Read with Me Challenge: Some Ground Rules
January 4, 2010
I am SO EXCITED about our Read with Me challenge! If I’ve added correctly, our “handful of friends” includes 20 gorgeous ladies. How cool is that? I get giddy just thinking of the possibilities for this year. God promises that He will be found when people seek Him. He promises that where two or three are gathered together, there He is in the midst of them. Imagine what we’ll witness in the next 360 days by seeking Him together. Not two or three, but twenty. Not one or two random passages, but the whole Bible. Are you with me? Are you excited?
Before I go any further, let me answer some questions.
Q: Is it too late to join?
A: Absolutely not! The “program” we’re using (click here for the schedule) only includes 25 readings per month. That means we have plenty of grace built in. For the month of January, we have 6 extra days (31 days – 25 readings = 6 days of grace). Since today is January 4th, you could wait two more days to start and still not be behind!
Q: I’m not on twitter. Is that okay?
A: Yes. So far our group includes tweeps, facebookers, bloggers and … well, I’m sure there are others who aren’t socially networked. Everyone is welcome!
Q: Do I have to do the same program as you? What if I’ve already started a different read-through-the-Bible-in-a-year schedule?
A: No, you don’t have to do the same one. The purpose of our group is simply to provide accountability toward the same goal. The means toward that end can vary, as long as we stay focused on the same goal: to read both Old and New Testaments in 2010.
Q: Is everyone reading the same version? Which one should I use?
A: Not everyone is reading the same version. Use whichever one you want. You don’t even have to restrict yourself to one. I love comparing different versions of Scripture and will likely use several throughout this year. Remember some versions are translations (like the NET and the NASB) while others are paraphrases (like ESV, NIrV and The Message). So far I’ve used The Message for this challenge. I never use The Message for in depth studies (I use NASB or NET for those), but I don’t want to glaze over the more familiar text. You know you better than we do. Choose the version you prefer. If it isn’t working, find one that does.
Q: Can I really do this? I’ve tried before and I always fail. I don’t want to sign up again, just to drop-out … again.
A: YOU CAN DO THIS! I promise. How many novels do we read a year? How many blog pages and newspapers and magazines do we read each year? The whole Bible is about 1200 pages. That’s only three or four novels worth. Still sound like too much? With this schedule, it only takes about 20 minutes a day. You. Can. Do. It.
Q: Are we really going to keep each other accountable? How?
A: Well, let’s talk about it …
I’m not a huge fan of rules, especially when it comes to spiritual endeavors, but I can be a bit OCD when it comes to organization. We have other causes for rules, too. This group is primarily online. We won’t see each other face-to-face. We won’t run into one another at church or while dropping our kids off at school. So how do we actually stay on top of one another? How do we get and stay connected?
I need accountability as much as each of you, so we’re all going to have to do our part. I’ll try to encourage and spur you when the going gets tough, and I’ll need you to do the same to me.
Here’s how it’s going to work:
You can use any schedule, any version and any pace you choose, but you must check in with the group one way or another at least once a month. This site (www.TanyaDennisBooks.com — a.k.a. “In the Dailies”) will be our hub.
We’ll have a “weigh-in” here every Friday. Stop by, leave a comment about your progress and/or which passages said something to you that week. (If you have a better way to say this, please let me know. I understand “weigh-in” doesn’t sit well with most of us!)
BLOGGERS: Feel free to post thoughts on your site then link up here. I’ll include a Mr. Linky (or something similar) in my Friday posts. That way we can easily blog-hop to see how everyone is and what we’ve discovered. Feel free to grab our button and add it to your sidebar. (Please note: I am NOT a graphic designer, so if the image doesn’t fit properly, I probably can’t help. 
I had to jimmy it a bit to get it to fit in my own sidebar. If any of you are graphically gifted, please feel free to share your talents!!)
TWITTER: If you’re on twitter, follow our group. Click here for the direct link. Then, from now on, when you tweet, be sure to check in on the group, see how everyone is doing. If someone is having a rough day, share some encouragement.
FACEBOOK: I’m still researching the logistics of a group there. If and when I start one, I’ll let you know.
I think that’s it. If I’ve missed anything or if you have any ideas, please share! (My husband thinks we should have badges and awards. You know, like the Girl Scouts or something. We could post special ribbons or buttons when we reach certain milestones.)
Just so you know, here is a list of people who have signed-on. I’m not quite sure what to call you all since I only know some of your real names. Also, I’ve not included any last names for facebook people. You know who you are. Please let me know if the list is incorrect or incomplete. Also, if you have a website and I’ve not given you a link, leave us a url in the comments so we know where to find you.
- Me (Obviously!) Tanya @ In the Dailies
- Kellie @ La Vida Dulce
- Gretchen @ Jewels in my Crown Someday
- Whimzie @ Snoodlings
- Mer @ Life at 7000 Feet
- Jessica @ My Fuller Life
- Jennifer
- Stephanieshep @ Olive Tree
- Hippychick_
- Heather
- Jennifer (Zaankali) @ Zaankali’s Adventures
- Sooji
- Dori
- Rebecca @ This Crazy Life
- Melissa @ Breath of Life
- Kristy @ Learning as They Grow
- Robin @ A Little Bit Country
- Tiffani @ Bears & Belles
- Penny @ A Penny for my Thoughts
- Carpoolqueen
- Kendra @ Kendra’s Keepings
- O Mom @ From Home to High School
- Adrienne
- Kadia
- Tricia @ Life is an Adventure … This is Ours.
- Deidre @ For Such a Time as This
- Sarah
- Elizabeth @ Finding Him Bigger
- Mindy @ Ponderings of the Heart
- Mary Jo
- Katie @ It’s Always an Adventure with Dave
Last word … WOO-HOO!!
Entry Filed under: Bible Reading. Tags: Bible Reading Challenge.
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1.
Penny Clemons | January 4, 2010 at 7:14 PM
I want to be part of the reading group, but my name isn’t on the list. Is it because I didn’t give a URL? This is my blog address. Is that the same as a URL?
2.
tanyasue | January 4, 2010 at 7:54 PM
Hey, Penny! I’m glad you’re joining us! Sorry I missed you. I’ll add you right away.
3.
stephanie | January 4, 2010 at 8:02 PM
Sounds good! My blog name is actually Olive Tree, but it’s nothing to die over!
4.
tanyasue | January 4, 2010 at 9:16 PM
I saw the “Olive Tree” but I also saw something about “Christmas 2009″, so I didn’t know if you change your banner regularly. Sorry! I’ll fix it. It’s nice to “meet” you!
5.
Melissa @ Breath of Life | January 4, 2010 at 8:50 PM
A Facebook group isn’t hard to do. I did that with a Bible study last year. I can walk you through it if you’d like. Email me if you want me to help.
6.
tanyasue | January 4, 2010 at 9:23 PM
I think I figured it out, but I may email you tomorrow.
In the meantime, here’s what I’ve got: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=263502270086&ref=mf#/group.php?v=wall&ref=mf&gid=263502270086
Should I keep it “closed” to protect privacy? Or is that unnecessary? Any thoughts?
7.
kellie@LaVidaDulce | January 4, 2010 at 9:41 PM
YAY! This is going to be so much fun! I’ve already enjoyed reading over the last 4 days and look forward to walking this bible reading journey with you and the Gals!
8.
carpoolqueen | January 4, 2010 at 9:44 PM
Add me to the list, please!
9.
rmarch979 | January 4, 2010 at 9:54 PM
rmarch979 is Rebecca and my blog is beccamarch.wordpress.com. Thanks for letting me join!
10.
Gretchen | January 4, 2010 at 11:42 PM
What an encouragement to see so many names. We can do it, girls.
11.
sooji | January 5, 2010 at 8:27 AM
so encouraged to see so many on the list…….
started yesterday, so the ‘grace’ built in is gonna come in handy for me this month.
12.
whimzie | January 5, 2010 at 9:54 AM
It’s officially a party, baby!! I was nervous about the rules, but I think these are do-able.
What about a “read-in” or a “page count” or a “Howyadoin’?”
13.
O mom | January 5, 2010 at 10:39 AM
Add me to the list! I hesitated at first because I did this last year, on my own, and somewhere along the way i stopped, but I love the idea of all this encouragement. Plus I couldn’t stop thinking about it. Just printed the bookmarkers!
14.
adrienne | January 5, 2010 at 3:50 PM
oh I do think I need to join this group of bible reading girls! can I still join? I found out you were attempting this on mer’s blog. apparently cpq was keeping this to herself. i’m sure it slipped her mind since she was probably knee-deep in moroccan meatballs… My 10 year old daughter was in shock when she found out I have not read the bible cover to cover. It’s time. I’ve been feeling “homesick” lately. And no, I have not been away from home. I think it’s God calling me.
Sign me up. I have no blog, much to CPQ’s disappointment. I am on FB and email (ajelderks@comcast.net) and I’ll read your blogs and check in. I’ll be using NLT and the Message. I’m excited!!
15.
Psalm 1 « In the Dailies | January 6, 2010 at 9:47 AM
[...] We started the Read with Me challenge last week. (By the way, if you’re still on the fence, jump in! The grass is green, and we’re having a party. Oooh, a PARTY!! We should totally plan a party when we finish this. Road trip anyone? Oh, how fun!! Who wants to be in charge of planning that? — Okay, tangent aborted. If you’re still on the fence, you should totally join us. You can start today and still be okay! Don’t go back to Day 1; Save those for your grace days at the end of the month. We have plenty to keep us from getting overwhelmed. Click here for full details.) [...]
16.
triciahull | January 7, 2010 at 4:21 AM
ohh me too!!
found you all via Meredith’s blog.
I was thinking about attempting to do this on my own and then I clicked over to Mer’s blog and saw the group!
I live in rural Alaska, and love the idea of accountability via social network.
I’m starting tomorrow.
17. Simply Random Thursday « Life is an adventure….this is ours. | January 7, 2010 at 2:02 PM
[...] Have you ever read through the Bible in a year? I never have. I’m not sure that I’ve ever even attempted to. This year that is one of my goals. I have the time. Trust me, I have lots of time these days. And I really want to. Last night I was blog surfing and went to my cyber friend Meredith’s blog. She had posted about a group of people that were reading through the Bible in a year. So I invited myself to join along. This is the reading plan. I am excited! Care to join in? [...]
18.
Deidre | January 8, 2010 at 5:29 PM
Oh, I wanna join!
I’m already reading the One Year Bible, so I think I’ll stick with that plan. I did this last year and loved it. I love the accountability here!
19.
Sarah | January 9, 2010 at 10:15 AM
Sign me up!!!!
20.
Elizabeth | January 9, 2010 at 11:45 AM
I’m signing up late, and starting the reading late, but I’m on board. Not sure yet how to find the group on facebook but I will, and I plan to blog about it too.
Thank you for this opportunity for accountability! I don’t have that right now where I am, and it is much needed. Going to start my first reading now!
21.
Read with Me: I’m still reading! « In the Dailies | February 4, 2010 at 10:07 PM
[...] been missing the last couple weeks. If you need a reminder of who’s who, check out this post. You’ll find a list toward the [...]
22.
Read with Me Check-In « In the Dailies | March 13, 2010 at 6:06 AM
[...] you aren’t sure what the “Read with Me” challenge is, check out this link. You can also go there for a list of who is [...]
23.
Here Burns My Candle « In the Dailies | April 14, 2010 at 7:11 PM
[...] about road trips, home improvements, real estate adventures, and what I’m learning through Read with Me, but I don’t feel like talking about any of those things today. Don’t worry — [...]
24.
Gladitudes « In the Dailies | May 26, 2010 at 2:40 PM
[...] there, but consistency somehow fell by the wayside. Thanks to the insane stress of real estate, the Read with Me challenge (Thank you, Kellie, for making me do this!), and all our current life decisions, [...]