Every year we have aspirations and goals. How many of us have made a new year’s resolution to diet or to give up sweets or to go to the gym? I know I have. Focusing on physical health in the new year is a great idea, but what about your spiritual health? Exercising your spiritual muscles is just as important as toning those biceps.

Here’s a challenge for the new year: let’s get your Bible muscles in shape. Let’s increase your spiritual strength and your devotional stamina. In a world of opinions, tweets, and over-sharing, let’s slow down and practice listening to God’s voice.

If you want to take up this challenge, I have a recommendation for a Bible reading plan. Lower Lights Publications of Bedford, Texas, produces a 5-day Bible reading plan every year. This plan organizes each reading chronologically and thematically so that you walk through the Bible’s big story from beginning to end. It is the best way to see the overall flow of the Bible. And most importantly there are only 5 reading days per week. If you miss a day, you have some buffer so that you won’t fall behind.

You can download the 5-day Bible Reading Plan by clicking here.

PERSONAL NOTE: Here’s how I use this tool. I print this plan at 50% size and tape it into the back cover of my Bible. Every time I finish a reading, I cross off the passage with a pen. I like seeing my progress and it is easy to refer to my plan whenever I need it. Most importantly: it usually takes me about 18 months to complete it. Its ok if you move slower than the 1-year pace. The key is that you train yourself to read scripture regularly. No legalism, no guilt. Just get started and enjoy it!