Regardless of whether you do it for devotion, culture or personal reasons, one year is a reasonable time to read the Bible. Before you begin, take some time to consider how you would like to accomplish this task. For example, you can read it alone or in a group; you can read one translation or several; And you can even read it with or without comments or context. Follow your own pace and keep track of your progress.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Choose your reading method
Step 1. Measure the time it takes to read
To read a long text without losing focus, try to read it at a regular time every day. Depending on your reading speed and attention span, you can read from twenty minutes to an hour. If there is a quiet moment during the day, take advantage of it to read.
- Have a calendar and keep track of your progress. Check a box each day you read the Bible.
- If you have an average reading speed and read about ten minutes a day for a year, you will end up with time to spare. If you want to rest a few days and spend extra time on some dense passages, read at least twenty minutes a day.
Step 2. Count the pages
Take the number of pages in your Bible and divide it by 365. Then, read daily the number of pages you got as a result. For example, if your edition of your Bible has 1760 pages, you should read 4.8 pages a day. Round that number and read 5 pages a day. Review your progress each month to make sure you've met the monthly quota.
If dividing your reading into days doesn't work for you because your schedule often changes, try to set weekly or monthly reading goals
Step 3. Read along with other people
This may make it easier for you to meet your reading goals and improve your comprehension. Join an existing reading group or form your own. If you attend a church, interfaith organization, or a secular organization such as an anarchist free school, propose a reading group and determine the pace, order, and meeting time that is suitable for everyone. Members can read together in a room or read separately and have monthly meetings.
- You can also ask a friend or family member to read along with you. Even a long-distance friend can be a good reading companion. Set goals together and have a weekly discussion whether online, in person, or over the phone.
- Take a class. Search online or at a local institution like college, church, or school to find classes geared toward studying the Bible. Taking a course that makes you read the entire Bible will motivate you to read while providing valuable historical context.
Step 4. Read in a way that keeps you focused
Internalizing a text is very different from doing a quick read. Choose to read in a way that allows you to absorb the words in front of you. Also, keep in mind that doing it out loud can help you stay focused on reading. Rereading can also be helpful.
- If you usually wake up in a good mood in the morning, read at that time. On the contrary, if yours is the night, read at that moment.
- If you feel your mind wandering, try reading in sections. For example, read for twenty minutes, stand up and have a glass of water and then resume reading for another twenty minutes.
Step 5. Listen to an audio of the Bible
If you have trouble understanding your reading or if you would simply prefer to listen to the Bible while doing your daily chores or exercises, download a recording of someone reading it. If you search the Internet, you might even find audiobooks designed to be listened to for a whole year.
Even if you are already reading the Bible, consider listening to it as well. For example, if you are reading a translation, you could choose to listen to a different version
Step 6. Sign up for a virtual service that sends you Bible readings
You can sign up for a service that emails you daily readings. If you have a hard time picking up a book on a regular basis, but prefer to read emails, you can motivate yourself by marking your reading by mail daily.
Step 7. Read with a sentence
If you read the Bible out of devotion, include its reading in your daily faith routine. Pray before or after reading. Also, read on purpose, as if you were praying. You can also request guidance in your reading. Read with a question in mind or go blind and allow your mind to absorb the knowledge of the words.
Method 2 of 3: Determine a Reading Order
Step 1. Read the Bible cover to cover
Consider the Bible as a novel and read it from Genesis to Revelation. This choice may be appropriate if you believe in the "canonical order", which was established by God. It can also be if you find it cumbersome to look up the verses and chapters. In that case, ignore the numbers and start reading from the first page.
If you want, you can even buy versions of the Bible that do not contain verse numbers
Step 2. Read in chronological order
You can read the Bible in the order in which the events occurred. Look online for reading plans that describe the order of events in the Bible. If you read in chronological order, you will need to break down the different books. For example, you should turn to the book of Job when you are in the middle of Genesis, since Job lived during the time of the events described in Genesis.
Step 3. Read in historical order
Read the books of the Bible in the order in which they are believed to have been written. If you want to keep track of the ways in which different Bible authors responded to and corrected each other's ideas, a good option is to read in historical order. Look online for lists of estimated dates.
Method 3 of 3: Read the Bible Cover to Cover
Step 1. Start reading every day starting in January
One way to read the Bible is to read it daily from January. If you prefer to start in another month, modify your schedule based on it.
Step 2. Read Genesis and Exodus in January
These books belong to the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Bible) and are known as the books of the law because they provide the laws and instructions for the people of Israel.
- Read three chapters a day. With this rhythm, you will be able to finish Genesis on January 17 and Exodus on January 31.
- If you'd like to use this itinerary, but don't plan to start in January, tailor it to your monthly plan accordingly.
Step 3. In February, read all of Leviticus and Numbers, and begin Deuteronomy
This month, the readings focus on the law books. Keep reading an average of three chapters a day. However, keep in mind that the length of each chapter varies.
- Read four chapters on February 1, two daily from the 2nd to the 4th, two from the 5th, three from the 6th to the 7th, two from the 8th to the 13th, and one from the 14th.
- Read three chapters a day on the 15th and 16th, two daily on the 17th and 18th, three on the 19th, two on the 20th, three on the 21st, two on the 22nd, three on the 23rd, and two daily from the 24th to the 28.
- With this reading plan, you will be able to finish reading Leviticus on February 10 and Numbers on the 26th. By the last day of February, you will have read Deuteronomy 4 (the fourth chapter of this book).
Step 4. In March, finish reading Deuteronomy, and continue with Joshua, Judges, Ruth, and a part of I Samuel
The book of Deuteronomy will be the last of the books of the law. The others you read this month are considered historical books, which share the history of God's people in the Old Testament.
- It begins with chapter 5 of Deuteronomy. Read three chapters a day from March 1 to March 4. Then read four chapters on the 5th, three on the 6th, four on the 7th, two daily on the 8th and 9th, and three on the 10th.
- Read four chapters daily on the 11th and 12th, three on the 13th and four on the 14th, three daily from the 15th to the 17th, two on the 18th, three on the 19th, two daily on the 20th and 21st.
- Read three chapters a day from the 22nd to the 25th, four on the 26th, three on the 27th, five on the 28th, four on the 29th, two on the 30th, and three on the 31st.
- If you follow this plan, you will finish reading Deuteronomy on March 10, Joshua on March 17, Judges on March 25, and Ruth on March 26. You will also finish the first 17 chapters of I Samuel, which is more than half of this book.
Step 5. In April, read the remainder of I Samuel, II Samuel, I Kings, and II Kings
These books are considered historical in the Old Testament.
- Read three chapters on April 1, beginning with I Samuel 18. Read four chapters on April 2, three on April 3, four on day 4, three on day 5, four on day 6, five on day 7, and three daily from the 8th to the 11th.
- Read two chapters on April 12; three on the 13th, two daily from the 14th to the 16th, three daily from the 17th to the 19th, and two on the 20th.
- Read three chapters on April 21, two on the 22nd, three daily from the 23rd to the 26th, two on the 27th, three daily on the 28th and 29th, and two on the 30th.
- If you follow this itinerary, you will finish reading I Samuel on April 4, II Samuel on the 11th, I Kings on the 20th, and II Kings on the 29th. On the last day of the month, start reading I Chronicles.
Step 6. Read I Chronicles, II Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah and Esther in the month of May
These are the last historical books of the Old Testament.
- Start reading the third chapter of I Chronicles. Read three chapters on May 1, one on the 2nd, two on the 3rd, three daily from the 4th to the 6th, four on the 7th, and three daily from the 8th to the 10th.
- Read four chapters on May 11, three on the 12th, four on the 13th, five on the 14th, three on the 15th, four on the 16th, three on the 17th, four on the 18th, three on the 19th, and two on the 20th.
- Read three chapters on May 21, four on the 22nd, three daily from the 23rd to the 25th, one on the 26th, two daily from the 27th to the 29th, and five daily from the 30th and 31st.
- With this reading plan, you will be able to finish I Chronicles on May 10, II Chronicles on the 20th, Ezra on the 23rd, Nehemiah on the 29th and Esther on the 31st.
Step 7. Read Job and a portion of Psalms in June
These are classified as poetic books of the Old Testament.
- Begin by reading Chapter 1 of Job. Read four chapters on June 1, three daily from day 2 to 5, four on day 6, three on day 7, five on day 8, and three daily from 9 to 11.
- Read two chapters on June 12, three on the 13th, eight daily on the 14th and 15th, four on the 16th, five on the 17th, 6 on the 18th, and four daily on the 19th and 20th.
- Read six chapters on June 21, five on the 22nd, seven on the 23rd, eight on the 24th, four daily from the 25th to the 27th, two on the 28th, six on the 29th, and four on the 30th.
- With this reading plan, you will be able to finish the book of Job on June 13 and advance more than half the book of Psalms.
Step 8. Read Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs, and a portion of Isaiah in July
These are considered the poetic books of the Old Testament.
- Begin by reading Psalm 90. Read six chapters on July 1, seven on July 2, three on day 3, two on day 4, seven on day 5, four on day 6, one divided between days 7 and 8 (this is Psalm 119, which is quite long), thirteen on the 9th, and seven on the 10th.
- Read six chapters on July 11, five on the 12th, three daily from the 13th to the 19th, and two on the 20th.
- Read three chapters daily on the 21st and 22nd, two on the 23rd, four daily from the 24th to the 26th, eight on the 27th, and four daily from the 28th to the 31st.
- With this reading plan, you will finish reading Psalms on July 12, Proverbs on the 23rd, Ecclesiastes on the 26th, and Song of Songs on the 27th. On the last four days of the month, you should read the first 17 chapters of Isaiah.
Step 9. In August, read what remains of Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Lamentations
These books are classified as the Major Prophets, and share the stories and warnings of the prophets of Israel.
- Start by reading Isaiah 18. Read five chapters a day on August 1 and 2, three on August 3, five on day 4, six on day 5, three on day 6, and five daily from day 7 to 10.
- Read three chapters daily from August 11 to 14, four daily on August 15 and 16, five on the 17th, three on the 18th, four on the 19th, and two on the 20th.
- Read three daily chapters on August 21 and 22, four daily on 23 and 24, three on 25, two daily on 26 and 27, three on 28, two on 29, and four daily on 30 and 31.
- With this reading plan, you will finish reading Isaiah on August 11, Jeremiah on August 27, and Lamentations on the 29th. On the last two days of the month, you should start reading the book of Ezekiel.
Step 10. In September, read Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, and Zechariah
The books of Ezekiel and Daniel are considered writings of the Major Prophets, while the rest of those mentioned are classified as writings of the Minor Prophets. This month's reading plan may seem like a lot, but many of the books mentioned are short, only having a few chapters.
- Begin by reading chapter 9 of the book of Ezekiel. Read four chapters on September 1, three on day 2, two on day 3, three on day 4, two daily on days 5 and 6, and three daily from day 7 to 18.
- Read seven chapters between September 19 and 20, three on the 21st, five on the 22nd, four on the 23rd, five on the 24th, seven on the 25th, three on the 26th, six on the 27th, two on the day 28, and 7 daily on the 29th and 30th.
- With this reading plan, you will finish reading Ezekiel on September 14, Daniel on the 18th, Hosea on the 20th, Joel on the 21st, Amos on the 23rd, Obadiah and Jonah on the 24th, Micah on the 25th, Nahum on the day 26, Habakkuk and Zephaniah on the 27th, Haggai on the 28th, and Zechariah on the 30th.
Step 11. In October, read Malachi, Matthew, Mark, and most of the book of Luke
Malachi is the last book of the Old Testament, so if you stick with the reading plan for this month, you will complete it and begin with the New Testament. You will also begin to read the chapters known as the Gospels in the New Testament.
- Begin by reading Malachi 1. Read four chapters daily on October 1 and 2, two daily from day 3 to 7, three chapters on day 8, two daily from day 9 to 12, one on day 13, two on day 14, and three on the 15th.
- Read two chapters a day from October 16 to 20, one on October 21, two on the 22nd, one on the 23rd, two daily from the 24th to the 29th, three on the 30th, and two on the 31st.
- If you follow this reading plan, you will finish reading Malachi 1 on October 1, Matthew on the 14th, and Mark on the 22nd.
Step 12. In November, read the last part of the book of Luke, John, Acts and Romans, and it begins with I Corinthians
This month, you will finish reading the gospels and learn about New Testament history through the fact book. You will also start with the epistles, which are letters written to specific communities.
- Begin by reading Luke 19. Read two chapters daily from November 1 to 9, and three daily from November 10 to 15.
- Read two chapters on November 16, three on the 17th, two daily on the 18th and 19th, three daily from the 20th to the 4th, four on the 25th, three daily from the 26th to the 28th, and four daily on the 29th. and 30.
- With this reading plan, you will finish reading Luke on November 3, John on the 12th, Acts on the 23rd, and Romans on the 28th.
Step 13. Finish reading the Bible in December
In this month, the books you should read are I Corinthians, II Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, I Thessalonians, II Thessalonians, I Timothy, II Timothy, Titus, Philemon, Hebrews, James, I Peter, II Peter, I John, II John, III John, Judas and Revelation. These books are cataloged as epistles, with the exception of Revelation which is usually considered a book of prophecies. This month's reading plan may seem long because of the number of books, but many of them are short and some contain only one chapter.
- It begins with I Corinthians 9. Read three chapters daily on December 1 and 2, two on the 3rd, four on the 4th, five on the 5th, 4 on the 6th, and three daily from the 7th to the 10th.
- Read four chapters on December 11, four on the 12th, five on the 13th, three on the 14th, six on the 15th, four daily on the 16th and 17th, six on the 18th, four on the 19th and three on the 20th.
- Read five chapters on December 21, five on the 22nd, three on the 23rd, five on the 24th, three on the 25th, three on the 26th, five on the 27th, four daily on the 28th and 29th, and three daily on the days 30 and 31.
- With this reading plan, you will finish reading I Corinthians on December 3, II Corinthians on the 6th, Galatians on the 8th, Ephesians on the 10th, Philippians on the 11th, Colossians on the 12th, I Thessalonians on the 13th, II Thessalonians on the 14th, I Timothy on the 15th, II Timothy on the 16th, Titus and Philemon on the 17th, Hebrews on the 20th, James on the 21st, I Peter on the 22nd, II Peter on the 23rd, I John on the 24th, II John, III John and Judas on the 25th, and Revelation on the 31st.
- Most importantly, you will have finished reading the entire Bible from cover to cover in just one year.