My Bible Reading Plan – New and Improved

I have made some changes to my reading plan since my first reading plan post back in 2013. Over the past several years I made multiple failed attempts at creating and sticking to a consistent Bible reading plan. Often each day’s reading was just a task to check off my to do list.  If I missed a day, I had to read two days to make it up. I felt I just couldn’t get behind. If I missed two or three days, it was just too much.  I had to come up with a better way that would keep me moving forward with a disciplined reading plan. 

You can watch the YouTube video or read the text below (or do both)

Bible Reading Part 1

Deep Bible Study 3 – 5 days a week (not counting my sermon prep)

Read two chapters in the Old Testament then complete SOAP.

• S = Scripture. From my Old Testament reading I will hand write out 1 to 5 verses.
• O = Observation. I will write out what I observe. Who is writing / speaking? Who is the audience? What do I know of the historical events or culture. What context is needed for understanding?
• A = Application. How can I apply these verses or how am I changed by them?
• P = Prayer. I write out a prayer using the verses as a foundation.

I will then repeat the process reading two chapters from the New Testament

For the Old Testament I start in Genesis and in Matthew for the New Testament working my way through in order. If I miss a day or two, I pick up where I left off.

Part 2

Reading Done Every Day

This covers the biggest change since 2013. Life is busy and as a bi-vocational pastor my schedule is always changing. Part 1, which can take an hour or more, is difficult to complete every day.

My part 2 plan is loosely based on the Daily Office prayed by Benedictine Monks.

Benedictine Monks pray seven times a day. In one week they will have prayed through the entire book of Psalms. Seven times a day is a bit much for my schedule so I do more Bible reading 2 to 3 times using a couple apps.

These are times to just read and reflect. Usually I am not making any detailed notes other than blog and sermon ideas.

The first apps is Lectio 365 (available for Android and iPhone) – They have a daily free devotion that includes scripture, reflection and prayer. Around mid morning I listen to the audio version that is around 10 minutes. I close my eyes, relax and listen to their devotion, scripture and prayer.

Around mid to late afternoon I will do a short devotional reading from the YouVersion app. (available for Android and iPhone) Often just reading a few verses depending on that specific devotional.

Then later at night I use an annual Bible reading plan again from YouVersion. This gets me through the whole Bible each year. Each year I read from a different translation. Last year was ESV, this year NASB and next year will be the NLT.

We need an understanding of how the Bible is connected and points us to Jesus from Genesis to Revelation. This best way to get this understanding is to set a goal each year to read through the entire Bible.

Lection 365 and YouVersion help me fill in the gaps when life happens and I don’t have time for the deep study and it keeps me in the word throughout the day.

Let me know in the comments what reading plan you use or let me know what is your greatest struggle staying consistently in the Word.

Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash

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About the Author: Jon Stallings

I am enthusiastic about helping others discover their purpose and grow into a deeper relationship with Jesus. It is great to see their eyes light up at their “Ah Ha!” moment when they discover they were created for something more. My hope is that this blog will help encourage and inspire you along your way. Join the conversation and take the time to share with me your own story. I have been married to my beautiful wife Janice for over 30 years. We currently live in McDonough Georgia with our daughter. Our two boys have left the nest and we have two wonderful grand kids. Of course we cannot forget about our dog Bear.