Tag Archives: Bible reading plan

2026 Bible Reading Plan

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I’ve been creating my own Bible Reading Plan for twelve years now. It must be the teacher in me—I get a kick out of giving myself assignments. I also don’t like being told by someone else what to read. (Must be the rebel in me.) I’ve kept track over the years of all the books of the Bible I’ve read (must be the perfectionist in me) and there are some glaring holes indicating books I have been avoiding for twelve years.

If I fail to plan, I can plan to fail. And sometimes I fail even when I do plan. But having a plan in place helps me get back on track. Eventually.

This year is going to be challenging. You are welcome to join me, if you dare.

I’m starting off with the Gospel of Mark because I need to begin the year with my eyes on Jesus.

In February, I’ll take a slow stroll through Colossians, one chapter a week in small bite-size portions Monday-Friday.

Here’s where it gets tricky. 1 & 2 Chronicles have never been my favorites. Especially the first nine chapters which contain lists of unpronounceable names. I’m sure there is treasure in there somewhere, but it will be a test of my patience. Close on the heels of Chronicles will be Ezra, Nehemiah and Esther. No dilly-dallying here — a quick run through the chapters.

In June and July I’ll slow down a bit and take my time reading the book of Hebrews.

August is usually the time of year when I falter, so I’m returning to my beloved Psalm 119. It will be like a visit with an old friend.

This fall, strap on your seatbelts if you’re still with me. Ezekiel is weird. And probably wonderful, but I wouldn’t know because this has been my #1 book to ignore. Not anymore! I’m diving in. After Ezekiel, I’ll stay on the weird and wonderful track by reading Revelation, then end 2026 with an Advent study to be determined.

Note: This is a “reading plan, ” not a “study plan.” The point is to stay engaged with God’s Word consistently. God gave us a book and He arranged every word in it. Those words are nutrition for our souls. As Moses said,

“These are not just idle words for you; they are your life.”
Deuteronomy 32:47

God bless the reading of the Word in 2026!

Two Ways to Give Thanks

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My inbox greeted me with two messages on this Thanksgiving morning.

I signed up for the NYT emails so I can play Wordle.
I get SpurgeonBooks emails so I can pray the Word.

Feast your eyes on two ways to give thanks today.

“Everything will be OK. Try to enjoy the day. You can do it.”
vs.
“Always thankful to our merciful God”

Take your pick.

“Give thanks as you move through the day.
And hug your people tight.” (NYT)
vs.
“We all have some cause for thankfulness,
therefore will we praise the Lord from the rising of the sun
unto the going down of the same.” (Spurg)

It helps to know Who to thank.

Also, you didn’t think we would finish the year without a plan, did you?

The 2025 Bible Reading Plan was left wide open for December. But never fear, we will finish strong in 2025 with an Advent Reading Plan. Also, fear not—most days are only a few verses. Grab yourself a cup of coffee in the wee hours of dark December mornings, light a candle, and join me for a moment of stillness and study of His Word. The same Word that became Flesh.

One Great Sentence

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Once, somebody wrote a whole novel using one long sentence. Since it’s written in Czechoslovakian I can’t confirm. However, that book inspired English author Jonathan Coe to pen a novel composed of one 13,955-word sentence spanning 416 pages. Impressive, right? Maybe not. My sixth grade English teacher would have been all over that with a red pen.

In my opinion, the best run-on sentence ever is found in Ephesians chapter one, where Paul expounds—in Greek—for twelve verses without a period. The English translation, thankfully, divvies up the passage into eight sentences.

Bible scholar E. Nordon called it “the most monstrous sentence conglomeration I have ever met in the Greek language.”

Eugene Peterson said, “Who can resist this marvelous, tumbling cataract of poetry?”

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Monstrous or marvelous? That depends on if you’re an English teacher or if you are a friend who enjoys listening to a loved one who is so excited about a topic that they just can’t stop talking and you can’t get a word in edgewise but it’s ok because you don’t really have anything to add so you simply nod your head and smile the whole time. <Gasp>

The Apostle Paul wasn’t writing a term paper to the Ephesians.
He was communicating such astounding truth
that he couldn’t stop to come up for air.

I’m taking a little bit at a time
so I don’t hyperventilate.

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“It is by grace you have been saved.” Ephesians 2:5

My Bible Reading Plan has me on a slow stroll through Ephesians during February and March. You’re invited to walk with me!

Peace Plan

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According to my Bible Reading Plan for 2024, a word study on “peace” is coming up next. For those who are slogging through Leviticus with me, hang in there! We’re almost done! For those who lost some traction in the chapters on mildew and bodily discharges, start fresh with us on July 1st!

This is year #3 in my study on the Fruit of the Spirit,
as found in Galatians 5:22.
Six years to go.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is
love, joy, peace,
patience, kindness, goodness,
faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.”
(Kinda glad self-control is at the end.)

Here’s my peace plan:

  • A short passage or verse for every day (Monday-Friday) during the month of July.
  • Write out the verse with the word “peace” in it, using an actual pencil on actual paper.
  • Re-write the verse in my own words.
  • Pray for peace—peace within, peace around me, peace in the world.
  • Extra credit for fellow Bible study nerds: go to blueletterbible.org to look up original language definitions. (You should try it—it’s so much fun.)

Click here or on the link at the top of the page for the passages.

2024 Bible Reading Plan

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Every year for the past 10 years, I have created my own Bible Reading Plan. There are lots of good ready-made plans available online that are perfectly fine. I just get a thrill out of making assignments for myself and anyone else who wants to come along!

The first half of the year is a true “reading” plan (not a “study” plan) with no deep dives into passages. This plan is set up for reading on Monday through Friday, with weekends for catch-up. The year begins with the gospel of Mark, and then a reading of the Old Testament book of Job.

I have been wanting to read through the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Bible, most of which Jewish boys in Jesus’ day had to memorize), so Genesis, Exodus and Leviticus will be next. I will be reading 10 chapters a week in a kind of “fly-over” to get the big picture. Numbers and Deuteronomy will be picked back up in the fall.

Past years have taught me to ease up a bit in the summer, so in July I will be doing a word study on peace (the third Fruit of the Spirit as listed in Galatians 5:22-23) and August will bring a look at the 12 Psalms written by Aseph (one of the Psalm writers). The year will wrap up with a reading of John’s letters (1 , 2, 3 John — not the Gospel of John).

May God bless the reading of His Word!

2023 Bible Reading Plan

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If I fail to plan, I can plan to fail. Hence, I like to create a roadmap to help me stay on a good path in the year ahead.

After spending last year in a long, leisurely stroll through the Psalms, I’m anxious to get back into some New Testament books. I’ve made a tentative plan for 2023, but will stay open to the Spirit’s leading in the months to come.

This year I’m going for a good mix of Old and New Testament, some gospel words of Jesus, a little history and several weeks focusing on the word joy. There’s enough variety to keep it interesting and several places to start fresh if I run off the rails. The year will start with a slow walk through James and end with a faster jaunt through 1 and 2 Samuel. In September, I’ll start looking for an Advent study to close off 2023. Sounds like fun! You’re welcome to join me!

It looks something like this:

January 2 – April 7: James, studying 6-12 verses per week
April 9 – June 30: “Joy” word study
July 3 – September 8: Parables in Matthew
September 11 – November 24: 1 and 2 Samuel, reading 5 chapters per week
November 26 – December 31: Advent study, TBD

(To see past years’ plans, click on 2023 Bible Reading Plan on the top menu and scroll down.)

2017 Bible Reading Plan

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open-bible

Sometimes I wish God would rip open the heavens and speak actual words I can actually hear. Preferably in English since I don’t know Greek or Hebrew or Aramaic. And not in King’s English, please, with the thees and thous and shalts and arts. Just normal midwest plain talk.

I should stop wishing, because every time I tear open my Bible, He speaks. Thousands of words on the pages of scripture are waiting for me to perk up my ears and pay attention. Real conversation with the God of the universe can take place, with a little effort and dedication.

So let’s get to it, shall we? Here’s the new reading plan that will take us through 2017. It’s a little different than in years past and may not appeal to everyone, but it’s a place to start. I plan to post a reflection at the end of each week that goes along with the passage we’ve been digging into on Monday – Friday.

Click on “2017 Bible Reading Plan” at the top of the page for more information. Let me know if you’re in!

(Nice little bookmarks with the 2017 Reading Plan are available in the church narthex. Or I’d be happy to send you one! Email me at dinah.overlien@gmail.com)

2016

2016 Bible Reading Plan

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bible readingYou are cordially invited to join me in reading the Bible in 2016!  I’ve created a little plan to help me stay on track and I am happy to offer it to you. This one is doable – reading a chapter or two every Monday through Friday, with weekends for catching up. Each month there is a new focus so if you crash and burn, you can start fresh at the start of the next month. There is a variety here from both Old and New Testament — history, prophecy, gospels, epistles and poetry. It’s all good.  Very good.

As Charles Spurgeon said, “A Bible that’s falling apart usually belongs to someone who isn’t.” So let’s wear out our Good Books this year.

Each month, a new set of readings will be available here – just click on “2016 Bible Reading Plan” at the top of the page.  I’d love to know if I’m flying solo or if you’re traveling along. Leave a comment or email me at dinah.overlien@gmail.com and say, “I’m in.”