Five Bible Reading Plans for 2021
I’m really bad at New Year’s.
Like… really bad.
I don’t normally set goals. I don’t have resolutions. I hardly consider a word for the new year. (Re: I’m not a great millennial). Let’s face it - we’re 12 days in to 2021, and I am just now getting my thoughts together on the subject.
If I’m honest with myself, though, I have an idea of how I want my year to look. In a year’s time I want to look back and see the ripple effects of what seemed like small steps of obedience. I want to be intentional with my relationships, spend less time scrolling the internet, discipline myself in exercise, and love God more. No, they aren’t written down in a pretty planner dedicated for recording daily, monthly, or annual goals, but they are goals nonetheless.
I’ve learned that unless acted upon, goals are merely appealing ideals. If I want to spend less time scrolling Instagram, I have to delete the app. If I want to get in shape, I have to commit to a fitness program. If I want to love God more, I have to open my Bible on a daily basis. Action and discipline are required of me.
Maybe that was your goal as well… to grow spiritually or to read your Bible regularly. However, we are 12 days in and you’ve yet to start because it feels overwhelming & intimidating at where to begin. Maybe you’ve been waiting on a “feeling” of delight and desire to come over you, and it feels too late to jump into anything now. Don’t let the fact that it isn’t January 1st stop you. Oftentimes, delight begins with discipline. We just have to start. I want to help in this worthy endeavor by giving you 5 recommended resources for 2021 to know and love God with all your heart, soul, and mind.
90 Day Bible Reading Plan
This is the plan that I am following starting this Wednesday with a group of girls in my church. 90 days. 45 minutes - 1 hour of reading per day. It sounds intense and it is, but the value far outweighs the commitment. You can order the book (linked above) or follow the free plan through the YouVersion app. This plan was designed for readers to understand the story of the Bible. Have you ever read a book in large chunks in a short period of time? You tend to remember the full narrative of the book. With the Every Word reading plan, that is exactly what we are after. If we are going to participate in God’s big story from creation to consummation, then we have to know God’s big story… from creation to consummation.
260 Day Bible Reading Plan
This 5-day reading plan is from Replicate Ministries, and is one of my favorites for beginners or those of us who may enjoy a slower, steady paced study than large consumption. Over the course of one year, the reader is able to read 2-4 chapters each day, taking it as deep as they like. Using the S.O.A.P or H.E.A.R method (articles on these methods - coming soon!) to study and understand is incredibly valuable with this reading plan.
Gospels in One Month
Want to get to know Jesus? Want to learn his character, what he valued, what he came to do? This is the plan for you. We muddy the waters much of the time with our cultural Christianity, differing denominations, and theological disagreements, all the while we forget to look at Jesus to get to know him for all his worth. This plan reorients us back to what is the most important. We learn Jesus, the friend who is closer than a brother.
Old Testament / New Testament
Now, this isn’t necessarily a formal plan as much as it is a way of reading your Bible. With this style of reading, you have the freedom to choose what books you read and how long you stay in them. For instance, begin with Genesis; once you finish, move to John, then Proverbs, then Ephesians. Keep going back and forth. I have done this for years and it has proven to be extremely beneficial, and it keeps me from only reading Paul’s New Testament Epistles (because who doesn’t love reading the “how to’s”). This style keeps the whole of Scripture in right relation to one another while giving freedom, but still requires discipline to stay in the Word.
The Big Picture
Again, not a formal reading plan, but a method of Bible reading. Like with each of our Bible reading plans, we want to keep Scripture in right relation to itself, because Scripture interprets Scripture. We know God based off what He has said in His Word… all of His Word. Here, we take the approach of reading 1-2 chapter(s) from 5 different genres in Scripture: Law, History, Poetry, Gospel, Epistle. For example, you might read Genesis 1, Joshua 1, Psalm 1, Matthew 1, and Romans 1. No, they will not all correlate in subject, but it will keep you focused on the arc of Scripture.
I hope these are helpful for you as you journey through the Bible. Trust me, there is nothing more worthy of our attention or devotion than understanding God through His Word. He didn’t leave us wondering… He has made Himself known to us. I pray we will learn to love our Bibles because we love the God of our Bibles.
I’d love to know which of these reading plans seems to suits your fancy or if you have another method of Bible reading that works for you. Let me know in the comments below!