An Invitation to read the New Testament

Have you ever wanted to really dig into the Bible?  I know I have.  The first time I got serious about Bible reading, I was in high school.  I really wanted to know more about the book I had read bits about in Sunday School, so I started in Genesis and just started plowing through it.  I believe that by the time I got to Leviticus, I was mighty discouraged.  I may have given up in the middle of Numbers.

My plan failed for many reasons.  One was that perhaps it's not a good idea to start in Genesis.  (Although Genesis does have some very good stories in it.)  Another was that I was reading by myself, and didn't have anyone to talk with when I got to parts I didn't understand.

Some of us are going to read the New Testament together beginning in June.  There will be a 90-day guide, which you can download here, where you can check off what you have read, and catch up if you get behind.  There will be a number of us who are reading together, and we'll have opportunities to check in and ask questions.  I'll also be posting a blog every day about the readings as well.  You can check either Grace's website or the facebook group I will create to find the readings.

So what do you need?  You will need a Bible, of course.  You can choose a familiar translation, or find a Bible in a translation that is more unfamiliar to you.  Last time I used the Common English Bible (CEB).  I also like Eugene Peterson's The Message, which reads somewhat like a paraphrase.

You might find a study Bible helpful, one with notes at the bottom of the page.  You might find it helpful to get a Bible with wide margins so that you can write or underline.  Or you might find it useful to get a separate journal to write your reflections.  But all that is up to you.

Join us, and join the conversation!  We'll begin on June 1st, with Matthew 1-3. 

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