Bible Reading
Personal Bible Reading
Often it can be helpful to have a particular plan or strategy to help you read the Bible more regularly and fruitfully. You might find some of the resources listed below helpful.
COMA Bible Study
Check out these helpful videos produced by The Bible Project that give overviews of different books of the Bible.
Bible Reading Plans
The Bible provides the clearest and most certain revelation of God’s character and will. If you want to enjoy the deep satisfaction of knowing and serving his son, Jesus, then reading the Bible is essential for you! Using a reading plan can be helpful to keep you on track. You could read the whole Bible in a year (or two) or just read a section of the Bible (the New Testament, the Psalms, Paul’s letters).
Here are some recommended resources that can help you:
Bible Project has a massive library of videos that teach the Bible and equip people to read it. The reading plans incorporate videos (covering book and theme overviews) alongside Bible passages for each day.
Visit www.thebibleproject.com for a PDF checklist or subscribe to the email newsletter
Get the “Read Scripture” app on your mobile device (has the ESV and a great interface)
Subscribe to a plan through YouVersion (you can also listen to readings via the audio Bible)
Whole Bible (includes a Psalm each day) - 365 days
Old Testament - 365 days
New Testament - 365 days
One Story that Leads to Jesus (Whole Bible. Includes 150 videos that teach you to read the Bible well) - 358 days
Robert Murray M’Cheyne’s classic plan (1842) ambitiously takes you through the whole Bible in a year (twice through the New Testament and Psalms) and moves you across different parts of the Bible in parallel. In 2020, the Gospel Coalition developed resources to go alongside this plan (devotional reflections, articles and a podcast). Check out the relaunch for 2021 at https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/read-bible-2021-insanely-normal-times.
Stephen Witmer has a two year Bible reading plan that takes a slower (and perhaps more achievable) approach, including catch-up days. He goes through a book of the Bible at a time but often breaks them up into literary units where the chapter divisions are unhelpful. Download a PDF at www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/two-year-bible-reading-plan/
The Jesus Disciple “Whole Bible” Reading Plan covers the whole Bible in a whole year but attempts to do so in chronological order and linking passages together. For example, while reading about events in David’s life in 1 Samuel you will also read psalms he wrote in connection to those events or while reading about certain kings you will also read the words of the prophets who ministered to them. This is best for people already familiar with the Bible who can appreciate the connections and manage jumping between various books. Check it out here - https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/29051-solid-life-whole-bible-reading-plan
Alternatively, simply search for partial Bible reading plans in YouVersion and read the New Testament or the Gospels of Paul’s letters or the Minor Prophets!
Psalms and Proverbs (one chapter a day) - 181 days
1 & 2 Samuel (one chapter a day) - 55 days
Paul’s letters (one or two chapters a day) - 60 days
There is a great list here of 18 Bible reading plans.
Finally, make sure you check out the Dwell Bible app which is a wonderful resource with loads of reading plans. It is a little pricey but you won't regret it! And lifetime subscriptions often go on sale so if you start with a trial, you might be able to get a bargain later.