A Scriptural Beginning for the New Year

Written by Diana Davis

Here's a life-changing "Bring-in-the-New-Year" project for your church: Ring in 2008 by reading the entire New Testament aloud as a church. It takes about twenty-four hours to read the New Testament, so you could begin reading at 5 p.m. December 31st and end at 5 p.m. January 1st. Can you think of a better way to start the year?

Fresh Ideas

On a signup chart, list ninety-six 15 minute shifts (or forty-eight half-hour shifts) for your twenty-four-hour period. Ask church members to choose a time to read (for example 6:45 - 7pm, December 31st). Purchase a large-print Bible for the pulpit, but let readers use their own Bible if they prefer.

Each reader should write their name in the margin beside the Scripture where they begin reading, and the Bible may be placed in your church library as part of church history. If readers complete reading the New Testament before the 24-hour period, continue reading in Psalms.

Pastor Jerry Adamson of Indian Heights Baptist in Kokomo, Indiana led his church to read the Bible for 24 hours to dedicate their newly refurbished sanctuary last year. Members read in ten-minute shifts, and hourly instrumental music was featured. They even invited local Christian leaders to participate along with church members. A fire chief, police chief, Baptist state and associational representative, congressional representative, and several neighboring pastors were among guest readers. The church youth group planned a lock-in the same night, and took early morning shifts.

The Pastor read the first and last chapters of the Bible. He did not plan to stay for the entire 24 hours but was so enthralled with the public reading of God's Word by his congregation he could hardly leave! Observers came and went throughout the readings. 1 Timothy 4:13a was printed in large letters by the entrance and beside the Bible: "Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture..."

Participants ranged from eight to eighty years old. Families or couples could dual shifts together and read alternately. Just picture it ... little children, new Christians, new and old church members, single adults, teens, college students home on break. What a beautiful way to begin 2008!

Let your community know what you're doing. A newspaper article emphasizing how much your church loves God's Word could feature a photo of a teenager reading. A sign outside your church could read:

We're bringing in the New Year right!
We’re reading the Bible aloud for 24 hours

Our church opened the millennium New Year by reading through the entire Bible in half-hour shifts (which took eighty hours!). We tape-recorded the readings and took audio tapes to shut-ins afterward.

Make the plan fit your church. Whether you use ten, fifteen or thirty minute shifts, or read New Testament or the entire Bible, God will bless the reading of his Word. I can attest that this project is worth all the effort. God truly spoke to His people.

Take the challenge. "Devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture"! And Happy New Year!

Reprinted from Fresh Ideas from the Indiana Baptist Newspaper. Reprinted by permission.

More "Fresh Ideas" for your ministry are available in these practical books by Diana Davis:

Also, check out Diana's official website at www.keeponshining.com

Diana Davis lives in Indianapolis, where her husband Steve serves as the Executive Director for the State Convention of Baptists in Indiana. A popular women’s conference speaker, Diana has ministered to women’s groups internationally. She especially loves encouraging pastors' wives and deacons’ wives.

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