No-Guilt Bible Reading Plans for Any Year

Happy New Year!!! It's a bit late for this salutation. But I guess the old adage has some truth to it: "Better late than never", which is almost what my posting on In awe of Your grace has come to. Since my surgery and very long recovery, then with my mother's unexpected death and the holidays, it seems I just haven't been able to get back into the grove. For that, I apologize.

Anyway, since this is the first post of the new year, I would like to plug you into some options for Bible reading plans. I find that if I do not follow some kind of plan, I end up being without direction and motivation. Click here to access a link that will provide you with many choices.

Most of these are plans for reading through the entire Bible in a year. I really like the one that's called Read Through the Bible Program for Shirkers and Slackers. It assigns no specific dates for reading, just what to read on the days of the week (Sunday through Saturday). So if you miss a day, just pick up where you left off. There will be no catching up to do. It will most likely take you more than a year to read, but that's really okay. Where in the Bible does it tell us to read through the book every year, covering it entirely in one year? There's no guilt-trip if you miss one reading or more on this plan. (Note: If you want to print this plan, you will need to set your page options for your printer on "landscape" instead of "portrait".) (Another Note: Check out the other plans you find at this link as well. You may find one you like better than the one I've suggested.) 

The other plan I like is called The Discipleship Journal Bible Reading Plan. It gets you into different parts of the Bible every day. But the thing I really like about it is that you only read for 25 days out of the month, which leaves five or six days to do catch up readings for the days you missed. That's a great feature! This is the one I will follow for this year.

But overall, whatever reading plan you follow, it is important not to put yourself on a guilt-trip if you miss days. That's exactly what I've done in the past and I've always become discouraged and given up. Relax your goal of making it through the Bible in a year. So what if it takes two years or even three? The important thing is to continue reading and to take delight in God's Word. Take up where you left off and meet with the Savior through His Word.

It may be that God uses just one verse to really hit home with you. Many times that is the way it's been for me. God can reach us with just one verse! That verse can continue to carry you throughout the day, stunning you with His glory and compassion, holiness, etc. I love it when that happens. But because I focused on just that one verse, the rest of the assigned reading for that day went by the wayside. Instead of being bummed out about it, I have resolved just pick up where I left off and continue on!

"...His (her) delight is in the law of the Lord and in His law he (she) meditates day and night." (Psalms 1:2)

So here is to a joyful time in God's word throughout the year. Be delighted! Be encouraged!



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Sharon Kaufman

Jesus Christ has been my Savior since 1975. Robert, the wonderful man that God provided to love me has been my husband for 48 of those years. We have five grown children, with children of their own. Of course, that means that we have grandchildren - ten to be exact, and nine great-grandchildren with another one on the way. I have been a stay-at-home mom, sometimes helping to supplement the income from within the home. Now I am a stay-at-home grandmother. Jesus Christ has been my guide and keeper and I have found, in all the trials, heartbreaks and good times that He just keeps getting sweeter and sweeter as the years roll by. My future is secure and I look forward to eternity in the presence of my Creator, Redeemer and King.