How to Read the Bible in a Year: Sample Reading Plans & Strategies

PDF download Download Article
Find the Bible reading plan that fits your lifestyle and goals
PDF download Download Article

With 66 books, 1,189 chapters, and over 750,000 words, reading the Bible in a year can seem like a daunting goal—but with the right attitude and study plan in place, it’s far easier to achieve than you may think. We’ve done all the research and found some study plans we think you’ll really resonate with, along with some tips and tricks to help boost your chances for a successful read-through. With a little prayer, patience, and practice, you can make diving into God’s Word a part of your daily life.

What is the best way to read the Bible in 1 year?

Find a Bible reading plan that best aligns with your schedule and spiritual goals. Some plans encourage you to read the Bible in order, while others invite you to dive into multiple parts of the Bible at once. It can also help to read from a Bible translation that you enjoy, and to find friends to read along with you.

Section 1 of 3:

Sample Year-Long Bible Reading Plan

PDF download Download Article
Day Verses
Sample Bible Reading Plan (by Month)
January Genesis, Exodus 1-26, Matthew 1-21
February Exodus 27-40, Leviticus, Numbers 1-25, Matthew 21-28, Mark 1-8
March Numbers 26-36, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges 1-5, Mark 8-16, Luke 1-7
April Judges 6-21, Ruth, 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel, Luke 8-22
May 1 Kings, 2 Kings, 1 Chronicles, 2 Chronicles 1-3, Luke 22-24, John 1-12
June 2 Chronicles 4-36, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, Job 1-20, John 12-21, Acts 1-9
July Job 21-42, Psalms 1-64, Acts 10-28, Romans 1
August Psalms 65-147, Romans 2-16, 1 Corinthians 1-11
September Psalms 148-150, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon, Isaiah 1-21, 1 Corinthians 11-16, 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians 1-2
October Isaiah 22-66, Jeremiah 1-30, Ephesians 3-6, Philippians, Colossians, 1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians, 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Titus 1
November Jeremiah 31-52, Lamentations, Ezekiel 1-44, Titus 2-3, Philemon, Hebrews, James, 1 Peter, 2 Peter 1-2
December Ezekiel 45-48, Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi, 2 Peter 3, 1 John, 2 John, 3 John, Jude, Revelation
  • This Bible-reading plan was created by The Gideons International organization. Click or tap here to view and download a day-by-day breakdown of this reading schedule.
Section 2 of 3:

Popular Bible Reading Plans

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/9\/92\/2416417-2.jpg\/v4-460px-2416417-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/92\/2416417-2.jpg\/v4-728px-2416417-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>Image by: Uploader<br>\nLicense: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Take the number of pages in your edition of the Bible and divide it by 365—then, read that number of pages every day . For example, if your edition of the Bible has 1,760 pages, that’s around 4.8 pages a day (or 5, rounded up). If a daily reading plan doesn’t make sense with your schedule, try calculating a monthly page count instead. Just divide the number of pages in your Bible by 12 instead of 365.
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/7d\/2416417-3.jpg\/v4-460px-2416417-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/7d\/2416417-3.jpg\/v4-728px-2416417-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>Image by: Uploader<br>\nLicense: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    If you’re starting your Bible-reading plan at the beginning of the month (like January), you might find a front-to-back plan to be helpful. Starting at Genesis, you’ll work your way through the Old Testament, followed by the New Testament, reading specific books of the Bible each month.
    • Month 1 (January): Genesis & Exodus
    • Month 2 (February): Leviticus, Numbers & Deuteronomy
    • Month 3 (March): Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth & 1 Samuel
    • Month 4 (April): 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel, 1 Kings & 2 Kings
    • Month 5 (May): 1 Chronicles, 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah & Esther
    • Month 6 (June): Job & Psalms
    • Month 7 (July): Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon & Isaiah
    • Month 8 (August): Isaiah, Jeremiah & Lamentations
    • Month 9 (September): Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai & Zechariah
    • Month 10 (October): Malachi, Matthew, Mark & Luke
    • Month 11 (November): Luke, John, Acts, Romans & 1 Corinthians
    • Month 12 (December): 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 & Revelation
    Advertisement
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/e4\/2416417-4.jpg\/v4-460px-2416417-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/e4\/2416417-4.jpg\/v4-728px-2416417-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>Image by: Uploader<br>\nLicense: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    This reading plan organizes the Bible in the chronological order that biblical events occurred, rather than the standard order of books, chapters, and verses that you’d normally see in the Bible. In this plan, you might jump between books before “officially” finishing one—for example, Day 3 of this plan has you reading Genesis 8-11, while Day 4 switches to Job 1-5. [1]
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/4\/4f\/2416417-5.jpg\/v4-460px-2416417-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/4f\/2416417-5.jpg\/v4-728px-2416417-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>Image by: Uploader<br>\nLicense: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    The standard order of books you see in most Bibles doesn’t reflect the order in which these books were written. Instead of reading the Bible from start to finish, consult this historical timeline of Bible book publications and read them in that order instead.
  5. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/7b\/2416417-6.jpg\/v4-460px-2416417-6.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/7b\/2416417-6.jpg\/v4-728px-2416417-6.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>Image by: Uploader<br>\nLicense: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Some reading plans encourage you to dive into multiple sections of the Bible at once rather than just one book at a time. For instance, this plan encourages you to read parts of the Old and New Testament simultaneously, while this plan invites you to read from the Old Testament, New Testament, and Psalms or Proverbs all at once.
  6. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/4\/4e\/2416417-7.jpg\/v4-460px-2416417-7.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/4e\/2416417-7.jpg\/v4-728px-2416417-7.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>Image by: Uploader<br>\nLicense: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    The Catholic Bible includes extra books known as the Apocrypha that are otherwise excluded from Protestant Bibles. If you’d like to include these extra books in your yearly reading plan, check out this robust Catholic reading plan .
  7. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/35\/2416417-8.jpg\/v4-460px-2416417-8.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/35\/2416417-8.jpg\/v4-728px-2416417-8.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>Image by: Uploader<br>\nLicense: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Are you a particularly fast reader, or just up for a harder challenge? You might find this plan to be a bit more invigorating, which has you reading the Bible in 6 months rather than 1 year. [2]
    8. Advertisement
Section 3 of 3:

Bible Reading Tips for Success

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/5e\/2416417-9.jpg\/v4-460px-2416417-9.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/5e\/2416417-9.jpg\/v4-728px-2416417-9.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>Image by: Uploader<br>\nLicense: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    There isn’t just one version of the Bible—over the centuries, people have rewritten the Bible in many different ways. Choose from one of the following statements below and see which one you resonate with most. [3]
    • I’m a total newbie and want something easy to understand. Best versions: CEV, GNB/TEV, JB, MSG, TLB, NLT, NIV
    • I want to really dive deep into the meanings of individual verses. Best versions: ESV, KJV, NKJB, NRSV
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/b\/bd\/2416417-10.jpg\/v4-460px-2416417-10.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/b\/bd\/2416417-10.jpg\/v4-728px-2416417-10.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>Image by: Uploader<br>\nLicense: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Tackling the entire Bible in one year is a huge and impressive goal—but there’s nothing wrong with starting out with a smaller plan first. If you’d rather just get your footing in a daily Bible-reading plan, you might enjoy:
    • Isaiah Plan : 71 days total ( covers the book of Isaiah )
    • Gospel Plan : 45 days total ( covers Matthew, Mark, Luke & John )
    • Psalms Plan : 150 days total ( covers the book of Psalms )
    • Wisdom Plan : 60 days total ( covers Psalms, Proverbs & Song of Solomon/Songs )
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/c9\/2416417-11.jpg\/v4-460px-2416417-11.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/c9\/2416417-11.jpg\/v4-728px-2416417-11.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>Image by: Uploader<br>\nLicense: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Do you feel at your freshest and most alert when you first wake up, or after you’ve started to wind down at the end of the day? Whatever the case, schedule your daily Bible readings for a time that makes the most sense for you, your schedule, and your energy levels.
    • If you get up early, you might do your Bible readings while eating breakfast.
    • If you have a long commute to work, you might listen your Bible readings in audio form with plans like the Chapter-A-Day Audio Bible . (With this specific plan, you’ll need to listen to multiple chapters per day to meet your goal.)
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/9\/9a\/2416417-12.jpg\/v4-460px-2416417-12.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/9a\/2416417-12.jpg\/v4-728px-2416417-12.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>Image by: Uploader<br>\nLicense: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    To get through a long text without losing focus, try reading your Bible for a regular amount of time every day. You might read for twenty minutes to an hour, depending on your reading speed and attention span.
    • It can help to keep a calendar and track your progress. Tick a box every day you do your reading.
  5. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/e4\/2416417-13.jpg\/v4-460px-2416417-13.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/e4\/2416417-13.jpg\/v4-728px-2416417-13.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>Image by: Uploader<br>\nLicense: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Since you’re starting out with a brand-new Bible-reading plan, it makes sense to start out with a brand-new Bible (especially if you’re planning to read from a different translation than you normally would). Bibles don’t have to be expensive at all; in fact, you can easily get a Bible for under $10:
  6. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/9\/97\/2416417-14.jpg\/v4-460px-2416417-14.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/97\/2416417-14.jpg\/v4-728px-2416417-14.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>Image by: Uploader<br>\nLicense: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Studying the Bible with fellow believers provides an even more enriching experience as you dive into the deeper meanings of God’s Word. It also helps you create firmer bonds within your faith family, which is an important aspect of being a Christian. [4]
    • Other people can also hold you accountable to your daily reading plan, and help you stay motivated as you follow through with your goals.
  7. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/1\/19\/2416417-15.jpg\/v4-460px-2416417-15.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/19\/2416417-15.jpg\/v4-728px-2416417-15.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>Image by: Uploader<br>\nLicense: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Think of Bible commentaries as in-depth analyses on different aspects of the Bible. While they certainly aren’t a requirement for reading the Bible, they can provide valuable insights that really enrich your reading experiences. [5] Here are some commentaries that are geared toward year-long Bible-reading plans:
  8. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/0\/05\/2416417-16.jpg\/v4-460px-2416417-16.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/05\/2416417-16.jpg\/v4-728px-2416417-16.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>Image by: Uploader<br>\nLicense: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    If you are reading for purposes of devotion, include your reading in your daily faith routine. [6] Praying as you read helps to nurture and expand upon your spiritual experience as you dive into the Bible. You might: [7]
    • Pray for God to reveal things to you in His Word
    • Ask for mercy as you cope with the daily struggles of sin
    • Ask to be reminded of God’s grace
    • Pray to be closer with God as you study the Bible.
  9. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/5b\/2416417-17.jpg\/v4-460px-2416417-17.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/5b\/2416417-17.jpg\/v4-728px-2416417-17.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>Image by: Uploader<br>\nLicense: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Reading the entire Bible in one year is a big challenge, especially if you aren’t used to reading the Bible each day. You might find that you don’t have the time or energy to stay on top of your daily readings—and that’s totally okay! Be prepared to be kind to yourself if you lose momentum and fall behind (or even if you take a break). What matters most is that you’re reading the Bible at your own pace, not the quantity of what you read.
    10. Advertisement

Bible Reading Schedule and Reflection Journal Template

Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    How many chapters would I have to read every day to read the Bible in a year?
    Community Answer
    There are close to 929 chapters in the Old Testament and 260 chapters in the New Testament. This would mean that you would need to read around 3 - 4 chapters per day to read the complete Christian Bible.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 3 Helpful 36
  • Question
    Is it okay if I can't study in a quiet place?
    Community Answer
    There are no rules about where you must study. As long as you can concentrate on what you're reading and absorb the material, it's absolutely fine.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 1 Helpful 15
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Video

      Tips

      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

      You Might Also Like

      What Does the Number 5 Mean in the Bible?
      Why Is the Number 3 Important in the Bible?
      How to
      Love Your Wife According to the Bible
      How to
      Look up a Bible Verse
      How to Feel the Holy Ghost’s Presence, According to the Bible
      How to
      Meditate on the Word of God
      How Much Time Does It Take to Read the Entire Bible?
      How Many Times Is Love in the Bible?
      How to
      Choose a Spouse According to the Bible
      How to
      Dispose of a Bible
      The Meaning of Number 777 in the Bible
      How to
      Learn the Books of the Bible
      How to
      Protect Yourself from Evil with the Bible
      How to
      Read the Bible
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://www.biblestudytools.com/bible-reading-plan/chronological.html
      2. ↑ https://www.biblestudytools.com/bible-reading-plan/one-year-immersion-plan.html
      3. ↑ https://www.biblesociety.org.uk/explore-the-bible/which-is-the-best-bible-translation/
      4. ↑ https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/read-the-bible-with-someone-else
      5. ↑ https://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-commentary.html
      6. ↑ Zachary Rainey. Ordained Minister. Expert Interview. 19 May 2019.
      7. ↑ https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/four-prayers-for-bible-reading

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To read the Bible in a year, set aside 20 to 30 minutes each day for reading. Alternatively, divide the number of pages in your issue of the Bible by 365, then read that number of pages each day. Alternatively, consider listening to an audio version of the Bible. If you find it challenging to read by yourself, consider joining a reading group to help you stay focused and boost your comprehension. For tips on how to read the Bible from start to finish, keep reading!

      Did this summary help you?
      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 246,045 times.

      Reader Success Stories

      • Anonymous

        Jul 29, 2016

        "I am reading the Bible through in one year, but sometimes read many chapters a day, while other days, none at all. ..." more
      More reader stories Hide reader stories
      Share your story
      If you buy through links on our site, we may earn a commission .

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement