READ YOUR BIBLE! 

New Disciple Challenge:
This focuses on laying a foundation for Bible reading for the rest of your life. The focus is solely on the life of Jesus and the early church.
 
Here’s how it works:
-Set aside 20 minutes to read each day. The focus is not to finish a particular passage each day but to intentionally read for 20 minutes.

-The focus is on Jesus and his ministry, therefore we’re only going to read 5 books (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John and Acts).

-Start with John and read it for two weeks. If you’re a fast reader it might take you just a few weeks to read through the entire Book. That’s okay, once you finish reading it, start over from the beginning and keep reading it over until the two weeks are up.

After two weeks in John, follow this plan:
-Read Acts for two weeks.

-Read Matthew for two weeks.

-Read Acts for two weeks (yes, again!).

-Read Mark for two weeks.

-Read Acts for two weeks.

-Read Luke for two weeks.

-Finish up with a final two weeks in Acts.

Seem repetitive? It is! The goal when you finish the reading plan above is to have a healthy knowledge of Jesus, his ministry, and the ministry of the early church!
 
 
5x5x5 Reading Plan

5 minutes a day // 5 times a week // 5 ways to dig deeper

5 minutes a day: This takes you through all 260 chapters of the New Testament. The gospels are read periodically to keep the story of Jesus fresh all year long!

5 times a week: Monday - Friday. Weekends are open for digging deeper.

5 ways to dig deeper:  Exactly what it says, 5 ways to dig deeper in the scripture. We recommend you try one of the below for a week, and if that doesn’t work for you, try the next one:  
o    Underline or highlight key words in the Bible reading for the day.
o    Put it into your own words – Read the passage or verse slowly, then rewrite it using your own words.
o    Ask and answer some questions – Ask questions about the passage using who, what, why when, where and how. Jot down your own thoughts on how you would answer.
o    Capture the big idea -  Periodically ask, what’s the big idea in this sentence, paragraph, or chapter?
o    Personalize the meaning – Ask yourself: How could my life be different today as I respond to what I’m reading?
 
Click on this link to start this plan through the Bible app: https://my.bible.com/reading-plans/232-discipleship-journals-5x5x5-reading-plan
 
Here’s a link to a PDF version of the reading plan: https://www.navigators.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/navtool-5x5x5.pdf
 
Read Through the Bible Reading Plan

Each day this plan guides you through passages from both the Old and New Testaments, allowing you to see connections between the history of our faith and the fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan.
 
Click on this link to start this plan through the Bible App: https://my.bible.com/reading-plans/140-read-through-the-bible

 Set up camp and be intentional.
If you really want to understand the Bible, not skipping around will help you! Reading a verse here and a verse there will not build your knowledge, but reading God’s heart by reading through the Bible will build your knowledge and your faith!
 
By setting up camp you are choosing to read and reread until you understand it. It means you are truly dedicated to understanding that little part of the Bible which will build the foundational blocks of your Biblical understanding.
 
Whether you are carving out 5 minutes or 25 minutes of your day to read, make sure you’re intentional about those minutes. Try your best to eliminate any distractions and focus on what’s in front of you. You can do that by committing to reading in the same place and at the same time, to the best of your ability. For example, “I will read my Bible every morning at 7 to 7:15am with my coffee on the couch in the living room." That way, you’ve already made your decision and you don’t have to remake it every morning! It’s a commitment!
 
Dig into context before diving into details.
Before you start a new book of The Bible, ask yourself and answer these 4 questions:
* Who wrote this book?
* Why did he write it?
* What was his main points?
* What was going on in history?
 
There are a number of Study Bibles out there that answer these questions at the beginning of each book. If you don’t have a study Bible, a quick Google search before you start a new book is a great place to start.
 
Don’t be afraid to ask questions.
The only way you’ll understand God’s Word is if you ask questions.
 
The Bible can be complicated, weird and sometimes difficult to understand. For some, it can be intimidating. However, it doesn’t have to be! Don’t fear not knowing and understanding. That’s the best place to start!
 
If you’re stuck on a specific passage and have a question, don’t hesitate to reach out and ask us! Email info@thecoastlinechurch.com and one of our Pastors would be happy to get back to you!
 
Dwell in lessons throughout the day.
Don’t read just to check off the box. Read, but dwell on what you read throughout the day.
 
When you truly dive into God’s Word and He chooses to speak to you, you’ve got to choose to dwell in the message. God speaks when He wants you to hear AND do something about it! That requires putting in some work and seeking God’s truth throughout the day, not just in the morning.
 
Here are some tips to dwell on what you’ve read and learned throughout the day:
* Write a phrase on your hand.
* Pray every time you are in the car.
* Choose a verse from your reading to memorize, and write it on a post it note.
* Talk to a friend about what God is teaching you.
 
The key is to not stop spending time with God when you close His Word.