Thursday, December 15, 2011

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

18 comments:

Unknown said...

This looks amazing. Thanks for putting it together and making it look DO-able instead of the overwhelming have to read all books in order or chronological order or whatever order.

Sign me up!

twiga92 said...

I'm trying not to sign up for any challenges in 2012 but this one is right up my alley. I'm already doing the 4th one of reading Christian non-fiction. I think I may not officially sign up but have this on my radar to try to do the 1st two as well as the 4th. I've also been trying to memorize 2 Corinthians 4 for a while but keep getting stuck around verse 10. Maybe 2012 will be the year I finally get it memorized. :-)

Annette said...

Hello! And Merry Christmas to you and your reader's!
I'm signing up for Operation Deepen Faith.
II. Going Deep--I'll be reading Hebrews 12 times in 12 different translations.
III. Meditating and Memorizing---I'll aim for 1 to 2 verses per month to memorize.
IV. Christian Non-Fiction--you know I love Christian non-fiction books. So far I have 25 for this year read. So next year I'll aim for 30.
Count me in for reading the NT in a week for Easter Week!
Thanks Becky!

Soozie4Him said...

I haven't thoroughly read your post, but I wanted to THANK YOU for sponsoring this challenge. It's something I'd like to do, but I want to READ about it before I commit!

Again, thank you!

Susan
moot96 AT aol DOT com

Bellezza said...

Wonderful! On first reading this, I think I'll go for #1 Deep and Wide (hey, why am I singing that song from Sunday School in my head now?), as well as #3 Meditate on His Word. (Glad you didn't put Read Christian Fiction as a sub point. I really think that in general it's awful. So, so trite when His power is so big.)

Sidne said...

I am signing up for Operation Deepen Faith. I will be doing number 3 and 4.
http://sidnereviewz.blogspot.com

Abigail@The Story Factory Reading Zone said...

I've got so bad at reading my bible recently. I don't usually sign up for challenges, but this would be a good one for me.
I'm going to try for:
'Going Deep'
'Meditate'
and 'Christian Non-fiction' (3 books)

Judy said...

I want to go deep in one book. It may be Colossians since I'm always drawn to it.

prtrixie said...

What an awe-inspiring way to really get to know God's word. I have been attempting this on my own this year and it is up-lifting, but without accountability... I did not follow through. Thank you for making this doable!

Anonymous said...

I am going to try this. I had been thinking about how I could integrate more Bible study into my reading time. Not sure exactly what I am going to do yet.

SarcasticMuse said...

I am joining your challenge and I'm going for IV Nonfiction challenge. I'm going for a bare minimum of 5 theological books this year.

Jo said...

This sounds like the perfect challenge for me. I'm going to consider some before I decide which steps to commit to, though. The 1st 3 all sound like they'd work and be helpful, but...

reader said...

I'd like to sign up for the Christian non-fiction challenge.

thecoolmom said...

I love this challenge. I'm doing II and IV. More details are in my post here: http://theverylatestthing.blogspot.com/2012/01/2012-reading-challenges.html

I'm also interested in the Easter week reading challenge. Last year I read the entire bible between Valentine's and Easter.

durindaa said...

I have decided to use my time on the computer more wisely and I love your challenges. I have a regular bible reading routine but have recently become interested in the older theologians that are available on kindle for free. I think that all this adds up to direction from God and I am excited to begin!

Elisabeth said...

OK - this is way after the rest of you have signed up, but I have been doing part of this already.

I: Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, James

II: Gospel of John: I'm taking Disciple IV at my church, which includes John. Study Bibles: NRSV and NIV. I have multiple other translations, but am undecided there.

III:

IV: Nonfiction: Celebration of Discipline, Fasting, Made to Crave, Knowing God, John Wesley Sermon Anthology, Love Wins. I've got others for the TBR Challenge.

Anonymous said...

I regret discovering this mid-year! Sign me up for sections 1-3. I will be working through the Book of James.

Jim Black said...

Sign me up. I know I am getting a late start but I just discovered your blog recently. It inspired me to start my own blog about my walk with Christ (http://mychristianfootprint.blogspot.com/). I plan on participating in all of the different sections. Thank you.