Read the Bible in 2026

As we move into the early weeks of 2026, many people are asking the same honest question:

“How do I stay consistent in God’s Word this year?”

For some, reading through the Bible feels life-giving. For others, it feels overwhelming. The good news is this: there is no single “right” way to read the Bible. What matters most is not how much you read, but that you are regularly placing yourself under God’s Word with a humble and teachable heart.

Below are several simple, sustainable Bible reading approaches you can choose from this year. Pick the one that best fits your season of life, your spiritual goals, and your current rhythms.

1. Read Through the Whole Bible in One Year

If your goal is to see the full storyline of Scripture, a one-year plan can be a rich and rewarding discipline.

Best for:
Those who enjoy structure and want a comprehensive view of God’s redemptive plan.

How it works:
Most plans include daily readings from both the Old and New Testaments, sometimes with Psalms or Proverbs mixed in.

Encouragement:
If you miss a day, do not quit. Grace, not guilt, sustains long-term growth.

https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:US:ccc334a4-e8af-461b-b667-edb93bd105cc

2. Chronological Bible Reading

Rather than reading the Bible book by book, this approach follows the historical flow of redemptive history.

Best for:
Readers who want to better understand how the events of Scripture unfold in time.

Why it helps:
Seeing Job alongside early Genesis or Psalms alongside David’s life brings Scripture to life in powerful ways.

https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:US:4deb156e-3372-4ff6-b3f0-f5a513a5b6e1

3. A Five-Day Reading Plan (Built-In Grace)

Some weeks are full. This plan reads Scripture five days a week, leaving weekends open for rest, reflection, or catching up.

Best for:
Busy schedules, young families, or those rebuilding consistency after falling off in the past.

Key benefit:
You can stay faithful without feeling constantly behind.

https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:US:4f32e7a7-f5ad-4397-a744-22cd4f20ae20

4. Focus on the New Testament

If reading the entire Bible feels daunting right now, that does not mean you should stop reading altogether.

Best for:
New believers, returning readers, or those wanting to focus on Christ, the Gospel, and the early church.

Options include:

• One chapter a day
• Five days a week
• Six-month or one-year pace

Faithfulness over time matters more than speed.

https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:US:ec8ab72b-8bd4-4ea5-ba9e-4a07b1f5541d

5. Psalms and Wisdom Reading

Some seasons call for prayer, reflection, and emotional honesty more than volume.

Best for:
Those walking through stress, grief, anxiety, or major life transitions.

Approach:

• One Psalm per day
• Proverbs a few times per week
• Slow meditation rather than large portions

God often meets us deeply when we slow down.

https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:US:52992c19-a4a9-4b02-89ee-5c7d795fbe89

6. Read One Book at a Time

Instead of jumping around, this approach invites you to sit in one book of the Bible until it shapes your thinking and living.

Best for:
Those who want depth, clarity, and stronger understanding of context.

Helpful question to ask as you read:
What does this passage teach me about God, about myself, and about how to live by faith?

https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:US:8fa04f9b-bca7-43c3-bcce-caf92498ecd5

7. Bible Reading Plan Generator

If none of the plans above fit your current season, this tool allows you to create a Bible reading plan that matches your life. You can choose your start date, pace, days of the week, and whether you want to read from the Old Testament, New Testament, or both. This option is especially helpful if you are starting late, prefer a slower or faster rhythm, or need a plan that adapts to changing schedules. The goal is not to keep up with a plan, but to remain faithfully engaged with God’s Word over time.

Duration: You decide
Online: Bible Reading Plan Generator
https://biblereadingplangenerator.com/?start=2026-01-01&total=365&format=calendar&order=traditional&daysofweek=1,2,3,4,5,6,7&books=OT,NT&lang=en&logic=words&checkbox=1&colors=0&dailypsalm=0&dailyproverb=0&otntoverlap=0&reverse=0&stats=0&dailystats=0&nodates=0&includeurls=0&urlsite=biblegateway&urlversion=NIV

8. Make Use of Bible Reading Tools

Sometimes structure and visual progress make consistency easier.

You may find it helpful to use:

• Printable reading charts
• Bible apps like YouVersion
• Checklists or trackers that encourage daily engagement

These tools are not about pressure. They are about support.

Want More Options?

If you would like access to a wide variety of Bible reading plans, including one-year, multi-year, topical, and chronological options, I recommend this helpful resource from Ligonier Ministries:

https://www.ligonier.org/posts/bible-reading-plans

It is an excellent place to explore additional structures and formats.

A Final Encouragement

The goal of reading the Bible is not simply to finish a plan, but to be formed by the Word.

Some days will feel rich and clear. Other days will feel dry or confusing. Stay faithful anyway. God uses steady exposure to His Word to reshape our hearts, renew our minds, and anchor our lives in truth.

Choose a plan that fits your season. Start where you are. And remember, the same God who gave us His Word also gives us grace to walk in it.

A Gentle Next Step

As you begin (or restart) your Bible reading this year, take a few minutes each week to journal:

• What stood out to me?
• What does this reveal about God?
• How is the Gospel shaping my response today?

And if you are looking for ongoing biblical guidance for emotional, relational, or spiritual growth, I invite you to explore the resources and coaching https://community.jameslongjr.org/getting-started.

Faithful steps, taken consistently, lead to lasting transformation.