The goal of daily Bible reading should be more than merely checking something off a to-do list; it should be more than seeing how quickly you can finish the entire book.
A proper goal of daily Bible reading is to know God more deeply. While one can discern specific characteristics of God through an appropriate assessment of the creation (Psa. 19:1-4; Rom. 1:20), there are some traits of the Almighty that we can only discover through our acquaintance with the scriptures. By reading the word of God, seeing how he has interacted with his creation, and studying his laws, we come to know that God is light (1 John 1:5), loving (1 John 4:8), infinite in wisdom (Psa. 147:5), omnipresent (Psa. 139:7), holy (Psa. 99:9), just (Deut. 32:4), a consuming fire (Heb. 12:29), good (Psa. 34:8), faithful (1 Cor. 10:13), merciful (Eph. 2:4), longsuffering (2 Pet. 3:9), and gracious (Exo. 34:6). If our Bible reading doesn’t deepen our relationship with God, we’re doing it wrong.
One of the key benefits of daily Bible reading is the opportunity for personal growth. James likened the word of God to a mirror (James 1:22-25) that reflects our true selves. The scriptures have the power to delve into our hearts, revealing our deepest thoughts and attitudes (Heb. 4:12). By immersing ourselves in the word each day, we can better understand our origins (Gen. 1:26-27), our purpose (Acts 17:27), and our destiny (2 Cor. 5:10).
A proper goal of daily Bible reading is to discover God’s will. According to Paul, no one knows the mind of God except the Spirit of God (1 Cor. 2:11). But the Spirit did not conceal all of that knowledge. He revealed God’s mind and will to “holy apostles and prophets” (Eph. 3:5), who in turn recorded those things for our good (1 Cor. 2:12- 13). By spending time each day reading the scriptures, we come to know that God’s will includes his desire for our salvation (1 Tim. 2:4; 2 Pet. 3:9), our sanctification and abstinence from sexual sin (1 Thess. 4:3), that we are grateful people (1 Thess. 5:18); and that we silence critics of Christianity by doing good deeds (1 Pet. 2:15).
The transformative power of the Bible is a key reason for daily reading. Knowing God’s will is crucial, but it’s not the end of our journey. We should strive to understand God’s will to live it out. Jesus said, “If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them” (John 13:17). “So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin” (James 4:17). “I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you” (Psa. 119:11). Paul prayed that the Christians in Colossae would “be filled with the knowledge of his will” (Col. 1:9), but this knowledge was to lead them “to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him” (Col. 1:10). May that ever be our prayer, too.
I created my own reading plan because I wanted to read all of the Bible yearly and spend a lot more time with Jesus. By spending more time in the Gospels and with Jesus, I learn more about Him and feel closer to Him. My plan gets me through the Gospels four times a year. I also spend more time reading the New Testament than the Old. In the Old, I learn who God is, His will, and how we fall short and need a Savior. We are told that a Savior is to come and what He will be like. In the New, we see Him. This journey of learning about Jesus through the Gospels is a source of joy and connection. The Holy Spirit shows me something new every day. Every day with Jesus is better than the day before.
My Bible Reading Plan is at the bottom of the Home page. You may copy it or email me, and I will send you a spreadsheet version in Excel or PDF format.
I intend to update the plan on the Home page on January first of every year.
