that you want to explore further. You choose the books, you choose the translations. You choose the pace.

II. Going Deep; Goal: STUDY one book of the Bible throughout the year. Read it in at least four translations. Read the notes in a study Bible. Read a commentary book about it. Read or listen to sermons on it. Read it as often as possible--whether that is once a week or once a month or even once a day. Get to know that one book well. Let God speak to you through it. You might even choose to take notes or journal as you read. Whatever you want to do.

For example, Annette studied Romans last year. She read Romans 10 Times in 10 Different Translations. You wouldn't have to commit to ten times. You do choose the number of times, and the number of translations.

III. Meditate or Memorize. Note the OR! Not everyone is comfortable committing to memorize Scripture. (I'm one of them!) Goal: Choose about a verse a week--or a verse every other week--to reflect and meditate on. It might mean memorizing it. It might mean writing or journaling about it. (Or blogging about it if you like.) It might mean praying it. Or studying it. It's taking the reading of Scripture into something a little more--worship. These verses would not be chosen ahead of time. I'm not asking for a list. This is all about choosing-as-you-go, choosing as you read, let Scripture speak to you.

IV. Christian Nonfiction. Don't be afraid to give it a try. Read some theology. You choose the number of books to aim for. A beginner might not feel comfortable committing to more than two books. And that's fine. I want to challenge you to start somewhere. This challenge is for everyone. Not just for people who want to commit to reading twenty! It isn't about reading the most. It isn't about reading fast.

• books about God (his attributes, his character, his names, etc.)
• books about the birth, life, death, resurrection of Jesus
• books about the Bible
• books about Bible characters (Moses, David, Solomon, Abraham, Jesus, Peter, etc.)
• books about prayer, fasting
• books about worship or worship music 
• books about church life or church growth or church leadership 
• books about missions
• sermon collections (sermon note collections), essay collections
• biographies/memoirs of theologians, preachers, missionaries, etc.
• books about pain, suffering, tough questions, etc.
• books about apologetics
• books about evangelism
• books about end times

Sign up by leaving a comment. Be sure to let me know which of the four you're interested in joining. You don't have to commit to specifics. (You don't have to tell me which one book you're going to study. Or how many books/how many translations you're going to read. Or the number of theology books you're wanting to commit to.) Though if you have decided, then feel free to share! But you don't have to have it all exactly planned out in order to join!

You should also know that I am planning to host a special event in April 2012. I'll be hosting the 'read-the-new-testament-in-a-week' challenge or event. April 1 through April 8th. (Palm Sunday through Easter Sunday.) If you are interested in participating, let me know. And I'll try to keep you updated with details if you leave a blog address or email address. Of course, I'll be sharing those details on my blog as well.


© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible