Start the Bible in a year and finish it. Seven practical tips for staying on track, catching up and enjoying God's Word every day.
Every January, thousands of us start reading the Bible in a year. By Leviticus, many of us have quietly stopped. If that has been you, you are not alone, and you are not a failure. You just need a plan that fits real life.
"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path" (Psalm 119:105).
1. Remember why you're reading
The goal is not to tick boxes. It is to know God. Write down your reason on the first page of your journal and read it when you feel behind.
2. Pick a plan you can see
A plan that shows the whole year at a glance makes progress visible. Tick off each day's reading, and you will see how far you've come, not just how far you have to go.
3. Same time, every day
Attach your reading to an existing habit: your morning coffee, your lunch break, or the 15 minutes before bed. Most daily readings take 12 to 15 minutes.
4. Listen when you can't sit
On busy days, listen to the day's reading on an audio Bible while you drive or cook. It still counts.
5. Don't try to "catch up" all at once
If you fall behind, skip ahead to today's date and keep going. Read the missed days on a quiet weekend, or not at all. The plan is there to serve you.
6. Write one thing down
After each reading, write one verse or one thought. Over a year, those small notes become a record of what God taught you.
7. Celebrate the milestones
Colour in each book of the Bible as you finish it. Watching a bookshelf of 66 books fill up is a joyful way to see your progress.
When Leviticus and Numbers get hard
Read them slowly and look for Jesus. The sacrifices, the tabernacle and the priesthood all point to Him. Hebrews 9 and 10 are a wonderful companion.
Start your year in the Word
Our printable Bible Reading Journal has the whole Bible in a Year plan on 2 pages, a colour-in Bible Bookshelf, chapter-by-chapter trackers, a reading log and S.O.A.P. study pages. Prefer to track every chapter at your own pace? Try the Chapter by Chapter Bible Tracker.