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One Year
Bible Reading Plan
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Click on the link to download a copy of the One Year Reading Plan.
One Year Bible Reading Plan
Bible reading is an essential component to living the Christian life. In Scripture the Bible is referred to as nourishment for the soul of the Christian. He did it to teach you that people do not live by bread alone; rather, we live by every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD. Deuteronomy 8:3 Not only is the Bible nourishment but it is needed to grow in maturity. All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 Unfortunately, we do not consume the Bible as we should and therefore we do not grow and mature, as God would intend. The best way to overcome this is by having a plan, a diet if you will, that will help us intake God’s Word on a consistent basis.
The Purpose of the Bible Reading Plan
The purpose of this Bible reading plan is to help you get into the totality of God’s Word on a regular basis. A reason why people do not read their Bibles is that they do not know where to begin or how to stay consistent. We fall into the trap of reading familiar passages or books and we just do not venture out into the unexplored books of the Bible. This plan will allow you to overcome this and to venture into the greatness of God’s Word.
The Format of the Bible Reading Plan
Each day there are three readings…one from the Old Testament, one from the New Testament, one from the Psalms or one from the Proverbs. This Bible reading plan is formatted in such a way as to take you through…
- the Old Testament once through the year
- the New Testament twice through the year
- the Psalms twice through the year
- the Proverbs twice through the year
How to Use the Bible Reading Plan
There are a variety of ways to use the Bible reading plan.
Here are four suggestions.
- First, you can read every passage each day. By the end of the year you will have read the Old Testament once, the New Testament twice, the Psalms and Proverbs twice.
- The second option is to choose either the New or Old Testament to read during the year.
- The third option is to read only Psalms and Proverbs during the year.
- A fourth option is to select one set of passages to read privately and then select another set of passages to read together as a couple or a family. For instance, you may choose to read the New Testament on your own privately and choose the Psalms to read as a couple/ family.
Basically, you are free to arrange your readings however is best for you
Helpful Tips to Get the Most Out of the Bible Reading Plan
First, do not think that reading through the Bible in a year is impossible. The plan is designed to break up the Bible in manageable readings. Each reading will on average be fifteen to twenty minutes. What is necessary is to set aside the time each day to read. The two best times will be in the morning before starting your day and before going to bed as you end your day.
Second, do not think that you must retain all the facts you come across during your reading. The purpose of your reading is not to pass an exam at the end of the year. The purpose is to have exposed yourself to the breadth of God’s Word. You will be surprised how much you remember throughout your reading and how that impacts your study of God’s Word. It is helpful to have some good resources on hand when you want to study a passage further. Both The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Abridged Version and The Bible Knowledge Commentary are an easy to use and understand two-volume commentary set on the entire Bible. Also, the Holman Bible Dictionary is a useful resource to look up key terms, people, and places.
Third, be on the look out for pearls. While you are reading, the Spirit of God may cause a certain passage to speak directly to you. When this occurs, have a pen or highlighter ready to mark the passage. Then stop for a moment and begin to pray over why that passage stands out and how it applies to your life.
Fourth, if you get behind in your reading, do not feel burdened to get caught up. Many people can quit a Bible reading plan because they get behind in their reading and feel pressured to read double or even tripe each day. If you miss a few days, just start back on the current day’s reading. You can mark those days you missed and some point later you can go back and read them.
Fifth, try using a different translation of the Bible. Reading through the Bible in another translation can help avoid over familiarity with the text. Recommended translations are the New International Version, New American Standard, English Standard Version, and the New King James.
Sixth, come to each reading with an expectation that you are going to hear from God. Do not see your reading as a chore or as a checklist.
Remember what is written in Hebrews,
For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two- edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. Hebrews 4:12