If you want to read the Bible, whether for devotion, tradition, or personal interest, a realistic timeframe for reading the entire Bible is a year. Before reading, determine effective ways to read the Bible so that it can be completed in a year, for example in groups or alone, using one or more translations, reading the Bible with explanations or without writing background information. You can create your own schedule or apply the schedule in this article and then monitor the progress.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Making a Bible Reading Schedule
Step 1. Set aside time to read each day
To keep you focused on reading very long texts, set aside a certain amount of time to read the Bible each day, such as 20 minutes to 1 hour a day depending on your reading speed and ability to concentrate. If you can set aside time for reflection as you go about your daily life, use that time to read the Bible.
- Make a reading schedule and monitor progress. Check the completed daily schedule each time you finish reading.
- If you're not used to speed reading and can spare about 10 minutes a day, reading the entire Bible can take more than a year. Set aside at least 20 minutes a day in case you don't have time to read for a few days and need more time to read difficult-to-understand verses.
Step 2. Find out how many pages of the Bible you want to read
Turn to the last page and divide the number of pages by 365. Read the Bible every day according to the results of the division. For example, if the Bible you want to read contains 1,760 pages, read 4.8 pages per day. Rounded up, you need to read 5 pages per day. Monitor reading progress once a month to make sure the monthly target is met.
If you're having trouble reaching your daily goals because your schedule is very busy or changes frequently, set weekly or monthly goals
Step 3. Read the Bible with others
Reading the Bible with friends, in a community, or with a group makes it easier for you to reach your target and understand the text you are reading. If you attend church, join an ecumenical organization, or join a prayer meeting, form a Bible reading group. Determine a meeting schedule that all members can attend to read the Bible together. In addition, each member may read the Bible at home and then gather for discussion once a month.
- Invite a friend or family member to form a Bible reading group. Friends who live out of town or abroad can be members of the group. Agree on the target to be achieved and then set a schedule for discussion via the internet or telephone.
- Take a Bible course. Look for Bible study courses online or go to community colleges, prayer groups, or churches. Take courses that require participants to read the entire Bible so that you are motivated to read while learning about the historical background of Bible writing.
Step 4. Form a reading habit that makes it easier for you to concentrate
Reading biblical texts cannot be just cursory. Determine the most appropriate way of reading so that you really understand each verse as best you can. Reading aloud or repeatedly is an easy way to memorize texts.
- If you find it easier to concentrate in the morning, read the Bible every morning. If you find it easier to concentrate at night, read the Bible every night.
- If you have trouble concentrating, read a few verses over a certain length of time. For example, after reading for 20 minutes, drink a glass of water while taking a break, then continue reading for the next 20 minutes.
Step 5. Listen to the audio Bible
If you'd rather listen to audio recordings of Bible readings while tidying your house or exercising instead of reading, download an audio Bible app. Use the internet to search for audio Bible apps that will help you complete your Bible reading in a year.
In addition to reading, you can listen to recorded Bible readings. For example, if you choose a certain translated version to read, use another translation when listening to the audio Bible
Step 6. Create an account on a Bible website that sends daily readings by email
If you don't have time to open a Bible book every day, but do email very often, read the Bible sent by daily email. This step keeps you motivated every time an email is marked "read".
Step 7. Read the Bible as part of a prayer
If you read the Bible for devotion, incorporate Bible reading into your daily prayer routine. Pray before and after reading. Read the Bible while praying by saying the verse being read. Ask God to guide you as you read the Bible. Read the Bible with curiosity or without any desire so that you are able to understand the wise messages in the Bible.
Method 2 of 3: Determining the Order of Reading the Bible
Step 1. Read the Bible from the first page to the last
Think of the Bible as a novel and read from Genesis to Revelation. This step is more suitable for people who want to read the Bible in the order of canonization (the ordering of the books is inspired by the Holy Spirit) or has difficulty quickly searching for a verse or book. If you experience this, ignore the verse number. Read the Bible from the first page.
If needed, buy a Bible that doesn't include verse numbers
Step 2. Read the Bible in chronological order
You may read the Bible in the order in which events occurred. Look for an online Bible reading schedule in order of events. You need to read the Bible alternately if you want to read in chronological order. For example, you need to read the Book of Job while reading the Book of Genesis because Job lived at the time recounted in the Book of Genesis.
Step 3. Read the Bible at the time it was written
Bible reading can use the estimated year of writing. Use this method if you want to read Bibles by multiple authors who respond to and revise someone else's work. Find the estimated year of the Bible's writing online.
Method 3 of 3: Reading the Bible from Beginning to End
Step 1. Read the Bible daily starting in January
One way to complete Bible reading is to read every day starting in January. If you're scheduled to start reading the following month, revise the schedule as needed.
Step 2. Read Genesis and Exodus during January
Both books are part of the Pentateuch (the first 5 books in the Bible) which contain rules and instructions for how to live life for the Israelites.
- Read 3 chapters every day. With this method, the Book of Genesis would be finished on January 17th and the Book of Exodus on January 31st.
- If you want to implement this schedule, but can't start in January, adjust the schedule as needed.
Step 3. Read Leviticus and Numbers followed by Deuteronomy in February
At this time, you are still reading the Book which discusses the rules. Read about 3 chapters every day. The number of verses in each chapter varies.
- Read 4 chapters on February 1, February 2-4 3 chapters per day, February 5 2 chapters, February 6-7 3 chapters per day, February 8-13 2 chapters per day, and February 14 1 chapter.
- Read 3 chapters per day on February 15-16, February 17-18 2 chapters per day, February 19 3 chapters, February 20 2 chapters, February 21 3 chapters, February 22 2 chapters, February 23 3 chapters, and 24-28 February 2 chapters per day.
- If you read according to that schedule, Leviticus will be finished on February 10 and Numbers on February 26. On the last day of February, you will finish reading Deuteronomy up to chapter 4 (the first 4 chapters of Deuteronomy).
Step 4. Read all of Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, and part of 1 Samuel during March
The book of Deuteronomy is the last book of the Old Testament which contains the rules. Other books to be read this month include the history books in the Old Testament that tell the lives of God's chosen people.
- Start reading from chapter 5 of Deuteronomy. Read 3 chapters per day on March 1-4, March 5 4 chapters, March 6 3 chapters, March 7 4 chapters, March 8-9 2 chapters per day, and March 10 3 chapters.
- Read 4 chapters per day March 11-12, March 13 3 chapters, March 14 4 chapters, March 15-17 3 chapters per day, March 18 2 chapters, March 19 3 chapters, and March 20-21 2 chapters per day.
- Read 3 chapters per day on March 22-25, March 26 4 chapters, March 27 3 chapters, March 28 5 chapters, March 29 4 chapters, March 30 2 chapters, and March 31 3 chapters.
- If you read according to this schedule, Deuteronomy will be finished on March 10, Joshua March 17, Judges March 25, and Ruth March 26. Also, you can complete the first 17 chapters of 1 Samuel. This means, you have read more than half of 1 Samuel.
Step 5. Complete reading 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel, 1 Kings, and 2 Kings in April
This book is a historical book in the Old Testament.
- On April 1, read 3 chapters starting with 1 Samuel 18. Continue 4 chapters on April 2, April 3 3 chapters, April 4 4 chapters, April 5 3 chapters, April 6 4 chapters, April 7 5 chapters, and 8- April 11 3 chapters per day.
- Read 2 chapters on April 12, April 13 3 chapters, April 14-16 2 chapters per day, April 17-19 3 chapters per day, and April 20 2 chapters.
- Read 3 chapters on April 21, April 22 2 chapters, April 23-26 3 chapters, April 27 2 chapters, April 28-29 3 chapters per day, and April 30 2 chapters.
- According to this schedule, you will finish reading 1 Samuel on April 4, 2 Samuel on April 11, 1 Kings on April 20, and 2 Kings on April 29. You can start reading 1 Chronicles on the last day of April.
Step 6. Read 1 Chronicles, 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther in May
The book of Esther is the last book of history in the Old Testament.
- Read the first 3 chapters of 1 Chronicles in early May. Read 3 chapters on May 1, May 2 1 chapter, May 3 2 chapters, May 4-6 3 chapters per day, May 7 4 chapters, and May 8-10 3 chapters per day.
- Read 4 chapters on May 11, May 12 3 chapters, May 13 4 chapters, May 14 5 chapters, May 15 3 chapters, May 16 4 chapters, May 17 3 chapters, May 18 4 chapters, May 19 3 chapters, and May 20 2 chapters.
- Read 3 chapters on May 21, May 22 4 chapters, May 23-25 3 chapters per day, May 26 1 chapter, May 27-29 2 chapters per day, and May 30-31 5 chapters per day.
- With this schedule, you will finish reading 1 Chronicles on May 10, 2 Chronicles May 20, Ezra May 23, Nehemiah May 29, and Esther May 31.
Step 7. Read the Book of Job and some of the Psalms in June
This book is a literary book in the Old Testament.
- Read the Book of Job starting from chapter 1. Read 4 chapters on June 1, June 2-5 3 chapters per day, June 6 4 chapters, June 7 3 chapters, June 8 5 chapters, and June 9-11 3 chapters per day.
- Read 2 chapters on June 12, June 13 3 chapters, June 14-15 8 chapters, June 16 4 chapters, June 17 5 chapters, June 18 6 chapters, and June 19-20 4 chapters per day.
- Read 6 chapters on June 21, June 22 5 chapters, June 23 7 chapters, June 24 8 chapters, June 25-27 4 chapters per day, June 28 2 chapters, June 29 6 chapters, and June 30 4 chapters.
- According to this schedule, you will finish reading the Book of Job on June 13 and more than half of the Psalms.
Step 8. Read Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon, and parts of Isaiah in July
The books of Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Solomon belong to the literary group of books in the Old Testament.
- Start reading from Psalm 90. Read 6 chapters on July 1, July 2 7 chapters, July 3 3 chapters, July 4 2 chapters, July 5 7 chapters, July 6 4 chapters, July 7-8 1 chapter (Psalm 119 is chapter 1 long), July 9 13 chapters, and July 10 7 chapters.
- Read 6 chapters on July 11, July 12 5 chapters, July 13-19 3 chapters per day, and July 20 2 chapters.
- Read 3 chapters per day on July 21-22, July 23 2 chapters, July 24-26 4 chapters per day, July 27 8 chapters, and July 28-31 4 chapters per day.
- According to this schedule, you will finish reading the Psalms on July 12, Proverbs on July 23, Ecclesiastes on July 26, and the Song of Solomon on July 27. Use the last 4 days of July to read the first 17 chapters of the Book of Isaiah.
Step 9. Finish reading the Books of Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Lamentations in August
The book belongs to the group of Great Prophets containing prophecies and warnings given by the prophets of the Israelites.
- Read Isaiah chapter 18 in early August. Read 5 chapters per day on August 1-2, August 3 3 chapters, August 4 5 chapters, August 5 6 chapters, August 6 3 chapters, and August 7-10 5 chapters per day.
- Read 3 chapters per day on August 11-14, August 15-16 4 chapters per day, August 17 5 chapters, August 18 3 chapters, August 19 4 chapters, and August 20 2 chapters.
- Read 3 chapters per day on August 21-22, August 23-24 4 chapters per day, August 25 3 chapters, August 26-27 2 chapters per day, August 28 3 chapters, August 29 2 chapters, and August 30-31 4 chapters per day.
- According to this schedule, you will finish reading the Book of Isaiah on August 11, Jeremiah August 27, and Ecclesiastes August 29. You can start reading the Book of Ezekiel the last 2 days of August.
Step 10. Read Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, and Zechariah in September
The books of Ezekiel and Daniel are included in the Book of the Great Prophets, while the other books read this month are included in the Book of the Minor Prophets. The material that needs to be read this month seems overwhelming, but some books are not very long because they only contain a few chapters.
- Start reading the Book of Ezekiel chapter 9. Read 4 chapters on September 1, September 2 3 chapters, September 3 2 chapters, September 4 3 chapters, September 5-6 2 chapters per day, and September 7-18 3 chapters per day.
- Read 7 chapters on September 19-20, September 21 3 chapters, September 22 5 chapters, September 23 4 chapters, September 24 5 chapters, September 25 7 chapters, September 26 3 chapters, September 27 6 chapters, September 28 2 chapters, and September 29-30 7 chapters per day.
- According to this schedule, you will finish reading the Book of Ezekiel on September 14, Daniel September 18, Hosea September 20, Joel September 21, Amos September 23, Obadiah and Jonah September 24, Micah September 25, Nahum September 26, Habakkuk and Zephaniah September 27, Haggai September 28, and Zechariah September 30.
Step 11. Read the Book of Malachi, the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and most of Luke in October
The Book of Malachi is the last book in the Old Testament. So you can finish reading the Old Testament and start reading the New Testament in October if you read according to this schedule. In addition, you can start reading the text commonly called the Gospels in the New Testament.
- Read the Book of Malachi starting from chapter 1. Read 4 chapters per day on October 1-2, October 3-7 2 chapters per day, October 8 3 chapters, October 9-12 2 chapters per day, October 13 1 chapter, October 14 2 chapters, and October 15 3 chapters.
- Read 2 chapters per day on October 16-20, October 21 1 chapter, October 22 2 chapters, October 23 1 chapter, October 24-29 2 chapters per day, October 30 3 chapters, and October 31 2 chapters.
- If you apply this schedule consistently, you will finish reading Malachi on October 1, Matthew's Gospel on October 14, and Mark on October 22.
Step 12. Finish reading Luke, John, Acts, and Romans, then start reading 1 Corinthians in November
By the end of November, you will have finished reading the four Gospels and studying history by reading the Book of the Apostles. In addition, you can start reading the Letters, which are letters addressed to certain congregations.
- Begin reading the Gospel of Luke chapter 19 in early November. Read 2 chapters per day on November 1-9, 3 chapters per day on November 10-15.
- Read 2 chapters on November 16, November 17 3 chapters, November 18-19 2 chapters per day, November 20-24 3 chapters per day, November 25 4 chapters, November 26-28 3 chapters per day, and November 29-30 4 chapters per day.
- According to this schedule, you will finish reading the Gospel of Luke on November 3, the Gospel of John on November 12, Acts of the Apostles on November 23, and Romans on November 28.
Step 13. Finish reading the entire Bible in December
The books to be read this month are 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians, 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon, Hebrews, James, 1 Peter, 2 Peter, 1 John, 2 John, 3 John, Jude, and Revelation. All of them are included in the Epistles, except the Book of Revelation because it is considered to contain prophecy. This schedule seems very tight when viewed from the number of books that need to be read, but some of the text books are short or only 1 chapter.
- Start reading from 1 Corinthians chapter 9. Read 3 chapters per day on December 1-2, December 3 2 chapters, December 4 4 chapters, December 5 5 chapters, December 6 4 chapters, and December 7-10 3 chapters per day.
- Read 4 chapters on December 11, December 12 4 chapters, December 13 5 chapters, December 14 3 chapters, December 15 6 chapters, December 16-17 4 chapters per day, December 18 6 chapters, December 19 4 chapters, and December 20 3 chapters.
- Read 5 chapters on December 21, December 22 5 chapters, December 23 3 chapters, December 24 5 chapters, December 25 3 chapters, December 26 3 chapters, December 27 5 chapters, December 28-29 4 chapters per day, and 30- 31 December 3 chapters per day.
- According to this schedule, you will finish reading 1 Corinthians on December 3, 2 Corinthians December 6, Galatians December 8, Ephesians December 10, Philippians December 11, Colossians December 12, 1 Thessalonians December 13, 2 Thessalonians December 14, 1 Timothy December 15, 2 Timothy December 16, Titus and Philemon December 17, Hebrews December 20, James December 21, 1 Peter on December 22, 2 Peter December 23, 1 John December 24, John 2-3 and Jude December 25, Revelation December 31.
- The most important aspect that you can realize is the completion of reading the Bible from the first to the last page in a year.
