In general, there are two approaches to daily Bible-reading: reading for intimacy or reading for familiarity. Intimacy with the Bible comes through slow, meditative reading that focuses on small portions鈥攄eep study of key books, chapters, and verses. Familiarity with the Bible comes through faster reading of much larger portions鈥攖he entire sweep of the biblical narrative. Both are fine approaches to the Bible and Christians thrive on a healthy mixture of the two. There is great benefit in knowing the Bible as a whole (familiarity) and in knowing the most important parts in detail (intimacy). (See Intimacy or Familiarity)
My favorite daily Bible-reading plan is the 5 Day Bible Reading Program. I used it for several years in a row before deciding to try something different for 2019 (a decision I soon regretted). I’ll be back to it in 2020. It has several features I love:
It is a familiarity plan that covers the entire text of the Bible over the course of the year. Between January 1 and December 31 those who follow it read every word of the Bible.
It is a pseudo-chronological plan that covers the text of the Bible in the order the events happened. Thus, for example, the Psalms come at appropriate moments in the life of David, the books of Kings and Chronicles are read in harmony, and so on. This helps set the events in their historical context. Yet even though it鈥檚 chronological, it鈥檚 only pseudo-chronological. There are Old Testament and New Testament readings each day and the gospels are interspersed through the year. I find this an ideal compromise over a strictly chronological program.
It is a 5-day plan. A benefit of a 5-day plan (as opposed to a 7-day plan) is that there is less chance of falling far behind. At 5 days per week it is far more doable than at 7 days鈥攖here is always a chance to catch up. Also, it allows a day or two of reading something different for those who, for example, like to read and ponder the sermon text on a Sunday morning (or for those who don’t do personal devotions on Sunday).
It is a free plan. It鈥檚 free for the taking! They鈥檝e got a nice little print-out you can download, print, fold in half, and put inside your Bible. It鈥檚 got boxes to tick as complete each day and each week. Or you can use the ReadingPlan app to organize the plan even while reading through Logos, the ESV app, or a printed Bible.
The 5 Day Bible Reading Program is a free download. I echo their hope for the program: 鈥淕od鈥檚 blessings rest with those who will read, understand, and live by His Word. May this guide help you to that noble end. 鈥楾hy word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path鈥 (Psalms 119:105).鈥滭/p>
