Thank you!
A huge thank you from Bob and I for sticking with us through Season One of the Loveshaped Life podcast. We're really hoping it was more than just commuter entertainment, that it left you with principles you're finding helpful in everyday life. While Season One is officially a wrap, there's more to come.
Loveshaped Life. Season Two
Yep, in less than a month (January 1st), Season Two will begin dropping. This will be a different kind of season, but one you can expect regularly. Season Two will be all stories: intimate interviews with everyday people who's lives have been radically transformed by the truth of God's wild love. You won't want to miss this season. It might even be one you'll want to share.
Secrets for a Loveshaped Life
Bob and I have been working on a very simple booklet that outlines the essentials of the Loveshaped Life we explored in Season One, and includes a helpful worksheet. Here's the opening paragraph:
A Google search of the sentence: “What is the greatest need of the human heart?” returns this answer: “To be loved and accepted.” Here at Loveshaped Life we believe that God is the only one who can fill this need at the deepest level—and we hope you’ll consider that possibility as you continue reading.
One chapter is devoted to introducing each of the four core principles of the Loveshaped Life: See, Meditate, Accept, Rest. We think this will provide a simple, helpful reference for you, as well as a way to share these ideas with a friend. If you haven't requested your complimentary copy, you can do so today: loveshaped.life/booklet.
13 Week Bible.
This is a brand new edition to our suite of resources at Loveshaped Life. Our goal is simple: inspire you to practice a rhythm of serious engagement with Scripture, including a regular, rapid read or listen. The 13 Week Bible provides a simple framework to motivate and facilitate reading/listening through the Bible in the first 13 weeks of the new year. It's a great way to begin the new year--and a great way to get into Scripture.
Reading/listening through the Bible rapidly on a regular basis is one of the most important practices for followers of Jesus. Of course, it isn’t the only way to encounter Scripture. In fact, I think it’s one of three modes for “inhabiting” the text. The other two are: reflective/devotional and slow, deep study (we can talk about those another time). Why this third habit of wide, fast reading, though?
Forces engagement with the larger picture. A case could be made that when we get too narrowly focused on a little corner of the text, we can actually lose sight of God’s larger purpose, even get lost on some strange rabbit trails. Engaging the text from the macro perspective of the larger narrative helps keep our deeper, narrower examination of particular passages on track.
Makes it easier to trace thematic threads. Reading the text in a short timeframe means that we end up primarily noticing the stuff that’s repeated more often, thus making it easier to differentiate the larger themes from the finer details.
The difficult parts don’t last forever. Not gonna lie, Scripture has some really hard parts to read—whether it’s the horrors of the Judges or the meticulous instructions for constructing the tabernacle. While valuable in their own right, a rapid reading allows the reader to move on to easier material within a day or two, rather than slogging it out for a week—or weeks.
You have less time to forget what you read. While we undoubtedly miss lots of details and forget much of what we read, we remember more than we realize. Moving from Genesis to Revelation in just 13 weeks means we’re likely to still be thinking about Genesis and Daniel when beginning the opening lines of Revelation. This relative freshness allows us to see larger, thematic connections between biblical writers throughout the entire Bible.
Encourages hyper-focused—but manageable—time in Scripture. This intense pace forces the reader to prioritize Scripture in a way that we probably all need.
It’s easier to finish! Instead of trying to stay on track for a whole year, it simply means being hyper-focused for just thirteen weeks. This. Is. Doable. In fact, reading Scripture aloud only takes about 70 hours. I’ve found setting aside about an hour a day is sufficient, and some days are shorter (like the genealogies). Also, don’t hesitate to listen instead of read.
If it’s a habit, you don’t have to get everything in the first pass. If you decide to make it a yearly (or twice-yearly) habit—and you definitely want to do that!—then it takes the pressure off of trying not to miss anything, because you’ll be back again, soon.
Doing it with friends--or with our Loveshaped Life team--helps! So join us at Loveshaped Life, commit to doing it with a group of friends--or both.
If You Decide to do it in 2024
Here are some things that will help.
13 Week Bible. Season Two. This weekly podcast conversation between Nathan Stearman and Shawn Brace will focus on highlights for each week's reading, just before you read or listen.
Reading Plan. This will be available soon, and will indicate each day's reading/listening sections.
Notebook(paper or digital). Get a dedicated notebook or set up a Word/Google Doc/etc to add quick notes to as you read—this will allow you to keep moving while not forgetting important insights.
Highlights Podcast. If it’s your first time, these summary podcasts from Season One of the 13 Week Bible podcast might be helpful. Loveshaped.life/13weekbible
Weekly Livestream. Bob and I will be hosting a weekly livestream where we'll chat about questions and observations--especially those from other readers/listeners.
Online Community. We'll be hosting an online community through Loveshaped Life where you can share your observations, answer questions and encourage each other.