A Unique Spin on Read-Your-Bible-In-A-Year

Every year, I try to read my Bible all the way through. Uhhhhh… yeah before you anoint me a saint (I’m not), you should know that sometimes it takes me two years. Sometimes, I’m not even sure what happens, and I read all over the place so I have to just start over in January. It’s kind of my ever-present New Year’s Resolution.

A unique spin on Read-Your-Bible-In-A-Year

Most of the time I start in Genesis and set a course towards Revelation. But you know what happens right around the book of Numbers… the begats, begats, begats. Phew. I think that’s right around this time of year, too. Then I end up having to read double for days when I couldn’t get through the whole passage.

In search of a fresh take on reading my Bible, I googled and found a unique plan: Bible reading by genre (category). Oh the English teacher in me did two skips and clicked my heels together when I saw this chart! You can download it here.

I’m not sure what you believe, but to me, the Bible is the best written piece of literature – it has story, poetry, laws, letters… The plot of the Bible is closely, and intricately, wound around the character of Christ. Rich in vocabulary (I read only the King James Version), literary devices, and varied in sentence structure, the Bible can also be a resource for grammatical and writing instruction. (Pick up the book Words of Delight to get in depth treatment of all the literary devices you can find).

Advantages to reading the Bible by genre:

Because I read a different book each day, my reading stays fresh. If one day is a difficult passage from Numbers,the next day might be a more meditative reading in Psalms. Knowing my reading will have variety daily keeps me focused and motivated to keep going day after day with my reading plan!

At first, it might seem disjointing to read SEVEN different books in a week. (Personally, I do this all the time with novels, so it doesn’t bother me). But I found I made stronger connections between books of the Bible. If I read in Genesis about God’s promises to Abraham, and a few days later, I read in the gospels about Abraham, I would consider how the two passages were connected. This would’ve never happened in the regular reading schedule, because I would’ve read Genesis in January, but not gotten to the Gospels until September. By then the ideas and connections would’ve been too far apart for me to take note.

This is the second year I am doing Bible Genre reading (actually, I started halfway through last year). I encourage you to give it a try – it’s something different, and you may enjoy it as much as I do!

Bible Study Helps and Gifts

Do you have a favorite Bible? If you’re looking to set up a Bible study area or gift a friend some Bible study materials, here’s a list of ideas – everything from pretty Bibles to study guides, and note-taking helpers!

KJV Deluxe Gift & Award Bible (DiCarta Pink) (King James Bible)KJV, Deluxe Gift Bible, Imitation Leather, Blue, Red Letter Edition, Comfort PrintHoly Bible: KJV Pocket Edition: TurquoiseA Woman’s Guide to Reading the Bible in a Year: A Life-Changing Journey Into the Heart of GodMy Bible Study Journal: A Creative Christian Workbook: A Simple Guide To Journaling ScriptureThe Women’s Devotional Guide to Bible: A One-Year Plan for Studying, Praying, and Responding to God’s WordAccu-Gel Bible Highlighter Study Kit (Pack of 6)iStudy Bible KitHoly Bible Study Sticky Notes

Do you have a regular reading schedule (of any kind of book)? How do you keep your daily devotions fresh?

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