New Year’s resolution to read the Bible makes God’s Word more down to earth

Allen Macartney
Special to Spur Ottawa

By early March, most New Year’s resolutions are long forgotten. All too often the January diet turned into a February Big Mac, while the gym membership card collects dust on a shelf somewhere. But a group from Gloucester Presbyterian Church have a different story. One member in particular found their resolution life changing.

Every year church members participate in a rather unique resolution: “The New Year’s Challenge.” Participants read a large chunk of the Bible in the month of January.

“This was my first year to go for the challenge,” says Matty Tito. “I was very excited, but also a bit worried. I have two young children at home. Where was I going to find the time? Somehow I did and it was worth it!”

This year, the challenge was to read both 1 and 2 Samuel and 1 and 2 Corinthians by January 31.

“I enjoyed the stories from 1 and 2 Samuel, like David and Goliath and the story of Bathsheba,” Tito says, “but I really connected with 1 and 2 Corinthians. Those books really spoke to me and continue to help me deal with things I’m living through.”

Tito says when she was young she was forced to read the Bible. Participating in the challenge, though, was different.

“I developed a hunger for more,” she explains. “The Bible is so practical for living, even though it was written many centuries ago. Sometimes when I was reading Corinthians I was amazed that it was touching issues so personal and practical. It’s God’s living Spirit.”

When a large group from the church community is reading the same Bible stories, at the same time, somehow it makes the challenge easier. Tito says it brings a collective energy that helps you keep going and knits the church together.

“The reading was good, but also frustrating,” she explains. “Many times I wanted to stop, write down questions, and ask our pastor about them. But there wasn’t time if I wanted to finish all four books in one month. So I pressed on and completed the reading. Now I’m re-reading the books much more slowly so I can think about the words and absorb more.”

In early February the church held a celebration for those who succeeded. Everyone was invited and those who completed the challenge (including Tito) had their name written on a special cake. The idea behind the challenge and celebration is to help people engage scripture and inspire them to go deeper.

“I got much more out of the reading than I was expecting. It was cool. It helped me see immediate life issues from a different perspective,” Tito says. “Reading a chunk of the Bible is a great way to start the New Year and it’s bound to help draw you closer to God.”