How to Create Your Own Bible Reading Plan
Matt · April 16, 2026
To create your own Bible reading plan, decide what you want to cover, set a realistic daily reading amount, and pick a structure — chronological, book-by-book, or thematic — that fits your goals. There's no single right way, and a plan built around your life is one you'll actually stick with.
Start With Your Goal
Before you map out a schedule, get clear on what you're trying to accomplish. Different goals lead to very different plans:
- Read the whole Bible — If you want to cover every book from Genesis to Revelation, you'll need to work through all 1,189 chapters. At about 3 chapters per day, that takes roughly a year. At 4-5 chapters, you can finish in 9 months.
- Deepen knowledge of a specific testament — Some people spend a year in the New Testament alone, going slowly and studying deeply. Others focus on the Old Testament prophets or the wisdom literature.
- Follow a topical thread — You could read every passage about prayer, every reference to covenant, or trace a theme like redemption from Genesis to Revelation.
- Get through it consistently — For some, the goal is simply to read something every single day and build the habit. The content matters less than the consistency.
Write your goal down. It will shape every other decision.
Choose a Reading Structure
Once you know your goal, pick a structure:
Book-by-book is the simplest approach. Start with Genesis and read straight through. You get the full context of each book without jumping around. The downside is that long stretches of Leviticus or genealogies can feel slow.
Chronological rearranges the Bible in the order events happened. Psalms that David wrote get placed alongside the 2 Samuel passages they relate to. Many people find this structure helps the story make more sense. Apps like Bible In A Year follow a similar approach, pairing Old and New Testament readings to keep both moving forward together.
Thematic or blended plans mix passages from different parts of the Bible around a topic or season. Advent plans, Lenten plans, and "Jesus Storybook" style plans often work this way.
New Testament first is a popular option for newer readers. Starting with the Gospels gives you the person of Jesus as a lens for reading the Old Testament later.
Plan Your Daily Reading Load
Be honest with yourself about how much time you have. Ten minutes of consistent reading beats 45 minutes three times a week.
A rough guide:
- 10 minutes/day → 1-2 chapters
- 20 minutes/day → 2-3 chapters
- 30+ minutes/day → 4-5 chapters
If you want to read the whole Bible in a year, 3 chapters per day gets you there with a little buffer for missed days. If that feels like too much pressure, stretch it to 18 months or two years. A slower pace done consistently is better than burning out in February.
Build In Grace for Missed Days
Every reading plan needs a recovery strategy. Life happens — travel, illness, a hard week. Decide upfront how you'll handle gaps. Some people just skip missed days and keep going. Others set aside one day a week as a catch-up day. Whatever you choose, don't let a three-day gap turn into a month-long pause.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many chapters should I read each day to finish the Bible in a year?
Reading 3 chapters per day gets you through the entire Bible in just under a year. If you read Monday through Friday only, bump that to 4-5 chapters to stay on pace.
Is it better to read the Bible in order or out of order?
Neither is wrong. Reading in order (Genesis to Revelation) helps you follow the narrative arc. Chronological or thematic plans offer different angles. Pick the structure that matches your goal and keeps you engaged.
What if I already started and want to switch plans?
Pick up with a new plan from wherever you are, or start fresh. Switching plans isn't failure — it's adapting. The goal is consistent engagement with Scripture, not perfection with a schedule.