Start the New Year Off Right with a Daily Bible Reading Plan

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All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

2 Timothy 3:16-17

Do you desire to be adequately equipped for the daily tasks of motherhood, marriage, and homeschooling? Then you need to be in God’s Word on a daily basis. And there is no better time to establish a habit of daily Bible reading than right now!

Why Daily Bible Reading is Essential

Why is reading your Bible on a daily basis so important?

Let’s take a look at Psalm 119 for some answers.

• You will be blessed. (vv.1-2)
• You will be able to overcome the temptations of sin. (vv. 3, 9-11 & 133)
• You will find delight. (vv. 14-16, 24, 47, 77 & 143)
• You will be strengthened in your grief. (vv. 28)
• You will know how to obey God. (vv. 33-35)
• It will produces a reverence for God. (v. 38)
• You will find comfort. (vv. 50 & 52)
• You will gain wisdom. (vv. 98-100 & 144)
• It will guide you. (v. 105)
• You will know the truth. (v. 160)
• You will have peace. (v. 165)

Overcoming the Challenges of Daily Bible Reading

While daily time in the Word of God is important, it can be a challenge, especially for homeschool moms who are home with their kids all day.

Listen to this podcast episode for tips on how to make daily Bible reading a reality.

• 5 Hindrances to Daily Bible Reading and How to Overcome Them

Choose a Bible Reading Plan That Works for You

“If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.” This often applies to our efforts to establish the habit of daily Bible reading. If we don’t have a Bible reading plan, we often put off reading our Bibles or sit down and flip through the pages with no goal in mind. That’s why having a Bible reading plan can be so helpful.

There are lots of Bible reading plans to choose from. You can read through the Bible beginning to end, starting in Genesis and working your way to Revelation. You can read your Bible chronologically, as things happened in history. You could also read the books of the Bible historically, based on when they were written. Some people enjoy reading a few passages from both the Old Testament and the New Testament each day. There is also great value in digging deep into one book of the Bible. For example, you might spend a month or more delving into the truths found in the book of Romans before moving on to another book of the Bible. All of these plans have their place in our spiritual growth. Find one that works best for you in the season that you are in.

Here are a few Bible Reading plans to consider:

• Ligonier has multiple Bible reading plans to download for free.
• Crossway has several Bible reading plans as well.
• These Scripture Journals are a great way to slow down, study, and savor your time in the Word.
• Try this 5 Day a Week Bible Narrative reading plan which walks you through the major narratives of Scripture, plus Psalms and Proverbs. This one is great for children, adults, or to use for family devotions. It also includes a memory verse and a hymn for each week.
• Children can read through the major stories in the Bible with Exploring the Bible for Kids.

Remember that a Bible reading plan is meant to assist you in your daily study of God’s Word. It is not a slave master that you must obey nor is it a legalistic ritual to follow. You can slow down and savor just a few verses one day or dive in and study one portion of Scripture for weeks at a time. The important thing is that you are feasting on the Word of God on a daily basis.

The law of the Lord is perfect,
    reviving the soul;
the testimony of the Lord is sure,
    making wise the simple;
the precepts of the Lord are right,
    rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the Lord is pure,
    enlightening the eyes;
the fear of the Lord is clean,
    enduring forever;
the rules of the Lord are true,
    and righteous altogether.
More to be desired are they than gold,
    even much fine gold;
sweeter also than honey
    and drippings of the honeycomb.
Moreover, by them is your servant warned;
    in keeping them there is great reward.

Proverbs 19:7-11