Here are some possible systematic Bible reading plans to consider.
There’s no need to wait for the beginning of the year (or a month) to start reading. Feel free to start any plan at any time. Just jump in and begin. There’s no need to catch up what you missed.
If this is your first time reading the Bible, we recommend starting with the New Testament. If this seems a bit overwhelming, check out the monthly reading plans. (Save the Old Testament and entire Bible plans for later.)
- Read the Entire Bible in a year (12 to 15 minutes a day)
- Read the Old Testament in a year (10 to 12 minutes a day)
- Read the New Testament in a year (3 to 4 minutes a day, Monday through Friday)
- Monthly Bible reading plans (3 to 4 minutes a day)
The least effective way to read the Bible is to start on page 1 and read straight through to the end.
The different sections, or books, of the Bible are grouped by category more than in chronological order, so a sequential reading doesn’t make much sense.
For more information, see the overview of books in the Bible.
A lifelong student of the Bible, Peter DeHaan, PhD, wrote the 1,000-page website ABibleADay.com to encourage people to explore the Bible. His main blog and many books urge Christians to push past the status quo and reconsider how they practice their faith in every area of their lives.
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