Through The BIBLE In One Year

Have you ever wondered just how many chapters you would have to read each day in order to read the entire bible through in one year? Well, there are 1189 chapters in the bible. If you plan to read every day, you would need to read at least three and one-third (3.3) chapters each day. Or, if you plan for a weekly schedule, you need to read twenty-two and nine-tenths (22.9) chapters per week. These are the minimum amounts of reading required in order to finish the bible reading in one year's time.

But, how would one know where the fractions would fall each day in the chapters? Wouldn't that get confusing? Yes, it sure would. And, it would become discouraging trying to do the math - unless you love math and equations. So, what to do? The easiest way to accomplish the reading is to keep the schedule simple. Read MORE than the minimum amount each day. This will put you ahead of the schedule and give you a buffer zone for those days when things just don't go as planned. How much more should you read?  Just a few more verses. Instead of reading fractions of the last chapter on your schedule, read the entire chapter. For daily reading, read four (4) chapters in their entirety. If you are on a weekly schedule, plan to read at least twenty-three (23) chapters in their entirety. This will allow you to finish reading the entire bible before the year has ended.  In fact, if you have stayed with the schedule from the beginning, you will finish reading the entire bible in less than ten months! Sounds incredible, doesn’t it? And yet, it is possible.

No matter how good a schedule we might create, the only way it will be effective is to set aside time each day for nothing less than the minimum reading required. More importantly, don't just read through it. Take the time to absorb the word. Listen to what you are reading. And if you fall behind a little in your reading schedule because you were 'running references', don't worry. You will catch up again on some of the shorter chapters. Besides, you aren't getting behind - just moving ahead by getting deeper in the Word. Don’t worry if you can’t read four entire chapters each day. Some of them are very long. Remember, you have (by this schedule calendar) sixty-eight (68) days at the end of the year to act as your buffer zone – or catch up days. Just be careful not to abuse the time – it will run out.

The following calendar is designed to assist you in keeping track of your reading progress.  Some helpful hints are:

A)    Use markers in your bible to keep your place

B)     Mark your calendar each day

C)    Use the open days on the calendar to keep track of reading that is ‘off schedule’

In a world and time of restlessness and uncertainty, it is good to have a firm foundation to stand on. God is that foundation of solid rock. His Word is the mortar that binds us to it. Remember the words of King David;

¶ Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Ps 119:11

January 2008