Analysis Paralysis

Have you ever wanted to read through the entire Bible but didn’t know where to start?

We ask questions like “Should I begin in Genesis 1 and read straight through Revelation 22? Or should I read chronologically? What if I read random books one at a time until I’ve read them all?”

For many people, we get stuck right there–in analysis paralysis. We get so bogged down in the questions of where and how to start that we never actually take the most important step: starting!

We all know reading the Bible is one of the most important and valuable things we can do to grow our faith and invest in our relationship with God, so in this new year, don’t focus on the minute details of reading through the Bible. Let go of the pressure we put on ourselves, keep it simple, and pick up your Bible each day.

To help you in that endeavor, and for those who need a little accountability in your daily Bible reading, Bellevue has several helpful resources! You can pick up a free One Year Bible plan at the Information Center to help you read through the entire Bible, or you can download the plan at bellevue.org/bible. Keep the plan with your Bible or journal. You can also purchase a One Year Bible (New Living Translation) from the Bellevue Bookstore, located in the West Lobby next to the Café. Each day includes readings from the Old Testament, New Testament, Psalms, and Proverbs.

Another great resource is Bellevue’s Bible Challenge, which encourages you to read one chapter from the Bible each day. To compliment your reading, you also receive a daily email with a devotional from Contemporary Worship Pastor Steve Wiggins. You can register for that plan here.

When we read, study, meditate on, and memorize the Word of God, our hearts, minds, and lives are transformed to be more like Christ’s.

In 2 Timothy 3:16, we read, “All Scripture is inspired by God and beneficial for teaching, for rebuke, for correction, for training in righteousness.” So this year–and more specifically, each and every day–we trust and believe God will use His word to teach, rebuke, correct, and train you.

There are many other plans and methods for reading your Bible. Don’t let analysis paralysis stop you from reading God’s Word in 2021…and letting it read you.

“So will My word be which goes out of My mouth; it will not return to Me empty, without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the purpose for which I sent it.” Isaiah 55:11