Should You Read the Bible in A Year?
When I first began to take reading the Bible seriously, I was worried about consistency. Would I continue for a few weeks and then stop altogether? Would I actually grow in my understanding of Scripture or would I continue to remain confused about key parts of the Bible? Many people ask these same questions today. It’s no secret that one of the best ways to grow in our understanding of the Bible is by reading it consistently.
At the beginning of each new year, we often consider how we can become more consistent in our study of the Bible. We think about what plans, programs, or techniques can help.
As such, Bible in a Year programs have become very popular over the years. It’s much easier to stay on track with Bible study when you have a plan laid out for the entire year. Bible in a Year plans also help take away some of the mental fatigue that comes with trying to figure out what to read in the Bible while also learning the Bible.
If you’re deciding whether to use Bible in a Year plan this year, this article will cover some of the benefits and drawbacks of reading through the entire Bible in a year, offer advice for how to read through the Bible in a year, and share suggestions for remaining consistent in Bible study whether or not you choose a Bible in a Year plan.
What is a Bible in a Year Plan?
A Bible in a Year plan is a resource that takes you through the entire Bible in a year. A set of readings from Scripture is assigned for each day of the year. Some plans have both Old Testament and New Testament readings each day, some take a canonical approach and walk you through each passage in the order they are found in the Bible, and others take a chronological approach and group readings based on how events might have unfolded historically.
Many Bible in a Year plans come with questions, notes, and commentary so that while covering a lot of ground in the Scriptures, readers also gain insight and wisdom into what the passages mean.
The Bible Recap is a popular Bible in a Year program. Tara-Leigh Cobble offers a podcast, an app on YouVersion, a commentary, and reflective question guides. In 2025, I helped facilitate a women’s Sunday School class reading through Scripture in a year with The Bible Recap.
Related: How to Study the Bible for Beginners
What are the benefits of reading the Bible in a year?
The greatest benefit of reading through the Bible in a year is consistency. As I shared in the introduction, it’s a lot easier to make a practice of something when you have a set plan in place. Knowing that everything you’ll be reading in the Bible throughout the entire year takes a lot of the guesswork out of things. Since many Bible in a Year plans are done in groups, the camaraderie from other Christians reading together helps with consistency as well.
Next, reading through the Bible in a year helps with seeing the big picture of the Bible. When we read from Genesis to Revelation, we get to see the beauty of God’s plan unfold before our eyes. It’s the difference between driving through the mountains and being in an airplane getting to see the entire mountain range. Both views are stunning but very few people actually get to see the big picture.
🌿 Ever feel like you’re missing something when you read Scripture? Our Bible Study Guide helps you study and interpret the Bible with confidence, so you can draw closer to God and grow in a more personal relationship with him.
Following from this, reading the Bible in a year helps with overall comprehension and Biblical literacy. Very few Christians regularly read the Bible and those that do are often reading the same familiar texts instead of branching out into unknown territory. Our understanding of the Bible is severely limited when we only read the same passages over and over again.
Lastly, reading the Bible in a year builds confidence. Reading the Bible can feel daunting. There’s a lot of ground to cover and the cultural context of the Bible isn’t super familiar to us. Before you know it, you’ve read an entire book of the Bible, then multiple books, and soon you’re at the “finish line” and you’ve read the entire thing. Making progress brings confidence and confidence leads to more progress.
What are the drawbacks of reading the Bible in a Year?
While reading the Bible in a year can be beneficial, it’s not for everyone and there are some drawbacks. First, it’s possible to end up reading just to check the day’s passage off a list. Reading in this way can hinder growth and comprehension.
Next, since these programs only last a year, depth is limited. Going deeper and keeping up with readings can be time consuming each day. If you’re not already somewhat familiar with the themes of Scripture, the lack of depth can lead to confusion. Deep comprehension of the Bible takes time and likely won’t happen in a year. Thankfully, to keep readers on track and to minimize some of the confusion, plans like The Bible Recap offer overviews explaining highlights from each day’s reading.
Third, plans like these can come with performance anxiety for some people. For goal-oriented people, the pressure to finish in a year and perfectly read every passage can take away from the benefit of meeting God each day through the Bible and growing in one’s understanding of Scripture.
Lastly, if you’re new to the Bible, these plans can feel overwhelming. There’s a level of understanding one may need before starting a Bible in a Year plan to also get the most out of them. The feelings of overwhelm lead many people to quit in the middle and walk away discouraged about reading the Bible. The good news is that whether you finish the entire plan and read every passage or you stop in the middle, you’ve made progress in this lifelong journey of getting to know God through the Scriptures. Quitting a Bible reading plan isn’t “failure” because the goal isn’t perfection.
Related: Where to Start Reading in the Bible
How to Successfully Read the Bible in a Year
If you’re planning on reading the Bible in a year, here’s how to set yourself up for success.
- Join a group for accountability, support, and friendship. It’s best to read Scripture communally since it fosters greater growth and deeper understanding. As the proverb says, “We go faster alone but go further together.”
- Use a program, book, or resource designed to help you grow in comprehension rather than just reading. I used The Bible Recap this year, but there are also books like The Bible in 52 Weeks, A Beautiful Year in the Bible, and, most recently, Dr. Nijay Gupta’s Stranger Theology Substack. Choose a program with a goal or theological leaning that makes the most sense for you.
- Print out a checklist so that you know what passages you’re reading each day.
- This is very important. Don’t worry about perfection. If you miss a day or multiple days, just pick up where you left off.
- Choose the format that works best for you. There’s countless audio Bibles, Bible apps, and physical Bibles available. Personally, I use a combination of all three. Most days I read with a physical NRSVUE Bible, an NIV Bible in YouVersion, and YouVersion’s audio Bible.
Staying Consistent in Bible Reading Without a Bible in a Year Plan
While Bible in a Year plans are popular, they’re certainly not the only way to read the Bible consistently. Whether you’re using a Bible in a Year plan or not this year, consider these tips for staying consistent:
- Plan. I recommend planning on a monthly, quarterly, or bi-annual basis. This way, you’re not wondering what to read in the Bible each day. The great thing about having a plan is that the plan can always be adjusted.
- Read in community. Read with other Christians or have an accountability group that you can ask questions or share your thoughts and insights with. As I mentioned earlier, we go much further together than we do alone.
- Have go-to tools or resources to help you when you get confused or feel stuck. If you sign up for our email list, you get access to new articles about the Bible and faith monthly as well as other tips and resources to help you in your journey.
I’ve written three helpful Bible Studies that you can use on a monthly or quarterly basis. The Habakkuk and Ephesians studies cover 4 weeks while the 12 Week Jesus Bible Study lasts for an entire quarter.
The Ephesians and Habakkuk studies go in depth and are great if you need an “on-the-ground” close-up view of Scripture, while the 12 Week Jesus Bible Study is more reflective and is great for anyone starting out or navigating a busy season.
Regardless of how you choose to approach Bible study this year, the key is to choose a plan or method and show up consistently so that you can learn and grow closer to the Lord.
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