In writing my daily Bible reading journal, I opted for a two-page layout comprising a journal note of the reading for the day, a ponder and meditate to reflect on the lesson(s) learned, and sometimes an additional interesting fact when there's a related cultural or textual fact that is helpful for a better appreciation of the scripture involved.
An example:
Day 64 of the New Testament in 77 Days covers Hebrews 8-10. Since Hebrews is an epistle that describes the "better things" that Christ had accomplished in comparison to the Old Testament priesthood and sacrifices, the focus is to help readers understand what the writer is driving at when presenting his arguments.
Reading bits and pieces of a chapter will not let a Christian see the full extent or impact that the writer hoped to achieve, much like reading a personal letter in a fragmented way. There must be continuity to see the flow of thought, so reading three full chapters (8-10) is a necessity.
It may not be easy at first, especially for those who like to nibble here and there. But if we have the discipline and perseverance, we will reap the full spiritual benefits that comes from a systematic reading of the Word of God.
And as I stated in my Foreword, it is my intention to help readers rediscover the joy of reading the Bible, and find gems that will have them coming back for more!
