How to Read the Entire Bible in a Year (and Actually Finish): A Practical Guide for the New Year


It’s about this time every year that countless people resolve to read through the entire Bible starting in January. It’s one of the most common (and most abandoned) New Year’s resolutions. Many of us start strong in Genesis, sail through Exodus, and then start to get a little off track somewhere around Leviticus. Simply put, reading the entire Bible in a year is not the easiest thing in the world to do.

But what if there was a way to read the whole Bible that keeps your attention, strengthens your faith, and transforms your daily rhythms?

It Starts With a Plan
If you’ve ever tried to read the Bible cover to cover, you already know how challenging it can be. The Bible isn’t a single book. It’s a library of sixty-six books in multiple genres, written across centuries by a wide array of authors in unique cultural settings. Without a good plan to guide you, it’s easy to lose your way. A good Bible reading plan provides structure, accountability, and balance. It helps you stay engaged by giving you a clear roadmap for each day. More importantly, it cultivates a daily habit of reading God’s word.

There are a ton of great Bible reading plans out there, and I have followed several over the years. My new favorite is one that I found in the NIV Daily Scripture Bible. This plan is unique because each day includes a reading from the Old Testament, the New Testament, and Psalms or Proverbs.

This structure keeps your heart and mind engaged while balancing depth and variety. Here’s why this plan works so well.

It Keeps Things Fresh
Let’s be honest: some parts of the Bible are easier to read than others. Genesis and Exodus are full of gripping narratives and divine encounters, but by the time you reach Leviticus and Numbers, the momentum can fade. The Daily Scripture plan helps you avoid getting stuck by using readings from three different parts of Scripture every day. So while you may be moving through a more challenging Old Testament section, you’re also spending time in the New Testament and Psalms or Proverbs that day as well.

Reading this way keeps you motivated and prevents you from abandoning your plan in the middle of the year. It’s a way of saying, “Every day, I want to hear from God’s Word in a balanced, life-giving way.”

You Get Time With Jesus Every Day
The New Testament comprises less than 25 percent of the Bible. This means that if you read straight through from Genesis to Revelation, you have to read for nine months before you get to the gospel of Matthew and are able to spend time with Jesus (yes, I know that the Old Testament is filled with references to Jesus, but his presence in the New Testament is more direct). This plan includes the New Testament from Day 1, so you will interact with Jesus and his first followers every day for an entire year.

That daily connection with Christ can change everything. As you read about Jesus’ teachings and miracles alongside the story of Israel in the Old Testament, you’ll see the full arc of Scripture in a new way. You’ll begin to recognize the unity of God’s redemptive plan woven throughout every page.

It Builds a Daily Rhythm
Some plans give you days off, which can be a good thing for certain people, but I love that the Daily Scripture reading plan is just that: daily. There are no “off days.” That consistency matters because transformation happens not through occasional inspiration, but through faithful repetition. Spending time in God’s Word every day grounds you, shapes your thoughts, and renews your mind.

Over time, you’ll notice how this rhythm spills into every part of life. Your prayer life deepens. Your perspective widens. You begin to see God’s hand not only in Scripture but in your everyday moments.

6 Proven Tips for Success
Reading through the entire Bible in a year is an ambitious goal, but with the right approach, it’s completely achievable. Over the years, I’ve both succeeded and failed at this challenge, and those experiences have taught me what makes the difference. Here are six tips to help you not only start strong, but finish well.

1. Stick to the Plan
The biggest obstacle to completing any Bible reading plan is inconsistency. Missing a day or two isn’t the problem — it’s the discouragement that comes after falling behind. The best way to stay on track is to make Bible reading a non-negotiable part of your daily routine.

Set aside 10–15 minutes each day, and if you miss a day, simply double up the next. If you know a certain day of the week is consistently hectic, plan ahead by reading extra the day before. The key is to keep moving forward.

2. Find a Bible You Love
The Bible you use matters more than you might think. Choose a translation you understand and enjoy. Whether that’s the NIV, ESV, NLT, or another trusted version, the right translation will make the text come alive (check out my book Bible Translations for Everyone if you need help figuring out which one is right for you).

Then find a Bible format that suits your habits. Perhaps you need a journaling Bible for note-taking, a study Bible for deeper insights, or a premium edition that feels inviting to hold and read. When you find a Bible you truly love, you’ll look forward to spending time in it every day.

3. Read at the Same Time and Place
Habits form best through consistency. Pick a specific time and place for your daily reading. For many, mornings work best. Others prefer a quiet evening moment.

Find a setting where you can focus and reflect. For me, it’s a small room at the front of my home, where the morning light filters in and a good cup of coffee is close by. Wherever you choose, make this a consistent rhythm in your life and it will quickly become something you look forward to every day.

4. Engage With the Text
Don’t just read the Bible, engage with the text in a deeper way. Write down questions that come to mind while you’re reading, and then go look up the answers after you finish your reading for the day. Highlight or underline key words or phrases that stand out to you.

Consider choosing one verse each week to memorize or meditate on throughout your day. The goal is not only to read the Bible but to let it read you. Invite the Holy Spirit to illuminate, convict, and comfort you through the living Word.

5. Invite Someone to Join You
The only thing better than reading the Bible in a year is doing it with someone you love. Invite a friend or family member to join you on this journey through the Bible. This will naturally create some accountability to stick to the plan. It will also give you someone to share your thoughts and questions with. The Bible was written not just for individuals but for God’s people together, and reading it in community reflects that truth.

6. Remember to Pray
Bible reading and prayer belong together. Before you open the Scriptures, ask God to speak to you. As you read, listen for His voice. Afterward, pray about what you’ve learned.

Prayer transforms reading from information-gathering into relationship-building. It reminds us that the goal isn’t merely to finish the Bible in a year, it’s to encounter the living God who inspired it.

A Journey Worth Taking
The Bible is more than a book. It’s the living Word through which God speaks, guides, and renews his people. As you prepare for a new year, consider making this your most meaningful resolution: to immerse yourself daily in Scripture.

Whether you’ve read through the Bible many times or never made it past Exodus, this can be your year to complete the journey. Approach it not as a task to accomplish but as a relationship to nurture. Trust that God will meet you through his Word in ways both ordinary and extraordinary. As you do, you’ll discover the truth of Psalm 119:105 in your own life: “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.”

As seen on Biblegateway.com

At the heart of The Purpose Driven Life is the conviction that true meaning starts with God, not personal ambition or self-fulfillment. Warren explains that people discover who they are only when they understand who they were created by. Purpose, therefore, is not invented; it is received. This God-first framework helps readers anchor their identity in something stable and eternal rather than temporary success or public approval.

Why you must be spiritually Alert in Prayer - Apostle Arome

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL

DATE: MONDAY JANUARY 5TH 2026

TOPIC: LET THERE BE LIGHT

MEMORISE:
And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. - (Genesis 1:3)

BIBLE READING: ACTS 3:1-8 (KJV)

1 Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour.

2 And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple;

3 Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms.

4 And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us.

5 And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them.

6 Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.

7 And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ancle bones received strength.

8 And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.

MESSAGE:
When God said, "Let there be light" in today's memory verse, it simply meant that there was darkness before then, and at that moment, light was yet to come. "Let there be light" signifies an end to sorrow and the beginning of joy. In Psalm 30:5, the Bible says that sorrow may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning. Sorrow changes to joy when light comes. Likewise, confusion gives way to clarity at the entrance of light.

If you are driving on a dark highway and suddenly, your car headlamps malfunction, you might find yourself in total darkness. In such cases, it is wise to quickly look for a safe space to park the vehicle because it is not safe to drive in total darkness. This is why darkness is associated with stagnation; there is usually no movement in an environment that is totally dark. If whatever is wrong with the car is corrected, however, and the headlamps begin to work again, then you can continue your journey. Whenever there is light, there is usually progress. I pray that light will come into your life in this new year, and there will be an end to stagnation. This year, you will experience progress and joy, in Jesus' name.

In today's Bible reading, we read about a man who was born lame. For many years, he was carried to the same spot daily so he could beg for alms. He had been stagnant all his life; however, when the Almighty God decided to visit him, not only did he start walking, he was jumping and praising God. Light shone on him because he had met Jesus through Peter and John, and he experienced a great turnaround. When the light of God comes into your life, you will move forward and upwards.

People normally sleep at night, and this is why Apostle Paul said in (1 Thessalonians 5:7) that those who sleep do so in the night. There is usually no movement when people are asleep. However, when the day breaks, light comes, and people awake from their sleep to go about their daily activities. Stagnancy gives way to progress when light comes. Beloved, I pray for you that the light of God will shine on every aspect of your life. There shall be no stagnancy in your life, and throughout this year, you will only move forward and upwards, in Jesus' name.

PRAYER POINT:
Father, please let Your light shine upon all areas of my life this year, in Jesus' name.

AUTHOR PASTOR E A ADEBOYE

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: GENESIS 18-20

HYMNAL: 19 ROCK OF AGES, CLEFT FOR ME

1 Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
let me hide myself in thee;
let the water and the blood,
from thy wounded side which flowed,
be of sin the double cure;
save from wrath and make me pure.

2 Not the labors of my hands
can fulfill thy law's demands;
could my zeal no respite know,
could my tears forever flow,
all for sin could not atone;
thou must save, and thou alone.

3 Nothing in my hand I bring,
simply to the cross I cling;
naked, come to thee for dress;
helpless, look to thee for grace;
foul, I to the fountain fly;
wash me, Savior, or I die.

4 While I draw this fleeting breath,
when mine eyes shall close in death,
when I soar to worlds unknown,
see thee on thy judgment throne,
Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
let me hide myself in thee.

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OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL
DATE: FRIDAY DECEMBER 19TH 2025

TOPIC: YOU CAN NOT CHEAT GOD

MEMORISE:
"Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap." - (Galatians 6:7)

BIBLE READING: PROVERBS 3:5-7 (KJV)

5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.

MESSAGE:
Years ago, a man who was completely stiff was brought to the RCCG headquarters; he couldn’t move his hands or bend down. We asked him if he would give his life to Jesus, and he did. We prayed a simple prayer, and immediately, he was healed. He was able to kneel, raise his hands, clap, and move his body in ways he couldn’t do before. For about two weeks, he was regular at church services, but after that, he stopped coming. We decided to follow him up, so we visited him at home and asked why he had not been coming to church. He responded by asking us if it was the church that healed him. We told him, “Of course not; it was God, but He used the church.” Then He said, “What then is the problem? If you go to a hospital and you get well, won’t you go home? I came to your church, and I got healed. There is no need for me to keep coming back.” We eventually left him alone, and some months later, as I was driving by, I saw him by the roadside in a worse condition than he was before his initial healing. This time, not only was his entire body stiff, his mouth was wide open, and saliva was dripping uncontrollably from it.

One thing about demons is that they don’t rest. When a demon’s host runs to God and gets delivered from the demon, after some time, it will return to see the state of the fellow. If it sees that the fellow, having received his or her miracle, has decided that he or she doesn’t need God again, it will invite seven more demons that are stronger than it to possess the fellow again. Eventually, the fellow who thought that he or she could use God just to get healed will realise that his or her case has become worse (Matthew 12:43-45).

Some men who are living wayward lives join churches because they want to get married to good Christian ladies. However, they often discover, after getting married, that they have been deceived into marrying someone like themselves who is not genuinely born-again, and also came to the church to look for a Christian husband.

Beloved, in my over 50 years of walking with God, I have discovered that people who think that they can use God and turn their backs on Him always regret it. Never be like such people!

KEY POINT:
Those who try to use God deceitfully always end up regretting their actions.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: HEBREWS 9-10

AUTHOR PASTOR E A ADEBOYE

HYMNAL: 31 YIELD NOT TO TEMPTATION

1 Yield not to temptation,
for yielding is sin.
Each vict'ry will help you
some other to win.
Fight valiantly onward;
dark passions subdue.
Look ever to Jesus;
He'll carry you through.
Refrain:
Ask the Savior to help you,
comfort, strengthen, and keep you.
He is willing to aid you;
He will carry you through.

2 Shun evil companions;
bad language disdain.
God’s name hold in rev'rence,
nor take it in vain.
Be thoughtful and earnest,
kind-hearted and true.
Look ever to Jesus;
He'll carry you through. [Refrain]

3 To him that o’ercometh
God giveth a crown.
Through faith we will conquer,
though often cast down.
He who is our Savior
our strength will renew.
Look ever to Jesus;
He'll carry you through. [Refrain]

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL

DATE: THURSDAY DECEMBER 18TH 2025

TOPIC: DON'T TAKE GOD FOR GRANTED

MEMORISE:
"I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing." - (John 15:5)

BIBLE READING: MATTHEW 10:28-33 (KJV)

28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

29 Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father.

30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.

31 Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.

32 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.

33 But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.

MESSAGE:
When I became the General Overseer of RCCG, I decided that everyone who attends our annual conventions would be fed by God during the conventions. I made the decision by faith as I was a pastor and did not have a secular job. I announced that everyone would be fed twice daily during conventions and I showed them (1 Kings 17:4-6) where God fed Elijah twice daily. One of the young men in the church, a baker, volunteered to provide us with bread for breakfast during our conventions, and he did this consistently for some years. One year, however, he decided that he would stop supplying bread because he didn’t like one of the sermons I had preached, but he didn’t inform me of his decision.

During one of the morning sessions that year, we sang and praised God until around 11am as we waited for bread to arrive; however, no bread was supplied. Around noon, I sent for him and asked, “What happened? Did the vehicles bringing the bread break down on the way here?” He said, “No”. Then, I asked him what the problem was, and he replied, “I am not bringing bread anymore.” Immediately, I sent for my wife and asked her, “How much do we have for the evening meal?” We gathered the money together and bought bread for breakfast. Somehow, God helped us to overcome the situation. Years later, I woke up one morning and saw the young baker in front of my house. I asked him, “What can I do for you? You are here very early.” He replied, “I could have come earlier, but I discovered that one of my car’s tyres was flat.” I asked him, “What about the spare tyre?” He said that he had none. This was a man who used to have at least 14 cars.

Beloved, don’t think that you can take God for granted because He is doing some great things through you now. Don’t think that He cannot do without you; in contrast, it is you who cannot do anything without Him and will be nothing without Him, as we see in today’s memory verse. Only foolish people will take the people in power in their country for granted. Therefore, imagine taking the One who is in control of the entire universe (Colossians 1:16-17) for granted. God is way bigger than you, so if you have been taking Him for granted in any way or you have not been honouring Him as you should, repent now.

KEY POINT:
Don't ever take God for granted; you are nothing without Him.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: HEBREWS 5-8

HYMNAL: 8 I NEED THEE EVERY HOUR

1 I need Thee ev'ry hour,
most gracious Lord;
no tender voice like Thine
can peace afford.
Refrain:
I need Thee, O I need Thee;
ev'ry hour I need Thee;
O bless me now, my Savior,
I come to Thee.

2 I need Thee ev'ry hour,
stay Thou nearby;
temptations lose their pow'r
when Thou art nigh. [Refrain]

3 I need Thee ev'ry hour,
in joy or pain;
come quickly and abide,
or life is vain. [Refrain]

4 I need Thee ev'ry hour,
teach me Thy will;
and Thy rich promises
in me fulfill. [Refrain]

5 I need Thee ev'ry hour,
most Holy One;
O make me Thine indeed,
Thou blessed Son. [Refrain]