He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose.

- Jim Elliot

God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,
though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam,
though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah

(Psalm 46:1-3 ESV)

Not self-conscious nor self-confident, a Christian is liberated to be self-forgetful.

- Tim Keller

The cross which is the object of faith, is also, by the power of the Holy Spirit, the cause of it. Sit down and watch the dying Saviour till faith springs up spontaneously in your heart. There is no place like Calvary for creating confidence. The air of that sacred hill brings health to trembling faith.

- Charles Spurgeon

Oh, that we might worship the terrible wonder of the love of God! It is not sentimental. It is not simple. For our sake God did the impossible: He poured out his wrath on his own Son—the one whose submission made him infinitely unworthy to receive it. Yet the Son’s very willingness to receive it was precious in God’s sight. The wrath-bearer was infinitely loved.

- John Piper

Obviously, there is not just one approach that stands alone as “best,” and you may be pursuing some other form of Bible study in your devotional life at the moment that is healthy and does not need to be abandoned to pursue a reading through the Bible. At the same time, it seems right that believers should be regularly reading through the whole Bible, growing in their understanding of the big picture, their knowledge of God, and their understanding of themselves as sinners rescued by grace.

Of the approaches to reading through Scripture, here are four possible ideas.

1. Using D.A. Carson’s book,For the Love of God. (Available free online as a blog.) This book is based on M’Cheyne’s daily readings which take you through the Psalms and New Testament twice and the rest of the Old Testament once during the year. Reading usually four chapters daily from four different books, the plan is accompanied by Carson’s insights into one of the readings in a “devotional” that will build in the reader a stronger grasp of biblical theology.

2. Reading through the Bible straight up. Starting at Genesis and reading to Revelation is one of the most logical approaches. Averaging 3-4 chapters a day will get you through with some time to spare.

3. Reading through the Bible chronologically. With a little searching on the internet, you can come up with a reading plan that is in order. The approach is most helpful in placing the Old Testament books within their historical framework.

4. Reading with Tim Challies and 1600 others – the ’3650 Challenge.’ In one of the more intense plans out there, Tim Challies has promoted this approach for the coming year which leads the reader through ten chapters of the Bible daily, resulting in multiple readings which vary by book by the end of the year.

Whatever your approach, have a plan and stick to it. Know yourself and your limitations, but also challenge yourself to increase over your current comfort zone

Let us ever bear in mind that our blessed Saviour humbled and abased Himself, yielding even to the contemptuous death on the cross, for the comfort of us poor, miserable and damned creatures.

- Martin Luther

How is the incarnation related to the mission of God and subsequently the mission of the church? Think in terms of both theology and practice.

Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.”  –John 20:21

How does the incarnation demonstrate the humility of God, not just the humility of Jesus but the humility of the Father, Son, and Spirit?

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.  –Philippians 2:5-11

How does the incarnation affect how we understand the glory of God?

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.  –John 1:14

The apostle Paul, who beyond all others is the exponent of grace and redemption, never disassociates God’s grace from God’s crucified Son. Always in his teachings the two are found together, organically one and inseparable.

- A. W. Tozer