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Amy's Bible Reading Schedule
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Download Amy's Bible Reading Schedule
It has been my privilege to teach and mentor women and teen girls for many years through my work as a Christian counselor and my ministry involvement at Berean Baptist Church. In these roles, I am constantly encouraging women to spend time reading the Bible, as doing so is so vital to our spiritual growth. Frequently, people tell me that their schedules simply do not allow time for reading, or that they feel overwhelmed by Bible-reading programs that are highly structured with the expectation that a great deal of material be completed each day. Over and over again, I’ve heard comments like: “I’ve tried reading through the Bible in a year so many times, but I always quit by the end of the first month because I get so far behind, and I feel like a failure!”
Although I strongly believe we can not use our busyness as an excuse for neglecting the Scriptures, I can also appreciate the frustrations expressed by those who have genuinely tried to meet the requirements of some Bible-reading programs. Consequently, several years ago, I decided to create a Bible-reading plan that incorporates the useful elements I’ve seen in other programs. At the same time, I worked to design a flexible and creative alternative that would encourage both consistency and motivation.
The schedule I have written provides five readings per week. Calendar dates and days of the week have been purposely eliminated so that you can begin using this plan at any point during the year, and you can complete the readings on the day’s of the week that are most conducive to your particular schedule. It is imperative that we receive spiritual input daily from Scripture, but many people enjoy doing so in a variety of ways throughout the week. This schedule allows for that type of flexible approach to growth.
This reading plan takes 77 weeks to complete. On most days, you have the opportunity to read from both the Old Testament and the New Testament, if you wish. The Psalms have been purposely interspersed throughout the schedule to allow you to focus on each one individually. Many Bible-reading plans have you read through the Psalms from beginning to end as you would with other books of the Bible, but since each Psalm is its own unit, I have chosen to incorporate them in a more creative manner. Often, the Psalms for a given week will correlate with the other passages you are reading. For Instance, when reading about the life of David, the Psalms he wrote at particular times in his life experience are read in conjunction with the narrative provided in 1 and 2 Samuel.
This Bible-reading plan follows a chronological pattern. Both the Old Testament and New Testament passages are presented chronologically with respect to the events that occurred during those points in history. For example, as you are reading the Old Testament, the book of Job is read immediately after the book of Genesis, since the events of Job’s life are known to have taken place very early in history. When you are reading the accounts of the kings of Israel and Judah, as recorded in 2 Kings and 1 and 2 Chronicles, the books of prophecy are read in conjunction with the narrative accounts to which they relate. In this way, you can begin to connect the major and minor prophets with the kings to whom they prophesied.
In a similar manner, while reading the book of Acts in the New Testament, Paul's letters are included at the points in the Acts narrative when Paul is thought to have written each one.
I feel this reading plan will help you to better grasp how the Biblical history and literature fits together, and that you will be able to better understand people, places, and events in a meaningful way that will enhance your appreciation for the entirety of Scripture.
It is important to note that it is not necessary to read both the Old Testament and New Testament passages as you work through the schedule from week to week. Some people enjoy reading portions of both each day, which is why they are provided in this manner. Others prefer to read all of the Old Testament before beginning the New Testament, or vice versa. This schedule allows you the flexibility to do what works best for you.
My prayer is that this innovative approach will be an encouragement to you, and that it will motivate you to read the Bible consistently over time. Most importantly, I pray that you will ponder and apply what you are learning each day from God’s word. Joshua 1:8 says: “This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.” (ESV)
May you experience the truth of this verse as you seek to grow in your relationship with the Lord through consistent attention to His Word.
Sincerely,
Amy Brown
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