Reading the Bible through in a year is almost every Christian’s dream.
Many Christians begin the year by setting a New Year resolution to read through the Bible. You start by getting a study Bible with a nice reading plan and get ready to dive in. But before you know it, you miss a day or two, and the program stops till you feel like it again.
Ahead are six reading plans you can try out and stick with this year. These plans are unique because they are easy to read and not dull to follow. If you read until the end, you will also find tips on developing and sticking with your reading plan.
But first…
FIND A TRANSLATION THAT WORKS FOR YOU
To enjoy and stick to your reading plan, you should get a translation that’s easy to read.
Some of these versions include: the Easy-to-Read Version (ERV), New International Version (NIV), New Living Translation (NLT), The Message (MSG), and New American Standard Bible (NASB), among others. You can also use an online Bible like the YouVersion Bible app or Bible Gateway that helps you study the Bible on the go and gives you Bible verses of the day.
READ THE BIBLE THROUGH CHRONOLOGICALLY
- The International Bible Society Bible Reading Plan: This reading plan from the International Bible Society allows you to read from the Old Testament, New Testament, and a few verses from Psalms and Proverbs in a day.
PODCAST/AUDIO BIBLE READING PLAN
- The Bible in a Year with Fr. Mike Schmitz: If you find reading boring, then this is for you. Fr. Mike Schmitz walks you through the Word in 365 episodes, helping you understand the context of each reading. This plan is for an average of 20-25 minutes every day. The podcast reading plan would work for you while in transit, while doing your chores or at your office. It allows you to stay busy and rejuvenated.
READ THE NEW TESTAMENT THROUGH IN ONE YEAR
- 5x5x5 Bible Reading Plan: You should go for this plan if you want to dig deep into the New Testament. With this plan, you get to read the New Testament for “5 minutes a day, for 5 days, and 5 ways to dig deeper.” This plan sounds like an interesting one.
BIBLE READING PLAN FOR WOMEN
- M’Cheyne Reading Plan: This reading plan from bibleplan.org is for women or individuals who don’t have much time on their hands but want to stay rooted in the Word. The reading plan was prepared by the 19th-century Scottish minister, Robert Murray M’Cheyne, and modified by New Testament scholar D.A. Carson. The plan helps you to discover the riches and treasures of God’s Word.
BIBLE READING PLAN FOR MEN
- Bible Gateway Reading Plan: “Men ought always to pray and not to faint…” You need a study plan as a man and father to stay grounded in the Word. This reading plan by Bible Gateway would help you grow into the man God created you to be.
READING PLAN FOR FAMILIES
- One Year In the Bible: The best time to bond with your family is during Bible study. Get your spouse and kids to join you to read the Good Book in one year with this reading plan. This plan has commentaries that help you to understand the Bible verses better.
DEVELOP AND STICK WITH YOUR READING PLANS
Here are eight tips on how to stick with your reading plan and see it all the way through:
- Understand your purpose for starting a Bible reading plan. The first step to developing or choosing a reading plan is understanding your purpose. Without a spelled out purpose, you might find it difficult to enjoy or stick with your reading plan. So, define your goal before choosing from the reading plans discussed above.
- Make reading a priority. Reading Scripture should be your top priority, especially if you intend to read the Bible through in a year.
- Determine what you are going to read. This is where the reading plans above come in. They will provide you with a plan to follow and your daily verses. You see, when you know what to read, it becomes easy for you to pick your Bible up and start reading, anywhere you are.
(Photo: Jazmin Quaynor/Unsplash) - Set realistic goals. Set realistic goals by asking yourself what you want to achieve from the reading plan and how you want to achieve your goals. This would give you a clear picture of where you are going and what you should do to get there.
- Have a routine. Have a fixed routine to help you stay consistent and avoid stopping your plans to read the Bible along the line. Being flexible is not a good option if you are guilty of being inconsistent in the past. A fixed routine would help you to stay focused.
- Buy a Bible that you love. Get rid of your old and tattered Bible and go for a new one with a color you love. Getting a Bible that you love will motivate you to stick with your reading plan.
- Get a lovely journal. Writing is therapeutic. Writing down your lessons from a reading would make it more exciting and encourage you to keep reading.
- Pray before you start reading. The best way to stick with anything is by praying. Therefore, pray before you start reading the Bible, pray while reading the Bible, and pray after reading the Bible.
CONCLUSION
To sum up, reading the Bible through in a year does not have to be a difficult task for Christians. You can enjoy reading Scripture if you choose the best reading plan and a routine that works best for you. In addition, I would also suggest that you throw in some activities like nice Christian background music, outdoor reading, or related podcasts to make your reading time fun and enjoyable. The plans discussed in this article were carefully curated for you because you deserve to enjoy your walk with God.
