If you’re thinking of making a resolution to read through the Bible in 2016, you’re not alone. Deciding to read through the Bible is one of the most common New Year’s resolutions among Christians. There are a number of different methods you can use to read through the Bible this year – and many of them are free and available online!
Here’s a list of some of the most popular reading plans, ranging from reading the New Testament in 40 days to reading through the entire Bible in a year or more.
1. Read by book order
This one-year plan will lead you through the Bible from beginning to end without taking any detours – it will allow you to focus on each individual passage in its traditional context. If you really want to take some extra time to meditate on the Scriptures, however, you can try a similar plan in a two-year version.
2. Read by chronological order
For history buffs and story lovers alike, this one-year chronological plan will help you understand the historical context behind each verse you read. If you've ever wanted to know exactly where Paul's letters fit into the book of Acts, this plan just might be the one for you.
3. Read the New Testament
If reading through the entire Bible sounds a bit overwhelming right now, you can start by just reading through the New Testament. This particular plan will only take you 40 days.
4. Read by theme
With this plan, you’ll be led through the Bible thematically in one year. This plan will allow you to see connections between passages of Scripture that you might not have noticed before.
5. Read for 90 Days
Not for the faint of heart, this plan will challenge you to read the entire Bible in 90 days. Reading the Bible in 90 days may seem daunting, but you can accomplish this plan by reading approximately 12-14 chapters per day. If you want to get a big picture overview of the entire Bible quickly, this would be a good plan to try.
While we don’t consider any one reading plan to be superior to another, we do know that we have all been called to faithfully pursue God through reading His Word. Regular and consistent Bible reading and study is critical to growing as a disciple and being a disciple-maker. We hope this list will help you find a plan that is right for you.
No matter which plan you chose – whether it’s one of these or a different plan altogether – we hope you’ll commit to reading God’s Word throughout 2016. Happy New Year!
