Hi everyone,
Welcome to this month’s installment of our Scripture reading plan. A growing number of us have committed to five simple practices in an effort to embody our faith daily together. Here’s a quick synopsis of the five practices with some helpful links to get you started:
SCRIPTURE: We share a common reading schedule, usually one passage from the Old Testament, one from the New Testament, and a Psalm each day. Learn more: How To Read The Bible
PRAYER: We pray on our knees the first minute we get out of bed and the last minute before our head hits the pillow. Learn more: How To Pray
FASTING: Fasting makes space for God. We do it in different ways in different seasons (e.g. internet fast on Sundays; no meat or dairy on Fridays; special alms-giving in summer). Learn more: Why We Fast
CHURCH: Make a commitment to physically go and worship with other Christians at a local church every Sunday. Learn more: Losing Our Religion
AUTHORITY: Begin to ask God for a trustworthy pastor, priest, or spiritual leader. Then approach that person and give them authority in your life. Learn more: What Is A Priest?
August Scripture Readings
The readings for this month are as follows. If you’re the analog type, you can access the reading plan here and print it out or bookmark it on your phone or computer. We also have a personalized plan on the Dwell app (FREE for you!), which automatically loads each new day’s Bible passages. You can read or listen right on the app. It’s pretty awesome. You have to create an account to get started, but once you’re in, it’s free thanks to VB Fellows footing the bill (we welcome your donations to help keep it going).
Last month, in the Old Testament, we began the book of Ezekiel. This month we will finish Ezekiel and then move on to the book of Hosea. See below for excellent introductions from the Bible Project. In the New Testament this past month, we read the Gospel of Luke and began Paul’s letter to the Romans. This month we finish Romans, then read Colossians, Hebrews, and James. Again, see the excellent Bible Project intros. In order to keep the reading burden down, the Psalm readings are optional. But for those who can make the time, I highly recommend praying through the selected Psalm each morning, evening, or both.
Have a blessed August!
— Ross