Have you ever been confused about how to read the Bible? Have you looked for a reading plan to help your children develop the habit of morning worship?
I have.
A few years ago my husband and I were searching for a Bible reading plan for our children. They were starting to read novels on their own and it was time to teach them about reading the Bible. We tried a number of options, but nothing worked. We wanted a simple, straightforward guide that included a chosen Bible passage, a hymn, and a prayer. We couldn’t find one. So we wrote our own.
We create and print a Morning Worship Guide each quarter for our children and our church family. As soon as our children can read, we buy them their own Bible, give them a hymnal, and teach them how to follow the guide. We want them to develop a life-long habit of daily worship. I haven’t included the whole quarterly booklet here, but I have created a streamlined version for October. Check it out here:
Other options
As our children have grown, we’ve noticed that they needed other options for morning worship. So when they start 7th grade, we train them to use the 1928 Book of Common Prayer. My husband uses this for his daily worship, so he is able to train them and discuss what they’ve been reading.
What do I do? Well, I don’t use the Book of Common Prayer but I realized I needed a plan or a system. As the trials and triumphs of marriage, motherhood, homeschooling, and ministry created the chaos of our daily life – I lost myself in them. The quiet, uninterrupted 3-hour time blocks were gone. The sleepless nights and long days of parenting clouded my mind. The joy of scripture became an obligation. I needed God’s Word in my life, but I also needed help getting back on track.
I tried many bible study books and complex reading systems. I always fell off the wagon. It was exhausting.
Until I was inspired to start the 21/21 plan.
It’s simple and looks like this:
I read 2 Old Testament chapters (yes, I started at Genesis 1) and 1 Psalm/Proverb.
I then turn to the New Testament to read 2 chapters from a Gospel or Acts and 1 chapter from the remaining letters.
So, I called it the 21/21 plan.
I keep a sticky tab where I stop in each section. When I finish all the chapters of a section, I start over. If my time is short, I can read in any section and pick back up with the 2.1/2.1 the next day.
Easy peasy. Feel free to use it!