Guest: Dr. Jim Wicker 

Professor of New Testament, Southwest Baptist Theological Seminary

Tips

Start small.

Use a simple plan for 1 month.

Read a chapter in Proverbs each day (31 chapters). It is easy to remember which one.

Read a chapter in Matthew each day (28 chapters). You will have 2-3 catch up days.

Read a chapter in Acts each day (28 chapters). You will have 2-3 catch up days.

Read 5 chapters of Psalms each day (150 chapters).

Do another simple plan the 2nd month & 3rd month.

     You might repeat Proverbs as a checkup to see if your life has changed any from the 1st month.

Set a specific daily time to do your reading.

      What is the best time for you?

Morning works well for many people.

Lunch time? Prior to bedtime?

If you miss one or several days, don’t get discouraged & quit. Either:

Pick up where you should be when you resume (my suggestion).

Catch up when you resume (my wife’s suggestion).

Read for inspiration, encouragement, knowledge, & wisdom.

Start with prayer.

Do not zip through the reading just to check off the box.

As you read, when a question comes up, jot it down to study later.

After you read a chapter, think through your personal application of it.

Spend time in prayer. Use a journal or list to keep track of your prayers & God’s answers.

Build in some accountability.

Have a sheet to check off the readings.

Use an app to click.

Use an accountability partner.

Do not use daily Bible reading to replace Bible study.

Online Plans (in chronological order) – Bible.org (5), Bible Study Tools (16), Bible Gateway (18), Blue Letter Bible (8), Olive Tree Bible

   Most descriptions of their plans are verbatim from their websites.

 Bible.org (NET Bible) (https://bible.org)

Choices: email

Translations: NET

Plans (5):

   Read The Bible in 90 Days - Read through the Bible in 90 days. This plan, made popular by another Bible translation publisher is now available in the NET Bible. The plan it self is 88 days long, with two grace days at the end. It repeats every 91 days so you can begin any time and be done in 90 days.

   Chronological Bible Reading - Read the Bible every day in the order events transpired.

NT, Psalms and Proverbs - Read through the NT, Psalms and Proverbs in a year.

Read Through the Bible - Read 2-3 chapters a day from Genesis to Revelation.

The Rev. R. M. M'Cheyne, Plan - The whole Bible will be read through in an orderly manner in the course of a year. - The OT once, the NT and Psalms twice

 Bible Study Tools (https://www.biblestudytools.com) (Salem Web Network)

Choices: website with free account

Translations:

Go to their website. At top, click on “Bible,” then “Reading Plans”

Plans (16):

71 Days in Isaiah - Carefully work your way through Isaiah in 71 days to experience the full impact of the prophet's words.

Read from Genesis 1 to Revelation 22 in the order in which the books of the Bible are arranged.

Chronological - Read the Bible in the order that the events happened.

Chronological NT - in 3 months you can read the NT in the order that the events happened.

Classic - Read 3 passages each day, starting with Genesis, Psalms, and Luke. From the original Bible Study Tools reading plan.

Daily Gospel - This plan focuses on the record of the life of Christ. Length: 45 days.

Daily Psalm - Read one Psalm per day for a spiritual boost (150 days)

Daily Wisdom - Find wisdom each day as you read straight through the Psalms, Proverbs, & Song of Solomon. Length: 60 days.

New Testament - Read straight through the New Testament in 90 days.

Ninety-Day Challenge - Read the Bible all the way through in only 90 days. It's a challenge well worth taking. Length: 90 days

Old Testament and New Testament - Read one passage from the Old Testament and one from the New Testament each day. Length: 365 days.

One-Year Immersion Plan - With this immersive plan, you'll read the Old Testament once and the New Testament three times each yea