I don’t think the particular plan matters, just that you use one. And if you grow weary of one plan, switch to another one! Being in the Word regularly, and covering the whole of Scripture are the two aspects that count.

There are lots of plans available. For starters, check out these web sites:

BiblePlan.org
BibleGateway.com
Bible-Reading.com
NavPress.com
A terrific list compiled on Squidoo

One significant tip: Get on the same reading plan as someone else, or a small group of people, and share what you are learning. If you know you’re going to be having a conversation about it, you’ll (a) be more likely to keep reading, and (b) actually learn more.

Glenn Brooke is the author of several books for Bible teachers, including Teach the Bible to Change Lives. He has coached thousands of Bible teachers to be more effective. Paperback version is available here.

As part of the leadership team for the ESV Study Bible, one thing I wanted to make sure we included was a number of charts, because they can be helpful visual aids to make explicit the logical organization in a chapter. 

In an earlier post on Asking Questions of the Bible, I suggested asking texts the journalistic questions (who, what, when, where, why, how).

Putting your answers in a chart allows you to see quickly the contrasts and similarities that the author is highlighting.

For example, take Hebrews 1:1-2a:

Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son. . . .

It’s easy to read that quickly. But instead of skimming it, try breaking it down so that you can slow down and see more:

*implied

You can then move on to vv. 2b-3:

. . . whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high. . . .

Here, instead of a chart, it might help simply to list the seven things that the author is affirming about who Jesus is and what he has done:

Jesus is the God-appointed messianic heir of all things.

Jesus is the creator of the world.

Jesus is the radiance of God’s glory.

Jesus is the exact imprint of God’s nature.

Jesus is the upholder of the universe by his powerful word.

Jesus is the one who made purification for our sins.

Jesus is now seated at the right hand of God, the Majesty on high.

I haven’t added much to what the wording of the text says—just a clarifying word or two. But the value here is simply to “unpack” the contents—which can help us to meditate upon these distinct aspects of Christ’s splendor and work.

Another way to meditate on Christ’s work in this passage is to put it through the grid of prophet-priest-king:

So my suggestion: get your Bible and try to make a chart today.

Article printed from Justin Taylor: http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/justintaylor

URL to article: http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/justintaylor/2009/12/02/bible-tip-make-a-chart/

URLs in this post:

Asking Questions of the Bible: http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/justintaylor/2009/11/18/asking-good-questions-of-the-bible/

To learn more about how to teach the Bible you should take a look at Glenn Brooke’s course Teach the Bible to Change Lives. He has coached thousands of Bible teachers to be more effective.