By Jen Jones The Beacon

When her pastor started a new sermon series, he had a handout that intrigued Jody Wright.

“ It listed in order what books( of the Bible) to read with a place to check mark each chapter. This was something that would help me keep on track and on task. Several times over the years, I have started reading the Bible with the goal of reading all the books. I have never completed my goal,” Wright said.“ As with everyone else, life gets in the way, and when you skip a day, it becomes two, then a week and eventually months.”

When she saw the checklist, she got excited she might be able to complete the New Testament this year. She posted about

it on Facebook.“ I was surprised and ecstatic that others wanted to join me on this biblical journey. It’ s hard for me, and I’ m sure others, to carve out a perfect time for everyone to meet in person. I have been a participant of a couple of online / virtual book clubs and thought,‘ Why wouldn’ t this work for our Bible crew?’” she said.

Wright set up a group through Facebook Messenger with people who had responded to her original Facebook post.

“ That spread, and we gained a few more. It gives us space to ask questions— questions about the daily reading— as well as a space to share learnings, either using personal experiences or other avenues,” she said.

Wright said it also gives

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Virtual Bible study groups can help you stay motivated and on track.

each member a group to call on for prayers.

“ It gives us a connection to others that want to grow in the faith, and knowledge level doesn’ t matter,” she said.

Wright admits something like this is out of her comfort zone.

“ I am not one that feels

confident in the Bible, as I am not well-versed in it. My nerves were put at ease in the first chapter, as we all struggled with pronouncing the names,” she said.

Members of the group were all amazed by the lineage that is shared in Matthew 1:1, and communications

started flowing from everyone.

“ Having a group of others helps keep us on task. If you have a goal, you need a supporter and people to be your cheerleaders. I’ m excited to be on this journey with these people. I’ m also hoping we can celebrate in person a couple of times this year to grow our Christian friendships,” Wright said.

Susie Stout is another member of the study group.

“ It’ s embarrassing, but normally, I don’ t commit time to read God’ s word every day. I teach Sunday school and junior church every Sunday, so I am in God’ s word a lot as I study for my lessons. But to try to read through the Bible is something I’ ve always wanted to do,” Stout said.“ It’ s wonderful to have an

adult group to read it with. It helps to be held accountable and know that other people are reading the same chapters that I am. I really look forward to reading the chapter of the day.”

She admits she doesn’ t always understand everything, but she does learn new things she hadn’ t seen before.

“ I love everything about this and thank Jody so much for getting this group started. I highly recommend it. A relationship with Jesus is all that matters. Nothing else really does,” Stout said.

Christy Nicely is another member of the study group.

“ It is lovely having a group of great people to message about what we are reading. I enjoy the

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