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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.