/christian/ - Christian Discussion and Fellowship

DANGERS

1. Formality. We are such weak creatures that any regularly returning duty is apt to degenerate into a lifeless form. The tendency of reading the Word by a fixed rule may, in some minds, be to create this skeleton religion. This is to be the peculiar sin of the last days—"Having the form of godliness, but denying the power thereof." Guard against this. Let the calendar perish rather than this rust eat up your souls.

2. Self-righteousness. Some, when they have devoted their set time to reading the Word, and accomplished their prescribed portion, may be tempted to look at themselves with self-complacency. Many, I am persuaded, are living without any Divine work on their soul—unpardoned, and unsanctified, and ready to perish — who spend their appointed times in secret and family devotion. This is going to hell with a lie in the right hand.

3. Careless reading. Few tremble at the Word of God. Few, in reading it, hear the voice of Jehovah, which is full of majesty. Some, by having so large a portion, may be tempted to weary of it, as Israel did of the daily manna, saying—, "Our soul loatheth this light bread;" and to read it in a slight and careless manner. This would be fearfully provoking to God. Take heed lest that word be true of you— "Ye said, also, Behold, what a weariness is it! and ye have snuffed at it, saith the Lord of Hosts."

4. A yoke too heavy to bear. Some may engage in reading with alacrity for a time, and afterwards feel it a burden grievous to be borne. They may find conscience dragging them through the appointed task without any relish of the heavenly food. If this be the case with any, throw aside the fetter and feed at liberty in the sweet garden of God. My desire is not to cast a snare upon you, but to be a helper of your joy.

If there be so many dangers, why propose such a scheme at all? To this I answer, that the best things are accompanied with danger, as the fairest flowers are often gathered in the clefts of some dangerous precipice.

The Advantages.

1. The whole Bible will be read through in an orderly manner in the course of a year. The Old Testament once, the New Testament and Psalms twice. I fear many of you never read the whole Bible; and yet it is all equally divine. "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, and instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be perfect." If we pass over some parts of Scripture, we shall be incomplete Christians.

2. Time will not be wasted in choosing what portions to read. Often believers are at a loss to determine towards which part of the mountains of spices they should bend their steps. Here the question will be solved at once in a very simple manner.

3. Parents will have a regular subject upon which to examine their children and servants. It is much to be desired that family worship were made more instructive than it generally is. The mere reading of the chapter is often too like water split on the ground. Let it be read by every member of the family beforehand, and then the meaning and application drawn out by simple question and answer. The calendar will be helpful in this. Friends, also, when they meet, will have a subject for profitable conversation in the portions read that day. The meaning of difficult passages may be inquired from the more judicious and ripe Christians, and the fragrance of simpler Scriptures spread abroad.

4. The pastor will know in what part of the pasture the flock are feeding. He will thus be enabled to speak more suitably to them on the Sabbath; and both pastor and elders will be able to drop a word of light and comfort in visiting from house to house, which will be more readily responded to.

5. The sweet bond of Christian love and unity will be strengthened. We shall be often led to think of those dear brothers and sisters in the Lord, here and elsewhere, who agree to join with us in reading these portions. We shall oftener be led to agree on earth, touching something we shall ask of God. We shall pray over the same promises, mourn over the same confessions, praise God in the same songs, and be nourished by the same words of eternal life.

Instructions for the Family:

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2. The head of the family should previously read over the chapter for family worship, and mark two or three of the most prominent verses, upon which he may dwell, asking a few simple questions.

3. Frequently the chapter named in the calendar for family reading might be read more suitably in secret; in which case the head of the family should intimate that it be read in private, and the chapter for secret reading may be used in the family.

4. The metrical version of the Psalms should be read or sung through at least once in the year…If three verses be sung at each diet of family worship, the whole Psalms will be sung through in the year.

5. Let the conversation at family meals often turn upon the chapter read and the psalm sung. Thus every meal will be a Sacrament, being sanctified by the Word and prayer.

6. Let our secret reading prevent the dawning of the day. Let God's voice be the first we hear in the morning. Mark two or three of the richest verses, and pray over every line and word of them. Let the marks be neatly done, never so as to abuse a copy of the Bible.

7. In meeting believers on the street or elsewhere, when an easy opportunity offers, recur to the chapters read that morning. This will be a blessed exchange for those idle words which waste the soul and grieve the Holy Spirit of God. In writing letters to those at a distance, make use of the provision that day gathered.

8. Above all, use the Word as a lamp to your feet and a light to your path—your guide in perplexity—your armor in temptation—your food in times of faintness. Hear the constant cry of the great Intercessor,

"SANCTIFY THEM THROUGH THY TRUTH: THY WORD IS TRUTH."

>>842716

Do all churches try to follow this revised common lectionary?

>>842780

What you mean it "skews liberal"? More liberal churches follow this plan (the ones you showed, for instance)?

Do you have any knowledge of these reading plans, outside America?

From what I've gathered, different denominations(different interpretations) -> different reading plan?

I know its not linear, but would you say that the previous statement is correct?

And personally, do you think following a singular reading plan is helpful? Or might as well let each church decide for herself?

Cheers

>>842906

I just mean that liberal churches tend to use it. This is part of the general trend where the mainline denominations apostatized and newer, less established denominations of conservatives rose up with skepticism of the former institutions.

I don't have any experience with reading plans outside of the US but I don't see why it wouldn't be practiced. Some of our oldest manuscripts are from lectionaries of centuries ago.

I think one should always be on a reading plan. I haven't ever noticed that different denominations would widely vary their plan, it's more about interpretation.

I'm doing a 1 year new testament, Psalms and Proverbs. I think this kind of plan is good, but you need to systematically work through the old testament too. I think sometimes you should just read books of the minor prophets all in one sitting.

>>842908

>I just mean that liberal churches tend to use it. This is part of the general trend where the mainline denominations apostatized and newer, less established denominations of conservatives rose up with skepticism of the former institutions.

I like this. I'm a renewed Christian, was born Catholic and turned Atheist and back again! My slight distaste for powerful institutions, makes it difficult to adhere into a church, even though I would like to.

So, reading plan!

It's good to know that some of these churches, do follow a plan, I thought it was more a free-for-all, pastor chooses what to read before the sermon.

I have been using this Mcheyne plan, which goes through the new testament twice a year, also includes old testament. It has been enjoyable for me, a bit everyday.

Even though there are different interpretations, I think it would be fruitful to join our brothers in our differences, by reading the same things at the same time.

But maybe the Mcheyne plan might be too rough in quantity…

>>842912

Well you're confusing a lectionary with a reading plan. A lectionary would prescribe what is to be read during each service, which is not necessarily the sermon topic. Most churches in my experience do not use a lectionary but the pastor works through series, like a series teaching through acts over 20 weeks then do a different series through Job for 10 weeks or something.

A reading plan is usually a devotional tool

I've been reading the Bible for 2 and a half years and I'm so lazy I'm only at Timothy. I'm going to try to finish this month.

>>842921

Oh I see! Thanks for the clarification.

Since they are both plans, I thought they were one and the same thing.

10 weeks over the same book, seems a little much no? Not that i know, just giving personal opinion.

Maybe Mcheyne plan would be too much for the conventional Christian, but if we had a smaller plan, that goes through the OT and NT at least once a year, the sermons could be aligned with the weekly portion.

Syncing churches through a reading plan (in this context same as church lectionary), each pastor could find a topic in the weekly portion, which they deemed was a good sermon for that week.

Interaction could be spurred by asking questions on the read portions, as the method prescribes!

Do you think pastors would find it hard to follow and prepare? I feel what you described might fall into "I'll do what I know, of Acts and Job".

God bless you anon!

>>842923

>4. A yoke too heavy to bear. Some may engage in reading with alacrity for a time, and afterwards feel it a burden grievous to be borne. They may find conscience dragging them through the appointed task without any relish of the heavenly food. If this be the case with any, throw aside the fetter and feed at liberty in the sweet garden of God. My desire is not to cast a snare upon you, but to be a helper of your joy.

Brother, it has helped me a lot not to chastise myself if I don't read it. I try to read a bit here and there, and this plan gives you 4 chapters a day. You can read what you want tho, if you are not taking grace and feeling the scripture, why read it? Save it for when you are not weary.

I also find comfort in thinking there is always a hidden message applied to a situation I was just in, so if I ever doubt my righteousness, I'll consult the scriptures according to the plan, and read it a little bit. This has allowed me to commune with Father, Jesus and the Holy Spirit a few times a day, and it has made me very joyful, and made feel in their constant presence.

Read little by little brother. Often coming here motivates me to go read more.

God bless