When I joined the Assembly of the Eternal two years ago, I made up an lectionary (Bible reading schedule) based on an eight year cycle. This has worked well and been enjoyable. I think eight years is too long though. Based on observing the lectionary cycles of the Catholic, Anglican, and Jehovah's Witness churches, a three year cycle seems best. So I've put up a Bible reading schedule for anyone to use. It is on the Internet so anyone that wants to follow along with the Assembly can do so. Here is the link: Lectionary for the Assembly of the Eternal.
You can download and print out the lectionary in PDF format, to share with your home-based church: Lectionary in a printable PDF file.
Here is the introduction I wrote for the lectionary:
Note: Many lectionaries skip the politically incorrect parts of the Bible, and jumble the readings out of order so you don't get a strong sense of the big story that the Bible is telling. This lectionary puts the readings in order, and does not skip any chapter. Readings are taken from the Torah, the Prophets, and the New Testament, so that in each week you will have some variety in your Bible reading. However, the Torah is still read in order, the Prophets in order, and the New Testament in order. You will finish reading each part of the Bible at the same time by using this lectionary.
How many of us obey these Bible verses?
Deuteronomy 6:4-7
4 Hear, O Israel: YHWH our God is one YHWH:
5 And thou shalt love YHWH thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.
6 And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:
7 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.Joshua 1:8
8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
To meditate, in the Bible, means to "mutter under your breath". Your lips have to move. Your tongue and mouth have to vocalize the words, even if quietly. Psychologists have found that learning is strongest when a person involves all their senses. Speaking, hearing, and seeing the Words of God is the best way to put them in our hearts.
This lectionary is a beginning exercise, a discipline to teach the path of Torah-consciousness by reciting the Words of God.
This lectionary, or set of Bible reading portions, is designed for a three year reading cycle. If you write down all your questions as you do the reading, you may be surprised at how many of your questions are answered by the next time you do a particular reading again. The Bible explains itself, for the most part. You just need to read the whole thing and put it together like a puzzle. It may seem like a big task to read the Bible in its entirety, but if you divide it into small portions, as is done in this lectionary, it is a task that every one, even a child, will accomplish with ease.
Because new people are always coming into the faith, the three year cycle should be repeated continuously. It is appropriate for teaching children and new-comers. It gives old-timers experience at teaching the word. By reading the Bible aloud and discussing it in a group setting, you will discover insights and facts that you would miss when reading by yourself.
Other members of the Bible reading group will not be afraid to correct you if you pronounce a word wrong. If you have the humility to accept such correction, you will learn quickly.
To benefit from the discussions in the Assembly, and contribute to your fullest, please read the Bible reading for the appropriate week before coming.