Now that you’ve chosen a Bible translation that you’re comfortable with, it’s best if you have a plan for how you’re going to accomplish the goal of reading the whole Bible.  First, we’ll look at what makes a good reading plan, then I’ll share some great resources for choosing a plan that’s right for you.

A good reading plan has four characteristics:

1. It’s realistic for your lifestyle. The reading plan of a retired librarian is going to look different from the reading plan of a single mom of triplet two-year-olds. Choose a plan with a time frame that is practical and doable for your schedule, personality, and responsibilities.

The first time I read the Bible, I did it in a year. But I was single and I love to read. The second time, I was on the three-year plan. What changed? I became a wife, a mom, and started working and volunteering much more than before. So, since my lifestyle and responsibilities changed, my reading plan had to change too.

2. It incorporates time for reflection/catch up/breaks/life – Not everyone follows the same daily routine. You know your schedule best, so it may be that you need a weekly or monthly plan instead of a daily plan. When I read the Bible the first time, the thing that worked best for me was that I planned a few days “off” each month. I knew that there would be times when I would miss, so my “off” days usually became my catch up days. Rather than berate myself with guilt if I got off-track, I knew I’d be able to get back on track fairly soon.

3. It mixes up OT, NT, Psalms, Proverbs – Some people can start in Genesis and read straight through to Revelation, but not most. They hit Leviticus and never seem to recover. So a good reading plan will keep you from getting bogged down in any one area of the Bible. There are a million ways to create this balance, so there’s no “right” way, but a common example is to read a little of the Old and New Testament, plus either some of Psalms or Proverbs each day. How you incorporate variety will depend on your comfort level.

4. It tracks your progress – A good reading plan allows you to keep track of your progress. It’s a common fact that people are much more likely to accomplish a goal if they write it down and track their progress along the way.

There is no “right” or “wrong” plan for reading the Bible, so feel free to make one of your own or check out the following websites for some awesome pre-made reading plans.

• YouVersion – I’m listing this first because it is my favorite! It’s fairly new, but is an online Bible application that has hundreds of reading plans. You register for a free account, then choose which plan(s) you want to follow. You can receive email reminders, access it online, read it in an RSS feeder, or sync it with your smartphone and read it there. PLUS, several translations have an audio feature, so you can listen while you read! (A great tool if your mind tends to drift while you’re reading!) You can add notes, highlight verses and participate in online discussions (if you want).  After years of lugging a very heavy Bible with me, I’m excited to use this tool in 2012!
• BiblePlan – Has 13 reading plans available.  Online or Email. (plus has links to other online plans too).
• NavPress – Three different plans to print out and keep in your Bible.
• BibleGateway – Has plans for Comprehensive, Biographical, Survey, and Chronological reading.  Online only.

I hope this helps as you set out to read the entire Bible! Even if you’re on the ten-year plan, it’s still a plan! Next week we’ll talk about a Warning and a Challenge for those who decide to read the whole Bible. Have a great weekend!

Q: Do you follow a Bible reading plan? If so, what is it?