By Beth Murphy
Is Reading Through the Entire Bible on Your Bucket List?
Here are some proven methods to help you stick with it the whole year!
As the new year approaches, and we start to think about our goals and resolutions for 2026, reading the entire Bible has probably been on your list at one time or another.
Reading through the Bible can feel intimidating. And simply starting at the beginning and trying to read a few pages a day doesn’t work for everyone.
Here are our top tips on how to make 2026 the year you finally read through the whole Bible.
1. Let go of excuses
Throughout his decades in ministry, pastor and author David Platt has heard probably every excuse people have for not reading the Bible. In his book, How to Read the Bible, he unpacks some of the most common. See if any of these sound familiar:
“I don’t understand how the Bible applies to my life.”
“I’ve tried, but I just don’t know how.”
“Isn’t studying the Bible the pastor’s job?”
“I just don’t have time.”
“I’m not sure the Bible is even true.”
“I just don’t have a desire to study God’s Word.”
Platt concludes the first chapter of his book with this invitation:
"I invite you to decide today to let go of any excuse for not studying the Bible. Your Creator loves you so much that he has supernaturally inspired his Word to show you who he is and how you can experience abundant, eternal life in relationship with him. His Word is unlike anything else in the world: It is perfect, sure, right, pure, clean, true, righteous, more valuable than millions of dollars, and more satisfying than the finest of foods....Don’t you want to experience everlasting joy, life-changing awe, otherworldly wisdom, death-defying courage, never-ending peace, and indescribable love? Then study the Word of the One who guarantees you all of this reward and more when you hear and obey him. It’s time to realize that your life here on earth—and for all of eternity—depends on listening and responding to God’s Word."
2. Use the buddy system
Don't go it alone! God wired us for community. We need others to encourage us, lift us up on hard days, pray with us, and keep us accountable.
Find someone who will join you in your goal and commit to being your accountability partner. Ask someone in your household or at work who you see every day in person to join you in reading the Bible aloud each day. Make a pact with a friend to text each other every day to check in, or better yet, hop on FaceTime and read together each day. You could even consider inviting your entire small group or Bible study group to do a reading plan together.
3. Be consistent AND realistic
Decide what is realistic in your schedule, and choose a tool or plan that you can stick with. This endeavor will stretch you, and that’s a good thing, but don’t commit to a plan you can’t maintain.
If you know you will need some grace for missed days, use a five- or six-day-per-week plan, and give yourself some margin each week to catch up on missed readings. If you don't love reading, supplement reading a printed Bible with some days of listening to an audio Bible. If you are a slower reader, consider a two-year plan instead of a one-year plan.
Consistency is key, setting aside time with God and his Word each day.
4. Find the right tool
I was at a church conference a couple months ago and needed an Allen wrench to set up one of our displays. Alas, there was no Allen wrench in our supplies. Eric and I tried everything we could think of as a substitute, but nothing worked. Eventually, we asked the church custodian for help and he found us the right tool. Without the right tool, the work is a lot more difficult!
As you embark on reading through the whole Bible, one of the most helpful tools is a special Bible that has already been arranged into daily readings. Of course, you can use the Bible you already have, but the nice thing about a daily reading Bible is that you don’t have to keep your reading plan on a separate piece of paper, download an app, or keep a calendar handy. You just open your Bible to where you left your bookmark and read passages laid out for that day.
Here are some of my favorites:
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Daily Scripture – comes in NIV or NASB, and both regular and SUPER GIANT print sizes. Also includes helpful contextual summaries before each day’s reading. Readings are numbered (Day 1, Day 2, etc.) so you can start anytime during the year.
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The Everyday Bible – comes in KJV or NKJV, and in bindings ranging from a super affordable softcover to leathersoft with a ribbon marker to keep your place. Readings are dated (January 1, January 2) so it’s easy to know what to read each day of the year.
- Devotional Bibles from your favorite authors – includes dated daily readings of Scripture, plus features like daily devotionals, application articles, or study notes from trusted pastors Max Lucado, Charles Stanley, or John MacArthur.
Our friends at Bible Gateway have lots more great tools, including streaming Bible audio and dozens of free reading plans.
5. Ask the Helper for help
“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.” John 14:26 (NKJV)
God has sent us the Holy Spirit to dwell in us and empower, encourage, and convict us as we walk with him. If we ask, he will give us the strength and willpower to stick with our Bible reading, and more than that—he will illuminate his word and draw us into a closer relationship with our Savior.
Happy reading! We're cheering you on!