I’ve had many years in my life where I’ve read through the entire Bible, cover to cover, in 365 days. Each time, my approach was slightly different, but I always made it to the end by December 31. I’m not convinced there’s a single best way to read the Bible in a year, because we all need to find our own strategies and approaches.
And isn’t that a beautiful reminder of the ways God meets each of us in our own walks with Him? I hope you’ll be encouraged that reading through the Bible is possible and you can do it this year. Before you dive in, check out the strategies below to help you get started.
Understand Your Why
Have you ever heard the question, “What’s your ‘why’?” This is a helpful question to ask when you’re starting something new or setting a goal. Determining why you’re doing something helps put words to your motivation.
Maybe you want to read the Bible in a year because this is a practice the church you’re connected with or the people you spend time with do regularly. Or because you want to stay disciplined in being in God’s Word daily. Or because you want to understand the larger biblical narrative of the Old and New Testaments.
Before you choose your strategy for reading the Bible in a year, spend time reflecting on why you want to set this goal. When you understand your personal motivation for engaging with God’s Word in this way, it will be easier to stay disciplined throughout the year.
How to Stay Consistent
Once you’ve identified why you’re pursuing this goal, spend time thinking about some of the common obstacles people face when they set out to read the Bible in a year. One of the biggest challenges is the discouragement you might feel if you miss a day or fall behind in your reading.
This will probably happen at some point, and it’s not a reflection of your discipline, spiritual strength, passion, or desire to know God more through His Word. The important thing is to determine how you’ll get back on track—even if that means taking longer than a year to finish your plan.
When your goal is centered around knowing God more, you’ll be able to give yourself grace for off-days.
When your goal is centered around knowing God more, you’ll be able to give yourself grace for off-days. You’ll also find the stamina and strength you need to spend more time on any given day to catch up.
Tips for staying consistent in reading Scripture:
- Commit to a consistent time each day to listen or read Scripture.
- Set reminders on your phone or physical calendar.
- Celebrate milestones every 10, 50, or 100 days of your reading plan.
3 Benefits of Reading the Bible in a Year
1. Understanding the Biblical Narrative
The Bible is full of different types of writings—history, laws, prayers and songs of worship, recountings of Jesus’ ministry on earth, letters to the early church, and more. When you read the Bible in a year, you’re able to experience each of these writings, see the similarities and differences between them, and better understand how the biblical narrative comes together.
2. Developing a Habit of Daily Reading
When you consider how many individual chapters are in the Bible, you’ll need to average around three chapters per day to read the Bible in a year. This might be split up in different ways depending on your approach to reading.
No matter what approach you take, you’ll need daily discipline to keep showing up, and you’ll need to be ready to read. If you’ve struggled in the past with being consistent, this goal could help you have a plan for what you’re reading each day and a clear way to identify if you’ve met your goal.
3. Seeing God’s Character in Every Story
God is the main character in every book of the Bible, even when He’s not mentioned by name. Reading the Bible in a year allows you the opportunity to see the recurring and consistent nature of God in every story, passage, and verse of Scripture. And when you see His faithfulness, love, and grace, you can't help but feel peace in His presence.
3 Strategies to Read the Bible in a Year
1. Use a Bible Reading Plan
One of the easiest ways to read the Bible in a year is to use a guided plan. YouVersion’s free Bible App offers a number of options you can use to reach your reading goal.
Before you pick a Plan, consider the approach you want to take. You might look for a Plan that takes you chronologically through the Bible, includes daily devotionals, or offers intensive study about specific themes in your daily Bible readings.
Then, browse through the YouVersion Bible reading plans and select a plan that fits your reading style and schedule. Every reading plan will let you choose your favorite Bible translation, such as the NIV, NLT, or ESV.
Here are a few Plans you might consider for the new year:
2. Make a Plan for When You’ll Read
In order to make it through the entire Bible in 365 days, it’s wise to have a predetermined plan for when, where, and how you’ll read. For some people, it’s easiest to start the day in Scripture. Others prefer to finish their day reading through a few chapters.
When you don’t have a plan for your daily reading, it can be easy to fall behind and feel discouraged. Practice grace with yourself as you find a rhythm and routine that works best for you.
You might even consider identifying a space in your home where you’ll read. There’s something about a warm cup of tea and your favorite spot on the sofa that makes showing up to read feel like a warm invitation instead of a chore.
And remember, what works well in January might need to be reevaluated by the time you get to May.
3. Invite Others to Join You
One of the best ways to read the Bible in a year is with others. When you invite others to join you in this pursuit, you’ll find accountability to keep showing up, leaning into God’s Word, and processing what you’re reading with one another.
If you use the “Plans With Friends” feature on the Bible App, you’ll be able to connect and share insights about each day’s reading with the friends or small group members you’re reading with. Everyone will have different takeaways and perspectives, so sharing what you’re learning will keep you engaged and give you a deeper understanding of God's Word. They can also help you process questions you might have as you read together.
If you choose to do a one-year reading plan with others, make sure you celebrate together once you finish! Remembering this coming celebration can keep you consistent on the days you're struggling to find motivation.
Pursuing God Every Day
Reading the entire Bible in a year can be a life-changing experience. And with the right strategy, anyone can do it! So step into this next year with confidence. Stay consistent in your new habit, but also remember to give yourself grace. Reading the Bible in a year is a big deal and a meaningful experience, but it's not a requirement from God or a stunt for spiritual bragging rights.
Instead, remember that it’s less about completing a daily reading and more about growing your understanding of God. If you come across things that feel confusing or weird, that’s okay. Take those questions to God and others, and keep a posture of curiosity as you continue leaning in.