Why Reading The Bible In A Year Can Change Your Life

Reflections on reading the Bible in a year and why I am doing it this year

Jan 03, 2024

girl reading book — Photo by Joel Muniz on Unsplash

Over the years, I have spent different years reading the Bible over the entire year. I have only completed this challenge three times.

However, those years were some of the best in my life.

It was as if reading the Word of God transformed my perspective and ability to grow closer to God, experience Jesus, and walk in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Not only that, but I saw the world so differently that I couldn’t help but find solutions to problems, people to connect with, and blessings in obedience.

Reading the Bible in 2024

“2024 is the year of second chances.” - Kris Vallotton, It’s Halftime

I recently heard in a sermon that 2024 is the year of second chances. And January is the month that will reset how we see things around us.

If this is the case, it only makes sense to me that this would be a good year to read the Bible throughout.

So, that is one of my goals for the year.

And today, I want to share a few benefits of reading the Bible in a year. And a few drawbacks, too. And then, I want to encourage you to join me in the journey to reading the Bible in a year.

3 Benefits of Reading the Bible in a Year

A year's Bible reading can have many spiritual and individual advantages. Here are three possible benefits:

Spiritual Growth and Understanding: Regular scripture reading can lead to a closer relationship with God. It offers introspection, prayer, and meditation, promoting spiritual development and a closer bond with God.
Discipline and Consistency: It takes discipline and consistency to read the Bible daily or regularly for a year. This practice can foster good habits beyond religious pursuits, fostering self-improvement and a sense of achievement.
Grow in Knowledge: A thorough comprehension of the biblical story, encompassing both the Old and New Testaments, can be achieved by reading the Bible cover to cover in a single year. This makes it possible for people to understand the main ideas and the background information.

These are just a few of the benefits of reading the Bible. Yet, some downsides can happen when you try to read the Bible in a year.

3 Drawbacks to Reading the Bible in a Year

Although reading the Bible through in a year can have many advantages, there may also be drawbacks to take into account:

Superficial Understanding: A cursory grasp of the Bible could result from trying to study it cover to cover in a short amount of time. Some people could put finishing the reading schedule ahead of actually understanding the content.
Burnout and Discouragement: A year-long Bible reading challenge can be daunting, especially for people with hectic schedules or those who have never read the Bible. Staying on a rigid schedule can result in shame, despair, or fatigue if you fall behind.
Neglecting Personal Study: Sometimes, the benefit of thorough personal study is overshadowed by the concentration on finishing an annual reading plan.

Reading the Bible from a balanced standpoint is critical, understanding that the objective is to engage with the material profoundly and individually rather than finish it.

Final Thoughts about Reading the Bible in a Year

Here is one of the ways you can read the Bible in a Year:

Download the YouVersion Bible app.
Sign up for the reading of the Bible in a year plan.
When you can’t sit and read the daily readings, listen to them instead.
Make some notes in a journal about what you read.
Pray through what you read.

These are super simple steps to reading the Bible in a year. And this is what I plan to do as the year goes on.

If something draws my attention more fully, I will stop and study it more deeply. And I will likely share more about it here or over on Medium!

Thanks for reading today, and I hope you have a great day!

J.R. Heimbigner is a #1 Bestselling Author on Amazon who writes about faith and writing books. He has self-published three bible study devotionals on Amazon. Check them out below:

P.S. There may be sales or affiliate links in this post. So, I might get a little kickback if you purchase anything. Thank you in advance!