If You've Ever Wanted to Read the Bible, Start With a Plan

Last year I did something I had never done before in my life.

I read the entire Bible from beginning to end.

I'll be honest. There were moments when it was easy to read and moments when it felt slower. Some parts were simple and inspiring. Other sections were harder to understand and made me stop and look deeper.

But that was actually part of what made the experience meaningful.

It made me slow down. It made me think.

And it made me realize something important: anything worthwhile in life usually requires intention and a plan.

Why the Bible for This Month

Each month I share a book that has impacted me in some way. Often it's a business book or something about leadership or growth.

But when Easter falls in the month, choosing the Bible feels like the most natural choice.

Reading the Bible wasn't just about finishing a book.

It became part of my daily rhythm. A quiet moment each day to learn, reflect, and grow.

And like most meaningful habits, it started with a simple decision to be consistent.

Reading the Bible Takes a Plan

One of the biggest things I learned is that reading the Bible is a lot like reaching any meaningful goal.

It takes a plan.

Without a plan, it's easy to start and then slowly lose momentum. The Bible is a big book, filled with history, poetry, stories, and teachings that span thousands of years. Trying to approach it without structure can feel overwhelming.

That's why I highly recommend using a reading plan.

One of the best tools I found was the YouVersion Bible App. It has several reading plans that guide you through the Bible in manageable daily sections. Instead of wondering where to begin each day, the plan simply walks you through it step by step.

Just like in life, when we have a clear plan, consistency becomes much easier.

What Makes It Stick

I've been studying a devotional based on The Chosen, which is a series that explores the life of Jesus and the people whose lives were changed by Him.

What I've really enjoyed about this study is how it brings the people of the Bible to life.

It looks at their personalities, struggles, doubts, and questions. It helps you understand the people behind the stories many of us have heard for years.

And honestly, it has made the Bible even more interesting and meaningful to study.

A Verse That Guides Me

My word for the year is stewardship.

I always like to have a verse of the year too. Mine is Luke 16:10:

"Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much."

That verse reminds me that stewardship is about faithfulness.

Faithfulness with our time. Faithfulness with our opportunities. Faithfulness with the people and responsibilities God places in our lives.

Small, consistent actions often lead to the biggest results over time.

And that's true not only in faith, but in every area of life.

The Power of Small Daily Habits

One of the biggest lessons from reading the Bible was the power of small daily habits.

Reading a few chapters each day doesn't seem like a big deal in the moment. But day after day, week after week, those small steps add up.

The same principle applies to faith, business, health, and relationships.

Progress usually doesn't happen overnight. It happens through small, consistent steps taken every day.

Frequently Asked Questions About Reading the Bible

What is Bible journaling and how can it make studying the Bible easier?

It helps you engage actively with Scripture instead of passively reading.

Bible journaling is the practice of writing notes, reflections, prayers, or creative illustrations directly in the margins of your Bible or in a separate notebook while you read Scripture. Writing things down engages your brain differently than just reading. When you journal, you slow down. You process what you're reading more deeply. You create a visual record of what stood out to you, which makes it easier to remember later. You don't need to be artistic to Bible journal. Some people draw and use watercolors. Others simply write notes, underline key verses, or jot down questions. The goal isn't to create something beautiful. The goal is to engage with what you're reading. Bible journaling helps distracted readers stay focused. It gives you a tool to meditate on the message rather than letting your mind wander.

Source: https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/the-joy-of-bible-journaling

How do you make a habit of daily devotions?

Use habit stacking to attach Bible reading to something you already do every day.

The best way to build a habit of daily devotions is to use habit stacking, a concept from James Clear's book Atomic Habits. Habit stacking means you attach a new habit to something you already do every day. Instead of trying to remember to read your Bible "sometime in the morning," you link it to an existing routine. The formula is simple: "After [CURRENT HABIT], I will [NEW HABIT]." For example: "After I pour my morning coffee, I will read one chapter of the Bible" or "After I drop the kids at school, I will spend 10 minutes in devotional reading" or "After I brush my teeth at night, I will read one Psalm." The key is to be specific. Don't just say "I'll read my Bible in the morning." Say exactly when and where. The more tightly you link your new habit to something you already do consistently, the more likely it is to stick. Start small. Even two minutes counts. Consistency beats intensity.

Source: https://jamesclear.com/habit-stacking

Which Bible translation is best for daily reading?

The best translation is the one you'll actually read.

There's no single "best" translation. It depends on what you're looking for. If you want word-for-word accuracy, ESV (English Standard Version) or NASB (New American Standard Bible) are excellent choices. They stay close to the original Hebrew and Greek. If you want readability, NIV (New International Version) or NLT (New Living Translation) are easier to understand and still accurate. If you're brand new to the Bible, start with NLT or The Message. They're written in modern, conversational language that's easy to follow. If you want deeper study, use a study Bible in any translation. Study Bibles include notes, cross-references, and explanations that help you understand context. The best Bible translation is the one you'll actually read. If a version feels too formal or hard to understand, switch to something more accessible. You can always compare translations later using tools like the YouVersion app, which lets you read multiple versions side by side.

What's the best way to start reading the Bible if I've never read it before?

Start with one of the Gospels, not Genesis.

Don't start with Genesis and try to read straight through. The Bible isn't meant to be read like a novel. Instead, start with one of the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John). These books tell the story of Jesus's life and teachings. They're the foundation of everything else in the Bible. If you want the shortest Gospel, start with Mark. It's fast-paced and only 16 chapters. If you want the most detail, start with Matthew or Luke. If you want theological depth, start with John. After you finish one Gospel, try a shorter New Testament book like Philippians, James, or 1 John. These are practical, easy to understand, and full of application for daily life. Once you're comfortable, you can explore Psalms (poetry and prayers), Proverbs (wisdom), or Genesis (the beginning of everything). The key is to use a reading plan. The YouVersion Bible App has dozens of plans designed for beginners. They break the Bible into manageable daily readings so you're never overwhelmed. Start small. Stay consistent. And don't worry about understanding everything immediately. Growth takes time.

Download the YouVersion Bible App: https://www.bible.com/app

If You're Thinking About Starting

If reading the Bible has ever felt overwhelming, my encouragement is simple.

Start small. Find a plan. And take it one day at a time.

You don't have to understand everything immediately. Sometimes the most meaningful insights come when we slow down and look deeper.

The goal isn't perfection. The goal is consistency.

3 Things to Consider

Choose a word or theme that reflects who you want to become. Stewardship guides how I approach my time, my business, and my relationships. What word would shape your decisions?

Set aside time each day to read something that adds value to your life. Ten minutes a day doesn't sound like much, but it compounds. What you read shapes how you think.

Remember that small daily habits create long-term growth. Consistency beats intensity. The Bible took me a year to read, but only because I showed up every day.

2 Simple Questions

What would change in your life if you spent just 10 minutes a day reading something meaningful?

And what word or theme do you want to guide your year?

1 Invitation

If you've ever thought about reading the Bible, consider starting a YouVersion reading plan and join me in building a simple daily habit of learning and reflection.

Download the YouVersion Bible App: https://www.bible.com/app