Over the years, I have used no shortage of Bible reading plans to help me stay consistent in the discipline of reading my Bible. I normally don’t stick to one plan forever, and I often find that, for most people, the best plan is the one that keeps you in the Word. Below is a list of Bible reading plans that I or others have recommended. The primary benefit of any plan is that you actually have a plan, and you’re not left wondering where to start on any given day. Although Bible reading plans aren’t for everyone, they do help many flourish in their Bible reading and can consistently help you work through the entire Bible. Whatever plan you choose, I pray that God’s Word would continue to nourish and encourage you to be fruitful in Christ.
“Open our eyes that we may behold wondrous things out of your law.” (Ps. 119:18)
Pastor Aaron Garness
My favorite plan by far, since you read both the Old and New Testaments every day. This plan will have you read through the NT and Psalms twice, and the OT once, throughout the year. Every day you will read four different parts of Scripture, which can help you see the themes that span the whole storyline of the Bible. If you're starting this plan at the beginning of the year, I encourage you to just start on the day you're beginning the plan. You can find a PDF of this plan HERE
This is another helpful plan because it walks you through the Bible in the order that the events took place. One of the main benefits is that it helps you see the storyline of Scripture more clearly, especially how the prophets fit within Israel’s history and how the whole Bible points us forward to Christ. If you’ve ever felt confused about how the different books of the Bible connect, this plan can give you a better sense of the big picture and help you read with greater understanding. As with any plan, I would encourage you not to get discouraged if you fall behind; simply pick up where you left off and keep going. You can find a PDF of this plan HERE
This is a great option for those who want to read through the Bible in a year but know that reading every single day can be hard to maintain. The benefit of this plan is that it gives you five readings each week, which means there is built-in room to catch up, review, or spend a little extra time in a passage that stood out to you. I also appreciate that it keeps you regularly in both the Old and New Testaments, while still helping you move steadily through the whole Bible. If you tend to get discouraged when you miss a day, this plan may be especially helpful, as it offers a bit more flexibility while still keeping you on track. You can find a PDF of this plan HERE
This plan by Greg Lanier is a little different from a normal yearly Bible reading plan because it focuses on the main passages that help you see the story of redemption unfold from creation to new creation. Rather than trying to read every chapter of the Bible, it helps you slow down, connect the dots, and see how the Old Testament promises find their fulfillment in Christ. I especially appreciate how this plan pairs key Old Testament passages with New Testament passages, helping you better understand the unity of Scripture and the glory of Jesus at the center of it all. This would be a great option if you want to deepen your understanding of the Bible's big picture without feeling the pressure to keep up with a daily schedule. You can find a PDF of this plan HERE
This plan is helpful because each day of the week is devoted to a different section or genre of Scripture: epistles, the law, history, Psalms, poetry, prophecy, and the Gospels. One of the benefits of this approach is that it gives you variety throughout the week, which can keep you from getting bogged down in one portion of the Bible for too long. It also helps you see the richness of Scripture by spending time in different kinds of biblical writing and learning to read each one on its own terms. If you enjoy structure but also appreciate variety, this plan may be a good fit because it keeps you moving through the whole Bible while giving each day a slightly different focus. You can find a PDF of this plan HERE
This plan is a good option if you want to read through the whole Bible at a slower and more manageable pace. Over two years, you will read through the Old Testament and New Testament once, while reading through Psalms and Proverbs four times. I especially appreciate how this plan gives you more time to meditate on what you are reading, rather than feeling rushed to get through several chapters every day. The repeated times in Psalms and Proverbs are also helpful because they keep you regularly engaged in the prayers, songs, and wisdom of Scripture as you work through the larger storyline of the Bible. If a one-year plan has ever felt too fast or overwhelming, this may be a wise and encouraging way to stay in the Word with consistency. You can find a PDF of this plan HERE