Growing by reading the New Testament in 2015

Our focus in 2015 will be the kind of growth Paul described in Colossians 2:7: “rooted and built up in Him, established in the faith.” That is what we want: to grow deeper in Christ, and to grow up in Christ so that we have a faith that is strong and stable, as it provides the center point of our life.

This reading plan will help you work through the entire New Testament in one year to fuel that sort of growth. Each week has five readings, giving you space in your schedule to catch up or study other parts of the Scriptures. The key is to establish a regular pattern of time spent with the Word and with God. Consider a 5x5x5 plan for your time with the Lord each day. That would break down to five minutes reading (most chapters in the NT can be read in even less time than that), and then following reading with five minutes of reflection. Ask yourself key questions about the reading like what does this mean, how can I integrate this into my life, what does this teach me about Jesus and how to please Him? Reflecting on the day's reading is essential to growth. Then complete your time with God and His Word with five minutes in prayer. Pray for others and pray for opportunities to live out what you just learned. If practiced regularly, you will soon find these 15 minutes to be the most important minutes in your day.

2015 gives us a tremendous opportunity to be "rooted and built up in Him." Open your Bible, take the time necessary to really spend quality time with God, and you will grow in Christ Jesus!

• Download the 2015 Bible Reading Schedule
• Notes and Applications for Reading the New Testament

Looking for other reading plans the church has used? Check the complete list.