This objection is probably not one that most of us would speak out loud. However, somewhere within our hearts we hear the false whisper, You already know God, why do you need to know more about him? Our feelings of adequacy in our understanding are probably the most convincing evidence of how little we know about God. Paul (who clearly knew God) told the Philippians, “I want to know Christ” (Phil. 3:10, NIV). The most mature saints are often the ones who realize how little they know of God.

I’m in the third week considering the importance of reading the Bible through in a year. For the past two weeks, I’ve shared some of the general benefits and specific benefits. Today, I’m going to spend some time considering possible objections. I know you have them. I have them too. Every time I begin a Bible reading plan, I find myself apprehensive. Honestly, it’s a bit like committing to train for a marathon. I just don’t want to do it.

So, let’s take some of the objections that might be spinning around in your head (and mine) and go through them.

Objection 1: I don’t have time

I know. I know. It’s so difficult to think about adding anything into your already crammed full, struggling to survive kind of days. I feel it too. Life takes a lot of time: there’s work to be done, friends to see, books to read, and pleasures to be enjoyed. We have to be brave enough to speak this truth to ourselves:

I do not have a busyness problem. I have a belief problem.

We spend our lives on what we really believe will bring satisfaction. If it is our families, then we will make our homes the center of our world. If it is our work, we will scramble and work until all hours of the night to get it done. If it is our comforts, we will seek food, vacations, entertainment, and pleasures to try and fill ourselves. We are thirsty creatures seeking satisfaction. We take a drink from whatever fount we most believe will give us relief.

You need Jesus. Fight for time with Him. Believe that He is the One thing needed and trust Him for everything else. And know this…He will not make you lack in the other areas in which you long. He will fill them in such a beautiful way that you will be more joyful in your relationships, work, and comforts because you have first found your satisfaction in Him.

Objection 2: I always end up quitting and I feel like a failure

That’s OK. Perfection is not the goal. Maybe this year you’ll make it a little further than last year. And maybe next year you’ll finish. Don’t quit before you’ve already begun because you’re concerned about failure. You can do this and it’s worth every attempt.

If you’ve struggled with Bible reading plans in the past, I encourage you to grab a few friends and try to read it through together. Our assistant pastor did this with about twenty of us a few years ago. Once every few months he would check in and see how it was going and we would share with one another what we were learning and how we were doing. Just like exercise is easier when you do it with a friend, committing to a Bible reading plan is better within community. Perhaps this will be the year you’ll enjoy Bible reading more than any other. Don’t let fear of failure keep you from enjoying God in new ways.

Objection 3: Isn’t it somewhat legalistic?

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