Bible reading plans are schedules which have been prepared to make reading the Bible on a daily basis convienent. Those plans tend to have daily or weekly readings that are manageable, and allow believers to continue working their way through bits and pieces of, or the entirety of the Bible, in a systematic pattern. the “chunking” of the Bible into small readings Some task readers with small readings help encourage us to read regularly in a way that promotes spiritual growth over the course of months and years.
This post will consider some of the major Bible reading plans/systems including chronological, canonical, thematic, historical, genre, and one-year plans. We’ll break down what each plan entails, compare the structure and reading demands of each, and give examples. We also talk about the new Fit2B Parents Path, the process of selecting the right plan for you and how using a plan forms a structure of consistency and spiritual maturation. There’s a quick explanation of some other ways to study your Bible and then there’s a bonus Q&A with answers to popular Bible reading questions that arise.
So there are different types of Bible reading plans, and what’s the difference between them?
Book-Order Plans (Canonical): These go through the Bible in the order people believe it was written — i.e. Genesis to Revelation. A canonical plan is one that when read through, the entire Bible has been read from beginning to end in the order of its books in the Bible. That probably is the most obvious one – the reader would need to mute the books one by one. One such canonical plan for a year is to read one’s way through the Bible in 365 days with each day including two readings, one from the Old Testament and one from the New Testament.
Chronological (Timeline) Plans: Chronological plans reorder passages as they occur in history. Rather than reading Psalms or prophets in an order other than the order of events, chronological sequences where the events took place are assigned to Psalms or prophets, so that Psalms written by David are done during the “David” discussion, etc.) This method helps to keep in front of readers the narrative direction in which the Bible is flowing and the historical context in which it is set. (The term “historical plan” can be used in a similar way, with an emphasis on cultural or period context.)
Topical (Thematic) Plans: These plans connect the Bible by theme. For example, a thematic plan might pull together passages on prayer, wisdom, or God’s promises from various parts of the Bible. The idea is to link related passages while also reading books as a whole. An example is the Craig DesJardins Thematic Plan which assigns portions of the Psalms for the whole year in order to show the unity of Scripture.
Genre-Based Plans: These organize readings based on literary genre or section of the Bible. For example, a genre plan could organize readings under headings like Law (Pentateuch), History, Wisdom/Poetry, Prophets, Gospels, Epistles, and so on. It allows readers to focus on one genre at a time or give each genre its own days, allowing for comparison across styles and content. (For example, to read all the prophetic books in one go or to dedicate days to the Wisdom Literature.)
One-Year Plans: Any of the plans that read through the entire Bible in 12 months are considered one-year plans. This also typically combines with other types of plans (e.g. canonical plans and gain a year chronologically)/ The average per day reading of the entire Bible in a year would be to read 3-4 chapters per day. Some popular one-year plans, such as M’Cheyne’s, have more than one reading per day (see below) and maintain consistent daily progress.
How do Bible reading programs work and what are their formats?
Structure of Daily Reading: Many plans go through those specific passages on a day-by-day basis. Some are straightforward (one chapter or two from a book each day), while others mix up various sections. For example, in the plan authored by Robert M’Cheyne we have four different daily readings: two from the Old Testament, and two from the New Testament. Likewise, the ESV Study Bible plan has you read four brief selections a day—from Psalms/Wisdom, Pentateuch/History, Prophets, and Gospels/Epistles. These forms alternate Old and New Testament material to meet the need for variety and thematic balance.
Speed and Commitment: The length of plans and daily commitment fluctuates. A regular one-year plan takes you through the entire Bible with daily readings (about 3 chapters per day). Multi-year plans space the readings more widely (some two-year plans try to get away with just 10 minutes a day of reading). They are used to accomplish detailed goals (e.g. reading each gospel of the portion of inspiration or the wife offended poems). As you select a plan, take note of the number of verses or chapters you will need to read every day for it to make sense with your schedule.
How do I select a Bible reading plan that suits my goals?
The program you choose will be dependent on what you are looking to achieve, your experience level, and your schedule. Consider these factors:
- Scope and Length: So you want to read the whole Bible or just some of it? Some are general plans that include the entire Bible, with others focusing on particular books or themes. New Christians may wish to begin with a general overview (e.g. 90 days) and experienced readers may choose to read the chapters regularly in a large semi-structured plan like a year.
- Content and Style: If you’re longing for historical context, choose a chronological schedule. To achieve a balanced, varied diet through the day, select plans such as M’Cheyne’s or genre-based programs. If you like exploring themes, a thematic plan may help you link passages with commonalities. ACK! Choose if you like reading entire books one after another, or if you prefer book variety and hopping around.
- Format and Tools: Most plans can be found as printed charts, online calendars, or mobile app programs. Opt for a format that allows ease of maintenance (such as an app with reminders, a simple bookmark chart or a journal). The Ligonier Ministries site adds there are more than 20 popular reading plans (including charts and PDFs), so experiment with various formats and see what helps you stick with it.
- Flexibility: Life changes. Having the freedom to take a day or two off (most plans allow this, and depending on which variant you’re on, that might even include weekends or a set “break” day off) removes much of the scheduling pressure. You can combine plans — say reading through chronologically the one year and taking a thematic or devotional approach the next year. The trick is to find a plan that lets you read regularly without becoming oppressive.
How can Bible reading plans help you to regularly study and grow spiritually?
- Develops Discipline and Routine: Through scheduling regular passages, a plan develops a “scripture schedule,” something that forms into a habit. Regularity is very important: a little every day keeps the scripture in mind and encourages spiritual discipline.
- Balanced Exposure: Plans keep you from just picking the favorite verses. For instance, reading through a structured plan forces you read from less familiar parts of the Bible and thus receive a more comprehensive view of what the Bible says.
- Deepens Understanding: The interconnected aspects often surface in structured lessons. Another way to read the Bible is to read it chronologically so that you can how Old Testament prophecies come true in the New Testament. Genre-based plans provide a place for showing how wisdom literature or prophecy belong to the biblical story. These observations contribute to an understanding of God’s story as it unfolds.
- Spiritual Fruit Over Time: Spending time with God’s Word on a consistent basis leads to spiritual growth. The command given in Colossians 3:16, to “let the word of Christ dwell in you richly,” is accomplished by regular reading. “The things that I’ve heard back from are people having a more blessed, more joyful, more guided life through the study of God’s word on a daily basis.”
What are other methods of Bible study that pair well with reading plans?
Outside of reading plans, Christians engage in a variety of study methods. These may include topical/devotional studies (around a specific theme or daily devotions), book exegesis (with an emphasis on studying one book in depth), verse mapping/journaling, or group Bible studies/classes. Study Bibles, commentaries and word-study guides can help unpack the text. Some are concerned with memorizing verses or keeping pace with the church’s liturgical readings. These methods can enhance reading plans by helping you study, discuss, or reflect more deeply on what you read.
What is a Chronological Bible Reading Plan?
A chronological approach puts the Scripture selections in the order events actually took place. For instance, it positions the Psalms and prophets at the time in history when they were composed. This helps them understand biblical events in order and in their political context. In short, chronological plans follow the timeline of the Bible rather than its order in the canon.
What does a one-year Bible reading plan consist of?
One-Year Bible Reading Plan A one-year Bible reading plan is any reading schedule that can get you through the entire Bible in the course of a year. It generally breaks the 66 books down into 365 daily readings. The Bible contains around 1189 chapters in total so, reading 3–4 chapters a day can complete the whole Bible in a year. Many one-year programmes alternate between Old and New Testament passages each day, while others read straight through the books.
Who was Robert Murray M’Cheyne and what is M’Cheyne’s Bible Reading Plan?
Robert Murray M’Cheyne An intensely devotional 19th century Scottish minister. He was the originator of the “M’Cheyne Bible Reading Plan,” which covers four portions of Scripture a day, two for private and two for family worship. His schedule takes him through the New Testament and Psalms twice a year and the rest of the Bible once a year. This schedule has stood the test of time because it gives the readings a balanced mixture.
How many chapters of the Bible do I need to read each day for a year to finish the Bible?
For read through the Bible in a year, you should read 3 chapters of the Bible per day. This is because the Bible has approximately 1189 chapters (Old + New Testament). A few days will have less or more than that, but most one-year plans are created around the concept of daily readings of around 15–20 minutes.
What is a daily scripture schedule for it?
A daily Bible reading plan is merely the predetermined assignment of reading to be done each day in the Bible. It is the nature of a reading plan: the “schedule” for each day is a list of verses to read. A reading plan may, for instance, recommend Genesis 1-2 and Matthew 1 for Day 1 and so forth. A daily plan helps you to stay on target and you read on a consistent basis over periods of time (very often with a goal like, “read the Bible one day at a time”).
