What is a good plan for reading the Bible in one year?

Reading the Bible in one year can be a deeply rewarding and structured way to grow spiritually. A solid plan involves breaking the Bible into manageable daily readings, balancing sections from both the Old and New Testaments, along with Psalms and Proverbs. Here’s a plan to help you navigate through the Bible in one year:

1. Choose Your Translation

Start by selecting a Bible translation that you can read comfortably and understand. Some popular choices include:

• New International Version (NIV): Easy to read and modern.
• English Standard Version (ESV): More literal while still being readable.
• New King James Version (NKJV): Maintains some traditional language with modern updates.

2. Daily Reading Plan Structure

To cover the entire Bible in a year, you’ll need to read about 3-4 chapters a day. The Bible contains 1,189 chapters, so dividing it into daily chunks makes this achievable. Here's a basic structure:

• Old Testament: Start from Genesis and read through Malachi. You’ll read about 2-3 chapters a day from here.
• New Testament: Start with the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John), then move through to Revelation. This typically amounts to 1 chapter a day.
• Psalms & Proverbs: To break up longer readings, consider adding one Psalm and a few verses from Proverbs daily. Psalms contain 150 chapters, so reading one a day is feasible, and Proverbs, with its 31 chapters, aligns perfectly with months.

3. Balanced Reading

A good practice is reading both the Old and New Testaments simultaneously. Here’s how you can structure this:

• Daily Readings:
  • 1-2 chapters from the Old Testament.
  • 1 chapter from the New Testament.
  • 1 Psalm or a few verses from Proverbs.

This helps balance the historical, prophetic, poetic, and instructional parts of the Bible so that you’re not overwhelmed with a single genre for long periods.

4. Use a Plan or App

Several apps or printed Bible plans help you track your progress and keep you on track:

• YouVersion Bible App: Offers various Bible-in-a-year plans.
• Printable PDF Plans: Many websites offer downloadable versions, where you can mark off completed readings.

These resources keep you organized and provide reminders and insights along the way.

5. Set Aside Time Each Day

Find a time during the day that works best for you, whether it's in the morning, during a lunch break, or before bed. Consistency is key to staying on track. A good approach is to:

• Morning: Start with a New Testament passage.
• Evening: Read from the Old Testament and Psalms before bed.

6. Journaling and Reflecting

Keep a journal as you read. Write down key takeaways, prayers, or questions that arise. This helps deepen your understanding and personal connection to the Scriptures.

Sample Weekly Plan

This approach allows you to cover the entire Bible in a balanced way and provides time for reflection.