How to Choose a Bible Reading Plan

Many Christians start off the new year with a goal to read through the entire Bible, and while many accomplish this, others find themselves dropping off partway throughout the year, having cram sessions, or feeling guilty if they don't quite make it.

There is value to reading the Bible all the way through, but if you find yourself rushing through it without comprehending much, or giving up, or feeling frustrated and cramming, it might be a good idea to explore different Bible reading options.

Here are some different Bible reading plan options to consider, along with some potential pros and cons:

1. Traditional Bible-in-a-Year Plan

Goal: Read a set passage each day to read the entire Bible over the course of one year.

Pros:

• You read the entire Bible in a year

• Breaking it up into chunks makes it easier to accomplish

• Traditional plans usually include a passage from the Old Testament, New Testament, and Psalms, so you get a variety of readings each day.

Cons:

• Spreading the goal over the course of a year might lead to giving up partially through

• It might be tempting to cram some readings if you miss a day or more

• One might focus more on just getting the reading done rather than truly studying the content.

2. Chronological Bible-in-a-Year Plan

Goal: Read a set passage each day to read the entire Bible over the course of one year, but do so in order of when each event in the Bible happened as opposed to doing it in the order of tradition plans.

Pros: 

• You read the entire Bible in a year

• Breaking it up into chunks makes it easier to accomplish

• You may get a different perspective by reading the Bible in chronological order vs. reading it in the traditional layout.

Cons:

• Spreading the goal over the course of a year might lead to giving up partially through

• It might be tempting to cram some readings if you miss a day or more

• One might focus more on just getting the reading done rather than truly studying the content.

3. Read the Entire Bible in Less Than a Year

Goal: Read the entire Bible, whether in the traditional order or chronological order, but do so in a time frame shorter than a year. 6 months or 3 months is a common goal.

Pros: 

• You read the entire Bible

• If you struggle with keeping long-term commitments, the shorter timeframe may be more doable

Cons:

• It takes more time each day to read selected passages

• It might be tempting to cram readings, thereby lowering comprehension

4. Read Through the Old or New Testament

Goal: Instead of trying to read the entire Bible in a year, set a goal to read through one of the testaments. Both testaments are equal in value as they are both part of the Word of God, but if you have never read through the Bible before, we suggest starting with the New Testament.

Pros: 

• This is an easier goal to achieve than reading the entire Bible in a year

• You have more time to absorb what you read

• You are less likely to cram read

Cons:

• You won't read the entire Bible in one year, which is important for some people (decide what is best for you!)

5. Focus on a Specific Book or Books

Goal: Instead of reading through the entire Bible, make it a goal to study in-depth one or more books of the Bible

Pros: 

• You'll absorb more information

• You'll gain a greater understanding of what passages mean rather than just reading through them

Cons:

• You won't finish the entire Bible in a year (which, again, is important to some people, but do what draws you closer to God!)

6. Set a Time-Related Goal Instead of a Content-Related Goal

Goal: Instead of committing to finish a certain passage each day, make a goal to read for a certain amount of time each day

Pros: 

• You can read the Bible at a slower pace

• You're more likely to comprehend what you read

• You won't feel rushed or like you need to cram

  
  

Cons:

• You might not finish the entire Bible in one year, which is important to some people

No matter which Bible reading goal you set, the importance is to set one that will help you draw closer to God, grow in His Word, and be something you do out of love for Him and not through obligation. Whichever goal that looks like for you, we're cheering you on as you read!