5 Helpful Tips for Reading through the Bible in a Year
For years, I made the commitment and failed miserably over and over. I can’t tell you how many consecutive Januarys I made the resolution to read my Bible from cover to cover. I was an enthusiastic starter, but a terrible finisher.
I had great intentions. I love the Bible, and I love Jesus. But, somewhere in the middle of March, I would get lost in Old Testament genealogies and determine that I was more of a “New Testament Girl.”
I changed my ways after a little inspiration. I attended a workshop at a women’s conference where a passionate sister shared her heart on the importance of reading and knowing the whole counsel of God. Her enthusiasm for the subject inspired me to try once again – plus she gave me some practical advice that helped me to do so with greater success.
As a reformed “New Testament Girl,” I want to share 5 of my favorite hacks to help you complete the goal of reading through the entire Bible.
5 Helpful Tips for Reading Through the Bible in a Year
Choose a Bible translation that you find easy to read.
The first time I read through the Bible in a year, I read the New Living Translation.
Read a little from both Old and New Testament each day.
I used Tyndale’s One Year Bible, which is now free online and in mobile format.
Record one memorable verse from each day’s reading in a journal.
Read purposefully through your daily reading “looking” for your verse to remember.
Use a Bible Commentary or Study Bible to help you with the heavier Old Testament passages.
I am a huge fan of this quick reference devotional commentary by Warren Wiersbe that is very affordable and easy to read. I usually read the Old Testament commentary BEFORE I read my Bible each morning.
Decide to “take the plunge” with a friend.
I loved discussing the readings with my girlfriend over the phone. Knowing that she was reading each day motivated me to stick with it. It’s good to have a partner.
Reading through the Bible from cover to cover is a big commitment. If you fall behind, I would encourage you to just start back up again without worrying about “playing catch up.” It might take you more than a year to complete your goal, so give yourself grace if you need to slow down. If you find that the reading plan is too overwhelming for you, break up your readings into chunks for morning and evening or over two days.
A bonus tip is to pray about your commitment to read every verse in God’s Word. Ask God to help you complete this task. He delights to answer the prayers of His daughters who are seeking Him.
Need more inspiration? I’ve created a one-page printable to help you FUEL your quiet time. This simple 4-step format will help you focus in on one verse and see God’s Word come alive in your heart. Sign up today as a member of the Wildfire Faith Community and grab a copy in our Faith Fuel Library.
I am your servant; give me understanding,
that I may know your testimonies!
Psalms 119:125, ESV
These are great tips. It took me a few attempts before I managed to read through the Bible. I found a chronological plan helpful as it was good to understand how it all fits together. A modern translation and doing it with others for accountability definitely helped too!
I’d like to do the chronological version at some point. Right now, I am reading through with First 5, which is a slower read — one chapter a day. I think it will take like 4 years to do the whole Bible, but it’s a easier plan for me in this busy season.
One tip that has helped me get through the Bible is reading it out loud with my husband. Sometimes we listen to it together as we eat breakfast, but often it’s in the car, and we get SO far behind and have to do marathon reading sessions together, but we’ve made it three times through, and this year we’re starting again!
I love that bonding time.
Love that you do it together out loud, Michele. That is awesome! I have some friends who listen to the audio in the car on the drive to work.
Thankfully the church where I was saved had an emphasis on reading the Bible through, so that became a habit for me in my teens. I’m so thankful for being set on that path right away. I don’t do it in a year any more, as I wanted to be able to slow down when I felt I needed to. But reading the whole Bible keeps us balanced and leads us to precious nuggets that we wouldn’t otherwise find. Even the genealogies teach us that God keeps records and knows and cares about each of those obscure (to us) names. Thanks for these tips and encouragement!
That’s wonderful, Barbara. Yes, I think it’s very important to get the whole counsel of the Word.
I’ve read the Bible in a Year. I still always favor the KJV. My next plan is to read the bible chronologically. Reading through the Bible in a year made me realize that I’m an OT girl. I see myself in so many of the characters in the OT. I used to treat genealogies as a nuisance but they made me realize that God is indeed a God of order, he cares about the details, we’re not insignificant and last but not least they’re a great source for baby names.
Happy new year and thanks for hosting.
My first Bible was a KJV, and I still really love revisiting it. It’s just a hard translation to stick with for the heavier passages — so I commend you for doing the hard work. Wow
I love your hacks for reading the bible through in one year. I haven’t done that in quite a while. I’m sure it would help to infuse the word in my heart. I really like the hack of just start where you left off, you don’t have to finish in one year. As I tell my children, “It’s not a race.”.
Yes, I think that’s where some people get stuck. They get hopelessly behind when life is crazy, and then they feel overwhelmed and just give up.
Thanks for sharing that commentary, Lyli! I think I heard you mention it once, but hadn’t remembered the name. You’re causing me to think, friend. I appreciate that. I don’t think I could do the whole Bible in one year, but maybe I could go for two years…Praying about it!
I am doing it with First 5 now, which I think will take 4 years. 1 chapter a day with weekends off. Definitely more do-able.
Lyli, I have begun this year of reading and am currently on day 4! Yeah…made it that far! I like the idea of writing a verse from each day’s reading. I will begin that tomorrow. Thanks.
Yay! Excited for you
I love the suggestion of reading with intentionality and finding a meaningful verse to write each day. laurensparks.net
I attended a women’s conference with Becky Tirabassi where she encouraged us to try, and she mentioned the 1 verse a day focus. It was a game changer for me.
I joined a women’s Bible study group and we are reading through the Bible as well. It’s really helped to keep me accountable. I also purchased a an ESV Journal Bible meant to write notes in. Writing notes has helped me remember what I’ve read. I love your free printable!
I started using an ESV journaling Bible last year along with the First 5 app. I love writing some of my takeaways from the teaching in the margin. I bought another journaling Bible for church to write sermon notes in, too.
I don’t read through the Bible every year, but the years that I have done so it has been an amazing journey!
Yes, I took a break after doing it for several years, and I am trying to read through slower now. I am really enjoying it.