8. The Importance of Daily Bible Reading
The practice of reading the Bible from the
chapters listed in the “Bible Companion” has been a feature of the
Christadelphian community for many generations.
This practice is a good one to follow, and we
should not be put off by the fear of its becoming a habit. There are, after all,
good traditions to follow, as Paul often reminds his readers, and the daily
reading of the Scriptures is one of these. Whether the tables of readings are
followed or not, it is still true, as Robert Roberts said in his introduction to
the Companion, that “salvation depends upon the assimilation of the mind
to the divine ideas, principles, and affections exhibited in the
Scriptures”.
This is therefore a plea to all of us, both young
and old, not to neglect the reading of the Word of God, whatever system of
reading we follow. May it long continue to be the practice in our homes to read
our chapters as a natural part of each day, and when we meet in one
another’s homes, let us get out our Bibles and “do the
readings” together. There is no better way of promoting a good discussion
of things worth talking about, and of leading us away from mere gossip and small
talk.
Other Methods
The new believer has at hand several methods of
daily Bible reading. The one most widely used by Christadelphians is embodied in
Robert Roberts’ “Bible Companion”, as mentioned above. Also
available are two other Bible Reading Charts which also cover the Old Testament
once and the New Testament twice in the course of a single year. While the Bible
Companion accomplishes this by three rather short readings each day, from
different parts of the Bible, the other plans concentrate on only one (somewhat
longer) portion each day. This has the distinct advantage of continuity in
reading. That is, an entire letter or short prophecy, or an entire connected
section of a longer book, may be read straight through, without the artificial
(and sometimes confusing) division into one or two chapters per
day.
Whatever plan is used, it is certainly true that
systematic daily Bible reading is essential if one is to discover — and
remember — God’s revelation of Himself and His purpose. Bible
believers neglect the daily readings only with extreme peril to their spiritual
lives.
