In 2025, I decided I was going to read the entire Bible chronologically. A friend shared a study plan that provided a daily reading, a short devotional, and a brief video explanation of what I read each day for an entire year until I had completed the Bible. It seemed like the perfect way to kick off the year!
Here are some of the lessons I learned from studying God's Word from cover to cover.
Just Keep Reading
Spoiler alert: It took me 16 months to complete the entire study plan...not 12.
While my natural tendency is to view this fact as a "failed goal," I discovered that it was less important how long it took me to finish the entire Bible than it was to actually stay committed to spending time with Him and learning His word.
Give yourself the grace to keep reading, even if you are "behind." God simply wants to spend time with you, and He loves when you seek Him through His word.
One important note: Don't let spending time with the Lord become just another thing to check off your to-do list. While it takes discipline to read every day, don't let the hustle of life steal the joy of spending time with your Creator. Getting to read the Bible is a gift, not a chore!
Prioritize Him
It's easy to say Christ holds the #1 spot in our lives, but do our actions reflect this priority? This is a very convicting question that I honestly have to ask myself more often than I wish to admit.
One of the excuses that caused me to get behind on my readings was simply the excuse of being "busy." While there are busy seasons in life, I personally believe there is always time for God. It's simply a matter of whether we prioritize our time with Him over the other things on our agendas.
Quick Tip: Invite friends to read the Bible alongside you and hold you accountable! I did this reading plan with some friends who weren't afraid to check in and make sure we all were keeping our daily Bible time a priority--it was a gamechanger! Plus, it was so interesting to hear how the Lord spoke to each of us in different ways.
Make "Quiet Time" Non-Negotiable
The term "quiet time" can sometimes feel like a Christian buzzword. But the concept itself is so important. We need space where we can truly read and listen for what God is speaking to us—even if you're in a season where your "quiet time" is not so quiet.
If you find yourself never having "quiet time", I would encourage you to find (or create) some margin in your day to be fully present and intentional about reading the Bible. For me, this looked like starting my mornings with my readings before I even got ready for the day.
I think you'd be amazed at what even 10 minutes of time with the Lord can do for your soul.
Power in Prayer
When reading the Bible, it's important to pair your reading with prayer. Ask God to show you what He has for you. Ask Him to help you understand what you're reading. Ask Him to give you the discipline to read each day.
He hears you, and He cares about you. We need His provision to strengthen, guide, and equip us as we learn more about Him and His Word.
It All Points to the Cross
Cover to cover, the Bible is a love story—one that points us to our Savior, Jesus Christ.
It was fascinating to read the Old Testament and see how, from garden to garden, God was weaving together a beautiful redemption story—all because He loves us.
"Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends." — John 15:13
So Much More
Reading the Bible chronologically only deepened my appreciation for God's Word. It is incredible how the same passages can speak to us in new ways during different seasons of life. The more I read, the more I realize how much there is to learn about God's character and His love for us. I'm thankful for the truth, wisdom, and encouragement found in Scripture, and I look forward to continuing this journey for the rest of my life.
Here is Bible reading plan that I followed. They have many different versions and resources to help you read, learn, and love the Bible!
New to reading the Bible? I've found that the Bible App is an easy way to get started with reading plans or simply reading the Bible on your mobile device.
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