If you are looking for a “Read the Bible in 365 days reading plan,” look no further. This article includes a year-long Bible reading plan to help you keep track of your progress as you read through the entire Bible. Bible reading is essential to your spiritual growth, and many people make it a goal to read through the entire Bible in one year.
Read the Bible in 365 Days Reading Plan — Chronological Plan
There is no right or wrong way to read the Bible. The only wrong thing about Bible reading is not doing it. There are several popular Bible reading plans to guide a person to read the Bible through in a year and in chronological order. The chronological Bible reading plans have daily Scripture readings based on either the timing of the events of the Bible or the order that the books of the Bible were written.
Chronological reading plans can differ according to various Bible scholars. When reading through the Bible using a chronological reading plan, you will read passages out of the order in which they appear in the Bible. Using a chronological reading plan can be a bit more confusing than reading the Bible straight through.
Read the Bible in 365 Days Reading Plan — Daily Reading Year Plan
The year-long daily reading plan provided here will help you to read through all of the books of the Bible in an entire year, and you can start on any day of the month at any time. Each day’s reading plan has a suggested portion for reading a passage from the Old Testament, starting with Genesis, and a passage from the New Testament, starting with the Gospel of Matthew. After following this reading plan for 365 days, you will have completed reading the entire Bible.
Click the month to get the daily Bible reading plan for that month.
Read the Bible in 365 Days Reading Plan — E-reader or Physical Book?
With the popularity of e-readers and Bible reading apps, some people like to read the Bible in electronic format. This is a viable option based on your personal preference.
But for those who prefer to read a physical Bible, use two bookmarks (click the link to get some free printable bookmarks)— one to place at the end of the day’s reading for the Old Testament, and the other one to place at the end of the day’s reading for the New Testament.
No matter which format you choose for your daily reading, physical or electronic, it is helpful to print the month’s daily Scripture reading plan to keep track of your reading progress.
Read the Bible in 365 Days Reading Plan — Bible Overview
God gave His Word to men to write down through His Holy Spirit, according to 2 Peter 1:21: “For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” (KJV)
Here is a brief summary of what to expect when reading the Word of God.
The Bible is divided into two distinct sections: Old Testament and New Testament. It is further divided into a total of 66 separate books, although the Catholic Bible contains more books, called the “Apocrypha.” To understand why the Catholic Bible contains more books, click here.
The first five books of the Bible, Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy, are books attributed to Moses as the author and relate the history of the children of Israel. These five books contain laws for God’s people, specifically, the nation of Israel.
The books of Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 and 2 Samuel, 1 and 2 Kings, 1 and 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther, are books of history as it relates to the kings and people of the nation of Israel
The books of Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Solomon, are collectively called “wisdom literature.”
The books of Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, and Daniel, are books of prophecy specifically called “the major prophets,” because of the sheer volume of their prophetic writings.
The Old Testament ends with twelve, short, prophetic books collectively called “the minor prophets.” These books are Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi. They are not minor in what they have to say, only in length when compared to the major prophets.
The first four books of the New Testament are the Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.
The Book of Acts is a history of the early church.
Thirteen of the New Testament books are the Apostle Paul’s letters to both churches and individuals. These books are Romans, 1 and 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians Colossians,1 and 2 Thessalonians, 1 and 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon. Some scholars consider the Book of Hebrews to be written by the Apostle Paul, while others do not.
The next seven books after Hebrews are also letters, but these books are named after the author of each. They are James, 1 and 2 Peter, 1, 2, and 3 John, and Jude.
The last book of the Bible is Revelation.
Read the Bible in 365 Days Reading Plan — The Process
Reading a portion of the Bible daily is an excellent habit to cultivate. However, simply reading the Bible does not make for Bible study. However, this daily habit can be easily incorporated into Bible study. Make a certain time, and even a place, for your to have some uninterrupted moments.
Start your Bible reading with a short prayer, thanking God for His Word, and ask Him to give you something for you, personally, as you read from your Bible. As you read your daily Bible passage, read it carefully, and if you find something, a word, a verse, or a concept that is difficult to understand, write it down. Use either a notetaking app or the old-fashioned pen and paper method. Then, find someone to answer your Bible question. Having Bible questions and seeking answers to them is an important part of Bible study.
Along with your daily Bible reading plan, add some study materials. A daily devotional is an excellent addition, and though it is Bible related, it cannot be used in place of reading your Bible.
Before or after you read your Bible, take some time to pray to God about whatever is on your mind. A good practice is to have a prayer journal to write your prayer requests as a reminder to pray, and also to record God’s answers to your prayers.
Read the Bible in 365 Days Reading Plan — Valuable Resources
Download your daily Bible reading year plan here. Check out these free printable resources to help you both learn and love God’s Word.
- Bookmarks to use with your physical Bible and/or other books
- An 8-day Bible study devotional
- Psalm 23 coloring sheets — for you to mindfully color and absorb God’s Word
- Prayer journals
Read the Bible in 365 Days Reading Plan — Daily Discipline
The beauty of reading the Bible every day, even if you read it at your own pace, is that you are developing a daily habit of feasting on spiritual food. It is easy in our busy lives to neglect our spiritual needs, even to get into the thinking that a time of daily Bible reading and prayer is not necessary. However, this neglect of spiritual activity is dangerous. Just as you have daily habits of personal hygiene, social media time, and your morning coffee, so, too, should you develop and make time for personal spiritual growth.
You don’t have to read the entire Bible through in a year. But do allow this article, and even these Bible reading plans, to help you to either begin a daily discipline Bible reading and prayer time, or to continue to deepen your already established habit. Someday, you will meet God personally. Begin now to get to know Him by reading His instruction manual, His love letter to you, and when you do meet Him, you will be glad that you did. Don’t neglect His precious Word. He gave it to you for your own personal benefit. Every author, God included, loves to hear the words, “I read your book!”