by Bret Capranica | Dec 31, 2010 | Reading
I love reading through Scripture each year. If you are considering an annual trek through the Scriptures, you may find some of the other approaches linked here to be of use. Here are a number of Bible reading plans: Begin in Genesis and read about 4 chapters a day, 5 on Sunday. I forget where I first heard about this one, but it was the first plan I used years ago, and it proved very helpful. Discipleship Journal Annual Plan. I’ve used this plan for about the past three years. It keeps you in the Gospels all year, the Old Testament writings all year, and also takes you through the rest of the Old Testament and New Testament within the year. I like staying in the Gospels throughout the year, meditating on the life of Christ in small portions, while moving more steadily and quickly through the rest of Scripture. The drawback is being in 4 different locations within the Bible each day. Some find it difficult to maintain the context of each section. M”™Cheyne Plan. This one has been around awhile and was made available by Robert Murray M”™Cheyne. It takes you through the entire Bible in one year, with reading in the morning and in the evening. Family Plan. This annual plan gives you a portion of the Scripture to read through for family devotions while also providing a section for your personal time of meditation in the Scriptures. Denny Burk Plan. Here is one Dr. Denny Burk (Boyce College) put up recently, taking you through the Bible about 4 chapters a day through the year. Shorter Plans....
by Bret Capranica | Dec 30, 2010 | Reading
I think you should read your Bible through each year. However, this post is not to suggest that those who do not choose an annual Bible Reading plan are somehow doomed to a spiritual wasteland. Simply put, we need to be reading our Bibles. I am also not suggesting that this approach to reading Scripture should replace detailed study of Scripture. I am merely suggesting a few reasons I have found it helpful to read through the Bible each year. New Translations. I rarely read the same translation for my annual reading. I generally start a new translation of the Scripture with each year”™s beginning. I have found this helps me think more critically of a given passage and how it may differ from a more well-known translation (I read through the Holman Christian Standard Version this year). I also find myself less tethered to the physical location of passages in my Bible (i.e., “oh, that verse was on the top left corner of the page about ¾ of the way through John), and more tied to the chapter and verse. It allows me greater dexterity in remembering where significant passages are located. Full Perspective. Reading through the entire Bible every year helps me develop a mindset of seeing the details in light of the whole of Scripture. Context. Regularly reading through large swaths of Scripture helps me to see each portion within the context of its given book. So, when I pray through my reading devotionally, I have a Spirit-inspired context from which to think through how to apply the passage”™s God-originated intent. Non-Neglect. I can”™t neglect any...
by Bret Capranica | Aug 28, 2009 | Reading
If I only had the time to work on this . . . Well, I may give this a careful, slow read. What do you think? Is speed reading really a beneficial tool when comprehension and retention are major goals? Scientific Speed Reading: How to Read 300% Faster in 20...
by Bret Capranica | Jun 14, 2009 | Miscellaneous, Reading, Technology
Uber blogger Tim Challies suggests that my using my iPhone Bible while listening to a sermon is not really a good idea and may have a detrimental effect on my actually deepening my understanding of and dexterity in using my Bible. I confess, I like using the Bible on my phone (I’ve done it for many years) while listening to a sermon. It is easier for me to take notes. I also use Bible software while studying and preparing for sermons. Most of my intake of Scripture is with a physical copy of the Scriptures. I do think there is something to be gained by using a physical rather than electronic Bible in regular reading, studying and teaching of Scripture. But times and people seem to be changing in the way they take in information. The electronic world seems to be utilized more and more. A good friend of mine does all of his devotional reading with his computer and even sends out his devotionals electronically to a e-mail subscription group. He has done it for many years and does not seem to be any the worse for it. I wish I had his discipline and depth of devotion. Give Challies’ article a read and let me know what you think. Do you do much reading online or through a PDA, smart phone, Kindle, etc.? Don’t Take Your iPod to Church! :: books, reading, technology :: A Reformed, Christian...
by Bret Capranica | Mar 27, 2009 | Miscellaneous, Personal, Reading
Ever wonder what tends to shape the mental meanderings of THE CAPRANICA? Welcome, THE CAP-STORE! Through the beauty of the web and the world that is Amazon, THE CAPRANICA can now offer an online store to house books and resources reflective of my personal tastes, convictions, enjoyments, hobbies, interests, etc. THE CAP-STORE is only in its beginning states so far, but will be ever expanding to include books and products you can purchase that have perhaps been reviewed or highlighted here at THE CAPRANICA. Or you can simply reference some of the materials I find intriguing or would recommend reading. Click over to THE CAP-STORE through the link at the top of the page and begin to peruse the...
by Bret Capranica | Dec 29, 2008 | Reading
Great article by former adviser Karl Rove on the current President’s reading habits. Karl Rove Says George W. Bush Is a Book Lover – WSJ.com
