by Nate Howard
The New Year is around the corner, and with it, the natural bent toward new starts, new plans, new intentions. Some of us have a principle-based aversion to New Year’s resolutions, while others see the new calendar year as an opportunity to explore something different or try something new. Without making any kind of statement about the pros and cons of action plans for the new year, I thought I’d pass along some ideas on developing new habits of listening to Jesus. My hope is to start a conversation about how we can lean in to Jesus’ counsel as we move into a new year.
ONE-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN
I’m guessing you have done some sort of Bible reading plan and, the truth is, there are many options available. During 2020, Sharon and I teamed up with my brother (IW in Africa) and others and used this guide. This plan’s variation from the numerous plans out there is that it is laid out in a way that you read daily from four different Biblical genres: 1) Old Testament Historical/prophets; 2) Poetry; 3) Gospel/Acts and 4) Epistles. You get Sundays “off.” Last year, my brother also created a text thread so all the participants were able to interact as they desired throughout the year when something significant stood out in our reading. One thing that surprised us was how this rather random approach to reading the Bible resulted in such serendipitous connections. There were times that all four readings carried a common theme. That made the adventure kind of fun.
AN INTRODUCTION TO PURITAN GEMS
Ok, I know not everyone wants to slog through the vocabulary of books written mostly in the 17th and 18th Centuries, I know the C&MA is big tent and not everyone appreciates Puritan theology. and I know the Puritans could be “maddenly eccentric, sometimes ran to extremes, never met a rule they didn’t seem to relish, had a decidedly underdeveloped view of recreation and leisure, and their writing tended toward wordiness, often stating and then restating the same point several times.” (Wasn’t that sentence run-on a great Puritan sentence?)
Still, I’ve found Puritans touch on themes (like suffering, surrender, temptation, repentance) that are thoroughly Biblical but often untreated in our day. I’ve also found Puritans have insight into the human heart that we need to hear. Furthermore, the Puritans champion the glory of the Gospel in ways that stir my soul. So, though the waves can be choppy, I highly recommend at least a dip into the pool of Puritan wisdom.
Here are a couple of guided samplings: The first, by Mark Deckard, takes six questions people struggle with, and uses a classic Puritan work to help us answer it:
1. Why is this happening to me? (John Flavel, The Mystery of Providence)
2. Why am I so anxious and dissatisfied? (Jeremiah Burroughs, The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment)
3. What does sin have to do with my problem? (John Owen, The Mortification of Sin)
4. Why doesn’t anyone understand my problems? (John Bunyan, The Pilgrim's Progress)
5. Don’t I need just to stop feeling? (Jonathan Edwards, The Religious Affections The Religious Affections)
6. How can I find joy again? (William Bridge, A Lifting Up for the Downcast)
The second, recommends a classic book for each month of the year.
January: The Bruised Reed by Richard Sibbes
February: The Mystery of Providence by John Flavel
March: The Godly Man’s Picture by Thomas Watson
April: Precious Remedies Against Satan’s Devices by Thomas Brooks
May: Come and Welcome to Jesus Christ by John Bunyan
June: The Mortification of Sin by John Owen
July: A Lifting Up for the Downcast by William Bridge
August: The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment by Jeremiah Burroughs
September: The True Bounds of Christian Freedom by Samuel Bolton
October: The Christian’s Great Interest by William Guthrie
November: The Reformed Pastor by Richard Baxter
December: A Sure Guide to Heaven by Joseph Alleine (148 pp)
Though I haven’t read every book on the list, I’ve read 8 of them and dozens of others — mostly by John Owen. Once I acquired an ear for their somewhat archaic language, I’ve found my soul consistently soars as I read my old, dead friends.
JOURNEY WITH JESUS
Even more of a stretch for some, taking an evangelical guided tour through a classic Jesuit approach to faith may be more than you are asking for. But if you want to walk through something that is thoroughly grounded in the Gospels and that dives deep into your own soul, while avoiding the common pitfalls in Ignatius’ approach to faith, Larry Warner’s Journey with Jesus: Discovering the Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius may be an idea to consider.
A few years ago, along with a trusted friend, I used Warner’s guide for a 9-month journey. Warner leaves out the aspects of the exercises that most evangelicals would find offensive or confusing. Instead he pulls from what is helpful and lays out a guided path for a deeper dive into relationship with Jesus. I don’t think Journey with Jesus is for everyone, but if you are looking to explore the Gospels, the life of Jesus, and particularly if you have a trusted soul friend you can partner with, you may want to set aside 9 months in 2021 to Journey with Jesus.
There are so many examples of rhythms of connecting with Jesus. I hope these three encourage you to consider ways to grow in intimacy with Him.
Happy New Year!