During last year’s off-season, a good friend and mentor of mine mentioned a plan he had made to read the Bible in a year. He put together a guide that takes you through a passage in the Old Testament, a passage in the New Testament, as well as a Psalm or Proverb each day. It sounded like a great idea, so a number of my teammates and I decided to do it. We created a text chain to hold each other accountable and encourage each other as we go through this plan.

We are now on day 265 of this study. As we read God’s Word each day, we’re able to dialogue together about what we’re learning and ask questions of some of the older, more mature believers in the group, men like Don Christensen and Dave Dravecky. Having these men pour into our lives has been such a blessing. In the same way, I try to take what I’m learning and pour into guys that are younger than me.

“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” —1 Thessalonians 5:11

As we go through the season I’ll see other guys on my team heading to breakfast with their notebooks and I know that they’re doing their daily reading. Adam Wainwright and I do our reading together sometimes so we can chat about what the different passages mean.

It’s really easy to get distracted during the season and make excuses about why we don’t have time or energy to read our Bibles, but this format has been a great source of accountability for me. I’ve read different books of the Bible before, but I’ve never read it chronologically like this. I’ve internalized a lot of truths this year through this study.

The Old Testament tends to get a bad rap; there are some parts that are tough to get through (I’m looking at you, Deuteronomy), but most of the OT actually reads like an old war movie. It’s been so interesting to read it and recognize the history and truth that it holds. Seeing the big picture of God’s Word and how He fulfilled the prophecy of Jesus Christ—which comes up over and over—really is amazing. By reading the whole Bible, I get a better picture of who God is and I see that His power and plan are perfect.

In the past, it’s been easier to grow in my relationship with Christ during the offseason. That’s when I can have a “normal” life, with a routine schedule, I’m able to go to church and Bible studies regularly with my family. While I’m playing, though, it’s easier to get caught up in the performance aspect of my job, riding the highs and lows of the game. This year has been a really cool opportunity for me to have accountability and structure in reading God’s Word every day.

I don’t think anyone can read the Bible without getting something out of it—as long as you go into it with the desire to grow. And there’s always room for growth. I hope that next year we can encourage more men to be included in this group so that we can continue to learn and grow together through God’s Word.

“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” —Hebrews 10:23-25

—Matt Holliday

Matt Holliday is a regular contributor of The Increase, providing monthly articles and opinions.

Check out Matt’s Increase profile here: Matt Holliday

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