How to Read the Bible in a Year (A Beginner’s Guide)

Reading the Bible in a year can feel like a big challenge—especially if you’ve never done it before.

But with the right plan and a few helpful tips, anyone can do it! Below is a simple guide to help you read the entire Bible in one year.

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1. Why Read the Bible in a Year?

• Get the “Big Picture.” Reading the Bible cover to cover helps you understand the overall story—from Genesis (the beginning) to Revelation (the end).
• Build a Habit. Daily Bible reading trains you to seek God’s wisdom regularly.
• Grow Spiritually. Consistent re

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2. Basic Bible Overview

How the Bible is Organized:

• Old Testament (39 books) – Tells the story of creation, the history of Israel, the prophets, and the promise of a Savior.
• New Testament (27 books) – Focuses on the life of Jesus (Gospels), the early church (Acts), letters to Christians (Epistles), and prophecy about the end times (Revelation).

Total Chapters:

There are 1,189 chapters in most Protestant Bibles. Splitting them evenly, you’d need to read around 3–4 chapters per day to complete them in 365 days.

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3. Choosing an Easy-to-Read Translation

As a beginner, it’s best to pick a translation that’s clear and understandable.

Some popular easy-to-read translations include:

• New Living Translation (NLT)
• New International Version (NIV)
• English Standard Version (ESV) (a bit more literal but still quite readable)

Choosing a version you find comfortable and easy to comprehend is key to staying consistent.

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4. Picking (or Creating) a Free Reading Plan

A. Classic “3-Chapters-a-Day” Plan

• Average Pace: 3–4 chapters a day.
• Structure: Start with Genesis, read three chapters daily, then move to the next book (Exodus, Leviticus, etc.) until you’ve gone through the entire Old Testament, then continue with the New Testament.
• Time to Finish: About one year (365 days).

B. Old Testament + New Testament Daily Plan

• Split Your Reading: Read 2 chapters from the Old Testament and 1 or 2 from the New Testament each day.
• Why It Helps: Balances the history, laws, and stories of the Old Testament with the teachings of Jesus and the early church.

C. Chronological Plan

• Reading in Historical Order: Some people prefer to read the events in the order they happened historically, rather than the order of the books in the Bible.
• Benefit: Gives you a sense of when events occurred in relation to each other.

D. Online & App-Based Plans

• Free Resources: Websites like BibleGateway.com or apps like YouVersion offer free daily reading plans.
• Reminders & Tracking: Many apps send notifications, track your progress, and provide short devotionals.

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5. Daily Tips to Stay on Track

1. Set a Specific Time

   • Mornings are great if you like to start your day with reading.
   • Evenings are good if you prefer unwinding with Scripture.
   • Just pick a time that works best for you and stick to it.

2. Find a Quiet Place

   • Minimize distractions by finding a calm environment.
   • Turn off or silence notifications on your phone if you’re not using a Bible app.

3. Use a Checklist or App

   • Mark off each day’s reading.
   • Many reading plans have checklists or “Day 1, Day 2” schedules to keep you accountable.

4. Invite a Friend

   • Reading with a partner or a small group helps you discuss and learn together.
   • Accountability makes it easier to keep going.

5. Don’t Get Discouraged if You Miss Days

   • Simply continue where you left off.
   • Consider making up the missed reading gradually (e.g., add one extra chapter each day until caught up).

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6. Practical Reading Schedule Example

Below is a sample “Old and New Testament Combined” plan for the first week to show you how it might look.

You can expand it for the entire year. Feel free to adapt it to your pace or use an online resource.

• Daily Reading: About 2 chapters from Genesis + 1 from Matthew.
• After you finish Matthew, move to Mark, and so on, while continuing through Genesis to Revelation.

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7. Make It Meaningful

Reading the Bible should be more than just a task to check off. Here are some ways to make your time more meaningful:

1. Pray Before You Read – Ask God for understanding and wisdom.
2. Take Notes – Write down new insights, questions, or anything that stands out.
3. Reflect – Think about how each passage relates to your life. Ask: “What is God teaching me here?”
4. Apply – Look for ways to put biblical truths into practice.

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8. Common Challenges (and How to Overcome Them)

1. Feeling Overwhelmed: Break your reading into smaller chunks. If 4 chapters per day is too much, read 2 per day and extend the plan beyond a year.
2. Difficult Passages: Some sections (like genealogies in Numbers or Chronicles) may seem tedious. Skim or briefly summarize them, but don’t skip entirely; they show us the bigger story.
3. Loss of Motivation: When you feel unmotivated, revisit why you started. Remember that consistent reading helps you grow in understanding and faith.
4. Time Management: Fit your reading into an existing habit (e.g., reading during breakfast or before bedtime).

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9. Final Encouragement

Reading the Bible in a year is a journey. There will be days you’ll find it hard to stick to your plan, but don’t get discouraged.

The goal isn’t to rush through the pages; it’s to learn, grow, and deepen your relationship with God.

Celebrate small milestones and keep your eyes on the bigger picture: completing the greatest book of all time and letting it transform you from the inside out.

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In Summary:

• Pick a simple, free reading plan (online or DIY) that fits your style.
• Choose an easy-to-understand Bible translation.
• Read about 3–4 chapters a day to finish in a year.
• Stay consistent: read at the same time and place if you can.
• Reflect on what you read and talk about it with friends or in a group.

That’s it! You now have all you need to start reading the Bible in a year. Take it one day at a time, and enjoy discovering the wisdom, comfort, and hope found in Scripture. You can do this!