How to Read the Bible in a Year

Ever felt a pang of wonder (or fear) when someone suggests, “Read the Bible in a year”? It sounds monumental—like climbing a mountain you’ve never seen. But with a friendly plan, a curious heart, and just a few chapters a day, that mountain becomes a series of tiny hills. Think of it like savoring a daily bite of your favorite story over and over; soon, you’ll find the story unfolding in a way you never imagined. In this guide, we’ll treat the Bible as a daily companion—easy, approachable, and filled with wisdom for every season of your life.

Why Aim to Read the Bible in a Year?

For many, reading the entire Bible in one year seems daunting. But consider how small, consistent steps—just a few chapters a day—can lead to a big journey. It’s like training for a marathon by running a little every morning. Over time, these daily readings build up, and before you know it you’ve covered the whole story. It's a commitment, but one that brings growing understanding and joy each step of the way.

Spiritual Growth and Understanding

Reading the Bible every day can feel like an adventure in a foreign land, gradually turning that land into a new home. Each day’s readings bring new characters, stories, and wisdom. Over a year, you’ll piece together the big picture of the Bible—stories of faith, hope, and real people just like you. The slow, steady pace lets you reflect on lessons bit by bit, growing in understanding without getting overwhelmed.

Building a Consistent Habit

Let’s be honest: we all love routine (even when we pretend we don’t). The Bible is big, but daily consistency is the secret. It’s like training for a marathon with short jogs every morning. A few verses at breakfast or bedtime can turn Bible reading into a comfortable daily ritual. Over time, you won’t have to force yourself; it becomes a natural part of your day—like brushing your teeth, but for your spirit and mind!

Overcoming Common Beginner Challenges

Starting something new can be tricky, and the Bible can feel especially tricky at first. Familiar questions might pop up: How do I even begin? or What if I don’t understand a passage? We’ll tackle those worries head-on. By picking a plan that makes sense for you, breaking the text into manageable pieces, and remembering you’re not alone, even the most intimidating parts can feel doable.

Staying Motivated Over 365 Days

Let’s talk motivation. Ever had a workout plan you loved at first but then fizzled out on? Reading the Bible is the same. The trick is to make it interesting and trackable. Use colorful bookmarks, phone reminders, or a friend to check in with. Celebrate milestones—finished one book of the Bible? Give yourself a small reward! Keep a simple habit tracker or journal. And remember, even if life gets busy and you miss a day, one missed day isn’t a failure. It’s just a chance to pick back up. Keep your pace steady, and celebrate those small wins along the way.

Making Sense of Difficult Passages

The Bible has parts that read like a story (the Gospels), poems (Psalms), rulebooks (Leviticus), and even ancient letters (Paul’s epistles). It’s normal if some parts sound confusing. Here’s a secret: You don’t need to understand every verse on your first read. Jot down questions or move on to the next part if you’re stuck. Later, you can use simple study guides or ask more experienced readers (like on forums or in a study group) for help. Remember, understanding often grows with time and context. Don’t let tough sections slow you down; keep moving and revisit later if needed.

Choosing a Reading Plan

Think of a reading plan as your treasure map. Without it, you’re wandering an unexplored land. A plan gives you direction, a clear pace, and the satisfaction of checking off each day. Plans vary: some go through the Bible from start to finish (book order), others jump around (chronological order or mixes of Old and New Testament). Some plans focus on daily inspiration with Psalms and Proverbs. Finding a plan that fits your life (daily time, interests) is half the battle won.

Chronological vs Book Order

A very popular approach is the chronological plan: you read the stories of the Bible in the order they happened. It’s like rearranging history in a timeline. This can help you see how events and prophecies link together. For beginners, though, a straightforward plan — simply reading the Bible from Genesis to Revelation — is also great because it’s easy to track. Pick what sounds fun: do you want history order or start-to-finish order? Either way, you’re going to learn and grow.

Gospels-First Plans

Many new readers find the life of Jesus inspiring and relatable. That’s why some folks recommend starting with the Gospels (like Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) or even just the Gospel of John. It’s like jumping into the climax of a story – you get to know the main character early on! This approach builds confidence and excitement. Once you’ve covered the Gospels, you can circle back to the Old Testament or continue with the New Testament. No matter where you start, the important thing is you’re reading.

Thematic and Devotional Plans

Another way is to read topically or devotionally. For example, you could focus on the theme of wisdom by reading Proverbs and James, or on love by reading the Song of Solomon and 1 Corinthians 13. There are devotional plans that mix verses from different books to give daily inspiration, rather than sticking to straight chapters. If you like variety and learning a little bit of everything each day (Old and New Testament combined), these plans can be a refreshing pick-me-up each morning.

Using Bible Apps and Tools

Welcome to the 21st century, where your phone can be your Bible coach! Apps like YouVersion (Bible App), Dwell, and Logos offer built-in reading plans, reminders, and even audio readings. They can read aloud to you during a commute or track your streaks (just like a streaks app). Some have a social feature where you can read with friends or see encouraging messages each day. If you’re tech-savvy, try a Bible app: it’s like having a Bible reading buddy in your pocket.

Getting Started: Setting Yourself Up for Success

Ready to get started? Think of this as gearing up for a year-long journey (but one day at a time). Choosing a good time of day is key—maybe right after your morning coffee or just before bed. Set a small alarm or reminder. Keep your Bible (or phone) handy in that spot. And make the environment cozy: a comfy chair, good light, maybe even a favorite mug beside you. It’s your mini daily appointment with the Bible, so make it pleasant and easy.

Setting Realistic Goals and Schedule

To avoid burnout, go for realistic goals. If you’re new, 2-3 chapters a day might be enough; seasoned readers might do more. Many plans average about 4 chapters per day to finish in a year. Adjust your pace if needed: catching up a bit on weekends when you have extra time can help. The rule of thumb? Consistency over volume. It’s better to read a small piece every day than a huge chunk once a week. Over time, those few verses will add up to big progress.

Creating a Comfortable Reading Environment

Think of your reading time as your own quiet sanctuary. A kitchen corner, a desk, or a spot on the couch can become the place you read the Bible. Use that special mug of tea, or a pad of paper for notes. Over time, whenever you go to that spot, your mind and heart will know it’s “Bible time.” Little rituals help: maybe light a candle (safely!), play soft instrumental music, or sit with a friend. The environment sets the mood for reflection and makes daily reading feel like a treat, not a chore.

Journaling and Reflecting on What You Read

Here’s a powerful habit: keep a reading journal or notes. Write a sentence about what you read. Did a verse jump out at you? Write it down. Confusing parts? Jot a question or note to look up later. This reflection practice turns reading into personal study and growth. It also doubles as a memory log: later, you can flip through your journal and marvel at how your understanding deepened over the year. Journaling makes each reading personal and keeps you engaged with the text.

Popular Beginner-Friendly Bible Reading Plans

Now let’s talk specifics. There are a few well-loved reading plans that beginners swear by. You might have heard of “The One Year Bible”, a classic plan that divides the Old Testament, New Testament, Psalms, and Proverbs so you read a little of each every day. Another favorite is a chronological plan, which we mentioned: reading the Bible as history happened. These often come in one or two-year options, which means even less reading per day! YouVersion (the Bible app) has a “Bible in a Year” plan too, with an audio option and commentary. We’ll look at these plans and why they’re so popular.

The Classic One-Year Bible Plan

The classic One Year Bible plan (also available as a printed schedule) is designed so that each day you read from four sections: often something from the Law or History (Genesis, etc.), the Prophets or Wisdom (Isaiah, Psalms, etc.), and the Gospels or Epistles. It’s balanced and easy to follow, so you’re never reading too much of one genre at a time. Many beginners find this plan comforting because of its variety. You can find it in Bible study books or apps, and it usually takes about 10-20 minutes a day.

The Chronological Bible Reading Plan

If you’re curious about the big storyline, a chronological plan could be thrilling. This plan rearranges the Bible’s books into the order events actually happened. For example, it weaves the Psalms and the stories of Kings together as they were written in history. Many folks find this brings the story of Israel and Jesus to life in a new way. Here are some features of a chronological plan:

Key Features of the Chronological Plan

- Story in order: You read events as a timeline, helping you see the flow of history.

- Contextual connections: Prophecies, songs (Psalms), and events line up so you’ll see how they fit together. 

- Engaging extras: Some plans (like BibleProject’s) include maps, timelines, or short video clips each day. 

- Flexible pacing: Often these plans come in one or two-year versions so you can read less per day if needed.

Tips for Following the Chronological Plan

- Use resources: Listen to the audio or watch a short video if the reading feels heavy. 

- Take notes: There’s a lot happening, so jot quick notes or questions as you go.

- Stay flexible: If history gets complex, it’s okay to take a moment to reflect and read the next day.

 - Enjoy the narrative: Pretend you’re on a journey through time, connecting with people from the past.

YouVersion One-Year Plan

YouVersion’s “Bible in a Year” plan (hosted by Nicky Gumbel) is hugely popular. Each day has a short reading from the Old Testament and the New Testament, plus an audio option and a brief commentary. It’s like having a study guide and a friend chatting about it. The app will remind you every day at your chosen time, and you can join discussions in each daily entry. Many users love the friendly format and sense of community. If you like digital tools, this plan is beginner-friendly and engaging.

Conclusion

Reading the Bible in a year might sound intimidating, but it’s entirely within reach—like training for a marathon by running just a few minutes a day. Remember, the goal is not to race through, but to grow a bit each day. Celebrate progress: each month you’ll finish a set of books, and by the end of the year, you’ll have read the entire Bible. Stay patient, be curious, and enjoy the journey. The Bible is more than a book; it’s a conversation—daily reading is simply showing up to that conversation. You don’t have to get everything right; what matters is that you show up, listen, and reflect. Even if you fall behind, don’t be too hard on yourself—get back on track and feel excited about jumping back in when you can. You’ve got this!

FAQs

How much time do I need each day to read the Bible in a year?

Most plans average around 3-4 chapters daily, taking about 15-30 minutes total. If you’re new, start with shorter sessions (10-15 minutes) and gradually build up. Consistency matters more than total time—even short daily reads add up! 

What if I fall behind on my reading plan? 

No worries! Life happens. Missing a day isn’t the end of the world. You can catch up by reading a bit extra on weekends, or simply continue from where you left off. Some people use the missed day as a free day (to rest) and adjust the schedule so the plan just shifts by a few days. The key is not to give up or feel guilty—each day is a new chance to read! 

Can I change the order of books or skip parts I find boring?

Definitely. The beauty of a personal reading plan is flexibility. If a section feels dry, it’s okay to skim or skip and come back later. You could switch up the order (for example, read the Gospels first). Just note any skipped parts to revisit. The goal is understanding and growth, not blindly finishing chapters. 

Which version of the Bible should I use? 

Use a translation that’s easy to read. Many beginners like versions like the NIV, NLT, or ESV, which balance readability and accuracy. Some apps even let you compare translations for the same verse. Choose one that feels natural; if a verse feels confusing, reading it in another translation can help. 

Is it better to read alone or with others?

Both have perks. Reading with a friend or group can boost motivation—you can discuss insights and encourage each other. If no one’s around, online communities (like on YouVersion or other faith websites) provide connection. But reading alone allows for personal reflection and flexibility. It’s up to you: some people do both by reading alone and occasionally joining a study group.