Best Bible Reading Programs

Reading our Bible is something I know so many of you want to improve at.  There are so many Bible Reading Plans to help us be successful!  And there are also so many Bible Reading programs that trip us up.  It’s important to find a plan that fits your personality.  I know that I’m not detail oriented so I’m not going to enjoy a reading plan that has me parked the books of Numbers and Deuteronomy for a month straight.  But I’m also not going to be able to follow a plan that has me skipping around from the Old Testament to the New Testament to a Psalms or Proverb in a single sitting.  So I have gathered together some of my personal favorite Bible reading plans!  Here are my top 5 picks for Best Bible Reading Plans that I think you will enjoy!

I know it sounds crazy to read the entire Bible in just 3 months, but it’s not as hard as it sounds.  There are Bibles that are designed specifically for this reading program and it’s only 12 pages a day, but you can print off the free reading schedule and use any Bible!  Click Here to Download a pdf of the reading plan from Zondervan and Haven Ministries.  What I love about this Bible reading plan is that it’s a READING plan, not a study.  You’re reading so much so quickly that you can’t dig in deep, but you get an amazing bird’s eye view of the Bible as one complete story instead of a series of smaller stories.  When I was doing this I was struck by the thought that this is the way God sees us… we are part of one story.  I think every Christian should read the Bible this quickly at least once in their lifetime.

Oh, how I love the Bible Reading Program for Slackers and Shirkers!  Yes, the name appeals to me because there have been times that I felt like a slacker and a shirker when it comes to my Bible Reading.  Despite it’s tongue-in-cheek name, this is actually a Bible Reading Plan based on a plan that was popular with the puritans.  What’s unique about this one is that it has more that 365 readings (so no guilt if you don’t finish it in a year!) and it’s undated.  This program has 7 smaller lists, one for each day of the week.  And each day gives you a longer, focused reading in one area of the Bible.  On Sunday it’s Poetry, on Monday it’s Old Testament History, etc.  Each day you just cross of the reading for that day.  If on Monday you miss your Bible reading, it’s not a problem. Just come back to it next Monday.  You are never behind!  It’s a unique approach that keeps you focused each day and yet moving through the Bible at a comfortable pace.

This particular Bible Reading Program is not available online because it’s part of a copyrighted book, but it’s WONDERFUL.  In his book How To Study The Bible For Yourself Tim Lahaye suggests a 3 year Bible Reading plan that is unlike any I have ever seen.  His goal is not to just check Bible Reading off your daily to-do list or your life bucket list.  Tim Lahaye really wants to get the Word of God into you.  This particular reading plan begins by reading 1 John 7 times in a row.  By the time you’ve read it that many times you really have gleaned a lot from the passage. He then leads you into other parts of the Bible.  After 3 years you’re thoroughly acquainted with the entire Bible and have read several parts multiple times.

Did you know that the Bible is presented in the order that the events actually happened?  I had no idea until I did a Chronological Bible Reading plan.  For example, even though the book of Job is not at the beginning of the Bible, if you read the Bible using a chronological plan, you read half of Genesis, then you read the book of Job, then you return to Genesis and keep reading.  It’s fascinating to realize that the events in the book of Job happened before Israel was a nation!  Reading this way helps you to create a timeline.  If you would like to read through Bible in the order that the events actually happened, click here to be taken to a Chronological Bible Reading Plan by Joni and Friends.

Many years ago I had Student Bible that, on the first few pages, had several 14 day Bible Reading Plans.  I ended up giving that Bible away, but I loved those mini reading plans!  They are short term commitments to study a particular topic.  I suppose they’re designed for a new Christian, but to this day, I still love them!  Click here to be taken to the 2 Week Bible Reading Plans