Reading the Bible
The Bible is a collection of sacred writings written over a time-span of more than a thousand years, incorporating stories, poetry, history, religious codes, letters and more. It is no wonder we sometimes have trouble understanding the few verses that are read in worship on Sunday morning, because they often appear out of context. The key to understanding anything is in exposing ourselves to it and seeing it in its context. Through daily exposure to Scripture, we become more familiar with the whole of the Bible and begin to discern the common threads that weave themselves through all of its various kinds of writings.
Martin Luther compared the Bible with the cradle that held the Christ child. Just as that cradle had boards that were crooked and nails that were bent, and just as there was straw and hay in it, so also with the Bible: Not everything in the Bible is “straight forward”, easy to digest, or equally important. But within these sacred writings, God has revealed to us God’s very nature in the person of Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh (John 1:14). God’s Word is ultimately more than a book. It is the living Word of Jesus Christ, speaking to us today, even through the ancient written words.
Here’s a guide to help you read the Bible. It’s based on the Revised Common Lectionary which we use on Sunday mornings in worship. The readings from Monday to Wednesday follow the previous Sunday’s readings and carry their themes further. The readings from Thursday to Saturday anticipate the following Sunday’s readings, helping you prepare for worship. Maybe you can’t read all three every day at first. Start with one and increase over time. Set a routine, such as during breakfast, or after supper, or during lunch break.
The complete daily list of readings (lectionary) is found in the back of our red Evangelical Lutheran Worship book.
You will also find the complete lectionary on the following website of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:
http://www.elca.org/Growing-In-Faith/Worship/Daily-Lectionary/Year-B/Christmas_Daily.aspx
Under “Daily Lectionary” go to the appropriate season in the side bar (Advent, Christmas, etc) and click on it.
or you can find it here:
http://www.trinitycamphill.org/Devotions/DailyLectionary.htm
These are the readings for the month of January, 2012:
Monday, January 2, 2012
Psalm 148
Proverbs 1:1-7
James 3:13-18
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Psalm 110
Proverbs 1:20-33
James 3:13-18
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Psalm 110
Proverbs 3:1-12
James 4:11-17
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Psalm 110
Proverbs 22:1-9
Luke 6:27-31
Friday, January 6, 2012 – Epiphany of Our Lord
Isaiah 60:1-6
Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14
Ephesians 3:1-12
Matthew 2:1-12
Saturday, January 7, 2012
Psalm 29
1 Kings 2:1-4, 10-12
Luke 5:1-11
Sunday, January 8, 2012 – Baptism of Our Lord
Genesis 1:1-5
Psalm 29
Acts 19:1-7
Mark 1:4-11
Monday, January 9, 2012
Psalm 69:1-5, 30-36
Genesis 17:1-13
Romans 4:1-12
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Psalm 69:1-5, 30-36
Exodus 30:22-38
Acts 22:2-16
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Psalm 69:1-5, 30-36
Isaiah 41:14-20
John 1:29-34
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18
Judges 2:6-15
2 Corinthians 10:1-11
Friday, January 13, 2012
Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18
Judges 2:16-23
Acts 13:16-25
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18
1 Samuel 2:21-25
Matthew 15:1-13
Sunday, January 15, 2012 – Epiphany 2
1 Samuel 3:1-10 [11-20]
Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18
1 Corinthians 6:12-20
John 1:43-51
Monday, January 16, 2012
Psalm 86
1 Samuel 9:27-10:8
2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Psalm 86
1 Samuel 15:10-31
Acts 5:1-11
Wednesday, January 18, 2012 – Confession of Peter
Psalm 86
Genesis 16:1-14
Luke 18:15-17
Readings for the Confession of Peter
Acts 4:8-13
Psalm 18:1-6, 16-19
1 Corinthians 10:1-5
Matthew 16:13-19
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Psalm 62:5-12
Jeremiah 19:1-15
Revelation 18:11-20
Friday, January 20, 2012
Psalm 62:5-12
Jeremiah 20:7-13
2 Peter 3:1-7
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Psalm 62:5-12
Jeremiah 20:14-18
Luke 10:13-16
Sunday, January 22, 2012 – Epiphany 3
Jonah 3:1-5, 10
Psalm 62:5-12
1 Corinthians 7:29-31
Mark 1:14-20
Monday, January 23. 2012
Psalm 46
Genesis 12:1-9
1 Corinthians 7:17-24
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Psalm 46
Genesis 45:25-46:7
Acts 5:33-42
Wednesday, January 25, 2012 – Conversion of Paul
Psalm 46
Proverbs 8:1-21
Mark 3:13-19a
Readings for the Conversion of Paul
Acts 9:1-22
Psalm 67
Galatians 1:11-24
Luke 21:10-19
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Psalm 111
Deuteronomy 3:23-29
Romans 9:6-18
Friday, January 27, 2012
Psalm 111
Deuteronomy 12:28-32
Revelation 2:12-17
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Psalm 111
Deuteronomy 13:1-5
Matthew 8:28-9:1
Sunday, January 29, 2012 – Epiphany 4
Deuteronomy 18:15-20
Psalm 111
1 Corinthians 8:1-13
Mark 1:21-28
Monday, January 30, 2012
Psalm 35:1-10
Numbers 22:1-21
Acts 21:17-26
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Psalm 35:1-10
Numbers 22:22-28
1 Corinthians 7:32-40
