When I stepped into my faith in high school, I felt compelled to read the entire Bible in a year. It took me a year and a half, and I don’t remember getting anything out of it. Then in college, I kept my Bible at my bedside. I opened it on occasion, but neglected to stop and read it.
Maybe you can relate to one of those seasons, too. Where you find yourself reading the Bible out of a sense of obligation, or not reading it at all. Or maybe you started one of those “Bible in a year” plans with good intentions and got lost in Leviticus.
Since then, I’ve read the whole Bible multiple times in 90 days or less, while maintaining my usual commitments, to know God and His Word better. Friend, I humbly mention this because reading the entire Bible is possible and it can be practical no matter your schedule. I understand the resistance that comes with such a task, and it is worth persevering. The enemy wants to keep us uninformed, but God has called us to seek Him and His Word for wisdom.
Reading the Bible doesn’t have to feel dull. It can be incredibly life-giving and awe-inspiring, and only leave us wanting more of Jesus. Hebrews 4:12 tells us that God’s Word is living and active. This means that Scripture has the power to change, to convict, and give us hope.
Here are 10 tips to encourage you to read the entire Bible in (insert number here) days:
1. Pace yourself
If your plan sticks to a specific number of days, you may be reading at least 5 chapters or more per day. To stay on track, you can split up your reading throughout the day when you’re available. For me, this often looks like reading a couple chapters in the morning, continuing at lunch, after work to unwind, and before bed. Sometimes it means stopping to meditate on the passage I read, or praying a promise that stuck out to me. Do what works for you – it doesn’t have to be in one sitting.
2. Give yourself grace
It’s so easy to become discouraged when you miss a few days on your plan. In both of my recent read-throughs, I’ve fallen behind up to 10 days. It may not be a perfect, linear progression for you, either. And that’s okay.
As you read Scripture, your heart posture matters most. Consider your goal: Is it blazing through a timeline, or soaking in God’s Word to know Him better?
Sure, we can get prideful of saying how we did on our plans, or even just to say we read the whole Bible. But what’s even better is the profound perspectives we gain as we see the stories of redemption and grace, and the heart of God from the very beginning of creation.
And maybe, from that overflow, we can give ourselves grace to not finish it all by a deadline.
3. Pray as you go
If your reading routines feel dry, be sure to invite God into them. The Holy Spirit is our Helper (John 14:26).
Maybe you need to pray for wisdom. Ask Him to help you understand what you’re reading.
Maybe you need to pray for God to help you stay engaged with the text, so it doesn’t feel mundane. Ask God to illuminate His Word for you.
Maybe you struggle to maintain a regular reading plan. Ask God to give you the desire and motivation to get – and stay – in His Word daily.
4. Make it accessible
Keep your Bible in plain sight, where it’s easy to get to during your day. This may mean bringing your Bible in your work bag, keeping the Bible app front and center on your phone’s home screen, and using websites like BibleGateway to read on your laptop.
Sometimes when we resist God’s Word the most, we also need it the most. Pray about why you’re distancing yourself from Scripture, and don’t give up. The hardest part may be opening your Bible, and once you get reading, you’ll find God had a specific word to encourage you. Keeping your Bible close and easy to access will help!
5. Make space for the deeper study
While it’s not a bad thing to only complete whole Bible plans in your study time, it’s even more effective when you look at each book and story in more detail. It will make the more challenging books easier to comprehend, since you’ll dedicate time to focus on learning about the context and culture.
6. Have accountability
Let a few trusted friends in on your plan, so they can cheer you on as you go. Let them be your go-to people when you need support in a struggle and to celebrate with when you’re proud of a win.
7. Don’t read from a place of “I have to”
There is nothing in Scripture about having to read the whole Bible in a certain amount of time. If we obsess over the timelines or read because we feel we have to, we operate from a religious mindset. That’s when reading our Bibles feels like a chore we have to do, not something we want to do…or even a privilege we get to do.
No, not all days will be joy-filled. Some days we will put in extra effort. But when our motive is to know our Maker, we read from a place of love. We don’t have to earn God’s approval with a particular plan. We don’t have to earn His grace or do things because they make us seem like a good person. We desire to get into Scripture because we desire more of God.
8. Don’t force yourself to meet a standard if you can’t
Different seasons – even different days – call for different capacities. It doesn’t matter if you finish by a certain day, keep up with a friend, or read a specific amount of chapters at a time. The important thing is to stay consistent and keep reading!
9. Don’t put limits on your methods – get creative!
Try switching up your reading methods. If you’re using a published paper copy of the Bible, listen to an audio version of the Bible (such as on the YouVersion app), or read from a digital copy. Maybe consider printing out passages or varying the translations you use from formal to functional wording. This can be especially helpful if you’re having a hard time understanding the text.
Word-for-word translations are best for sticking true to the original language. Some of them can be more formal in their wording, as they are a more direct translation. Thought-for-thought translations translate based on a whole thought, not each individual word. Paraphrases are a retelling, more of an expression, of God’s Word. There is no wrong answer as to which version to choose, as long as you’re seeking God. Depending on where you’re at in your walk, or what purpose you’re reading, each Bible version has its place.
If you’re looking for a Bible to get started with, I’d recommend the ESV Study Bible. Study Bibles often come with commentaries to explain the text in its appropriate context, and will help you navigate Scripture well.
10. Don’t give up!
You may need a break once in a while, but don’t let it stay that way. The daily discipline of Scripture reading is incredibly valuable to our walk with the Lord. He doesn’t expect us to complete a plan perfectly, so why do we put this pressure on ourselves? Most often, I find the days I need to rest are valuable. And sometimes, God will have me wait because the message I will be reading directly aligns with a circumstance I’m facing.
Friend, God doesn’t expect perfection from us. He simply wants our hearts.
If you’re stuck or confused with a passage, be patient and take delight in the process. We won’t know or understand everything. It may not make sense yet. But we can choose to do our best. Not because we have to, but because being with God and knowing Him are the greatest gifts we will ever have.
What strategies have helped you stay persistent with reading the Bible? Share in the comments below!
Consider the Joy 
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