Bible Challenge

Meet the Bible Challenge!

Have you always wanted to read the Bible cover to cover, but felt overwhelmed? Not sure where to start, or how to get through the boring parts? You're not alone!

And you're also ready to meet The Bible Challenge, a one year schedule of reading the books of the Bible in sequence and ensuring that a psalm and a portion of the New Testament are read each day. Bishop Shannon S. Johnston is inviting everyone in the Diocese of Virginia to join people and dioceses throughout the Episcopal Church and across the wider Anglican Communion to participate.

"The Bible Challenge is a unique opportunity for us to meet a goal that should be part of every Christian's life: to become more familiar with the Bible and to have Holy Scripture become more a part of our lives," says Bishop Johnston.

Whether you are a seasoned Bible reader or consider yourself a novice, the discipline of thoughtful and intentional daily reading of the Bible can shape and form us in ways we cannot imagine. And this shared practice of joining together in faithful discipline is one way to deepen our community as St. James' and as the Diocese of Virginia. It's not too late to start!

The Center for Biblical Studies, a group started by the clergy and people of St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Ft. Washington, PA, has designed The Bible Challenge. They encourage readers to read portions of the Bible Monday through Saturday, and assume that on Sunday they will be in church hearing the Scriptures read aloud. Each Sunday in the announcements, we'll publish the readings for the following week.

Ready to meet the Challenge?

Click here for the readings for each day.

Learn more via the Diocese website.

"Blessed Lord, who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen."