If you’ve clicked on this, you’ve probably wanted (and perhaps even tried) to read the whole Bible before, but with limited success. If that is so, you are far from alone. Reportedly, only one in five people has ever completed the Bible at least once, although more than half (51%) have read a significant portion of it. 

Why does this happen?

Many people genuinely value Scripture and regard it as true, helpful, and life-changing. Nevertheless, a perceived lack of time (15%), a failure to prioritize Bible reading (24%), and feelings of intimidation (10%) are commonly cited barriers. You can find the research findings here. 

Added to this, there are those who object strongly to any form of “speed-reading” on the basis that reading the Bible on a fast-paced schedule undermines meditation, diminishes Scripture’s spiritual weight, weakens comprehension, and turns the sacred practice into a task rather than a chance to hear from God. While at first blush, these concerns seem understandable, they overlook something quite important.

Why a Time-Bound Plan Works

A time-bound reading plan is not a substitute for Bible study.

No-one is saying that if you speed-read, you can’t also carve out added time to study. Bible study and speed-reading can be complementary.

Also, as a matter of psychology, persons are more likely to complete the Bible if they decide to speed-read it. People simply push harder and stay more motivated when a clear finish line exists. This is tied to a principle known as the goal-gradient effect.

Moreover, speed-reading is likely to be effective because it will likely provide a healthy dopamine reinforcement each time an intended portion is complete. This in turn strengthens consistency and supports the long-term habit of Bible reading.

If we restrict ourselves to reading only when we have the time and capacity for in-depth study, we’re likely not to read or study. All-or-nothing thinking is a well-documented “weapon formed against” progress and momentum in many areas of life, like exercise. A time-bound reading plan rescues us from that trap by providing structure, building discipline, and allowing us to experience the many benefits of engaging with the whole counsel of Scripture.

Three Benefits of Reading the Whole Bible

The benefits of Bible reading as a whole are countless! I talk about it some more in my other story, You should read the ENTIRE Bible this Year | by Life As A Vapour | Medium. For now, here are three reasons to do it.

1. You grasp the full storyline of Scripture. The Bible tells one unified, breathtaking story centered on Jesus (God in the flesh, John 1:1). It begins with creation, moves through the fall, and unfolds God’s redemptive plan to restore humanity and all creation. Reading it in pieces makes it easy to miss how all the stories connect or relate to Jesus, even (unlikely) stories like David and Goliath.
2. You uncover surprising and transformative truths. There are gems in Scripture you will never encounter unless you read it all. My own experience with Ecclesiastes revealed this. I had no idea how blunt, honest, and realistic the Bible could be until I read it cover to cover. I had only encountered the flowery, promise-filled, motivational passages and stories. To be fair, these are the most preached on, and these are the most featured in devotionals. As such, it made sense why my piecemeal reading of the Bible didn’t lead me to Ecclesiastes. You, too, will uncover many missed passages as you journey through the Scripture.
3. You cultivate a hunger to go deeper. A full Bible reading reveals how much there is to learn and how great God truly is. It reminds you that God is infinite and His wisdom is unsearchable. You start noticing patterns, themes, and connections you missed before, and you encounter many questions you want the answers to. Essentially, you realize that you’ve only scratched the surface and organically develop a hunger for learning more. Precisely this happened to me. My first time reading the entire Bible was certainly not the last, and ever since I did it that one time, I’ve delved into many different topics of study. One of those topics is theodicy, the branch of theology that deals with the issue of evil in light of God’s existence. Bible reading led me to delve deeper and deeper into the notion of human suffering, which is an area that became very real to me when my dad died of cancer. Later, as I worked through my thoughts, I wrote Grieving while Christian, where I share the thoughts that kept me believing in the goodness of God despite this major loss. You can grab a copy here.

How to Read the Bible in a Year

Now that we understand the “why,” it’s time to discover the “how.”

I’ve hinted at it before. The best way to finish the Bible in a year is to aim to finish it in less time than that. I know it sounds extreme and counterintuitive, but there is a solid reason behind it.

When you follow a sixty-day or ninety-day Bible plan, you create momentum, and momentum is one of the most powerful drivers of discipline. A shorter plan sharpens focus and pushes your mind into “mission mode.” This keeps your brain engaged and elevates your motivation.

My Experience

When I tried the ninety- day plan, I built a strong daily rhythm quickly and frequently enjoyed that dopamine hit we spoke about earlier. Then, when I fell behind (and you will more than likely fall behind as well), I knew I could easily catch up and still finish within the year. This kept me motivated because no matter what, I had plenty of time to wrap up long before the 12 months lapsed. Guess what? That’s exactly what happened!

Final Thoughts

To aim to read the entire Bible is to aim to engage God’s Word in a way that widens your knowledge, deepens your hunger, and ultimately draws you closer to Him. If you get a structured, time-bound, fast-paced plan, you’ll likely do it in less than a year and be rearing to start again. The journey never ends with the final page. That’s when it actually begins!