5 Practical Tips for Reading Your Bible in Under a Year
No matter how we do it, reading God’s Word is one of the most important things we can do to strengthen our walk with God. In 2 Timothy Paul teaches us:
“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.”
If you feel like you need to up your game when it comes to reading God’s word, don’t worry! There are many ways to study scripture. Some people subscribe to the verse of the day. Others read and ponder one psalm or proverb daily. Then there are some people that read the New Testament or even the entire Bible every year.
The bottom line is, daily Bible reading has an amazing effect on your spiritual life. And the good news is that we have some tips to help you read the entire Bible in just a year!
Tip #1: Choose a Reading Plan that Works for You
Like most things in life, there is more than one way to read the entire Bible in a year. Here are three popular Bible reading plans available to you:
1. Read it in Bible Order
This means that you will read the books of the Bible in their existing biblical order from start to finish. The plan starts with the story of creation in Genesis and ends with God’s final judgment in Revelation.
2. Read it in Chronological Order
Did you know the events in the Bible are not actually arranged in the order they happened? When you read a chronological plan, the daily readings are in the order they occurred in the timeline of history. It makes everything fit together historically.
3. Read on Weekdays Only
Some Bible apps offer a plan with readings assigned only on weekdays. If your weekends are busier than your weekdays, this plan might be for you. One benefit is that you can catch up on your reading on available weekends if you fall behind during the week.
Tip #2: Use a Reading Plan Chart
A reading plan chart tells you what to read every day of the year. Many Bibles offer them in the reference section. You can also find them online by searching for “bible reading plan.”
The Parkway Bookstore has a plan in Spanish for adults and plans in English for adults and children. Bible apps, such as Bible Gateway and YouVersion, also have easy-to-use plans.
You can set up daily reminder emails in these apps and even choose the exact day you want to start reading!
Remember—Although no one wants to fall behind in their daily reading, it sometimes happens. If it does, don’t give up! It’s better to skip what you missed and continue, rather than stopping altogether.
Tip #3: Choose a Bible Version You Will Actually Read and Understand
Although there is only one Word of God, there are more versions of it than vitamins! And choosing one you will understand is a big factor in your success. It can be helpful to ask different people which version they use. Maybe you can read a couple of sentences in their Bible to see if you like it.
If you use a Bible app, this step is even easier! You can scroll through and pick which version you want among dozens. You can also jump back and forth and try a different version if you find you don’t like the one you picked.
Here are several popular Bible versions and a bit of info about them:
King James Version (KJV)
This is the most famous Bible. Pastor Tim told us it is a valuable reference for questions about doctrine. However, some might find it hard to understand; because the language is 400 years old.
Modern English Version (MEV)
This is a modern update of the King James Version. It is more readable and easier to understand than KJV.
New King James Version (NJKV)
This version updates the grammar and language of the King James Version. One of the biggest changes was the removal of older pronouns (e.g., thee, thy) and verb forms (e.g., speaketh).
New Living Translation (NLT)
This version translates entire thoughts into clear, natural English. It is easy to read and understand.
REMEMBER: There are a whole lot of versions out there, and the best version for you is the one you will read! Ask yourself: Will I actually read it? Will I understand it? That’s what’s important.
Tip #4: Choose the Best Reading Time for You
The daily reading assignment usually takes about 15 minutes. But if you can, allow some extra time to study any difficult passages.
It’s important to pick a time of day that works best for you. And reading at the same time every day makes it easier to remember.
Tip #5: Seek Help to Understanding What You Read
Here’s the truth: Scripture is not easy to understand. But it’s not impossible! God wants us to seek him through his word and he wants to reveal special insights just for us.
Here are some things you can do to help you understand what you’re reading:
If you have a study Bible, read the notes for any Bible passages you don’t understand.
Write down your questions and ask a small group leader, a Bible study teacher, or a trusted mentor for their insight. Your questions could make a great discussion topic.
Search for answers online through Bible commentary websites and other trusted spiritual and educational sources. Reading other people’s thoughts on scriptures sometimes gives us some insight into what they mean.
As you read the scriptures, remember to pray and ask God to help you understand what you read. In the book of James, we are encouraged with this promise:
“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. ”
Don’t Wait Any Longer – Start Your Bible Reading Journey Today!
Remember that learning about God is a journey. Sometimes the meaning of a Bible passage will be clearer the second or third time you read the Bible. And YES! After you read the entire Bible once, you will want to read it again and again. It’s that life changing.