Reading the Bible in a year means reading 3 to 4 chapters a day — about 12 minutes of daily Bible reading. The Bible has 66 books and 1,189 chapters: spread over 365 days, the challenge is far more approachable than it looks. Here's which Bible reading plan to follow, what order to read in, and how to make it all the way through.
A one-year Bible reading plan that works
Rather than improvising, the simplest path is a proven schedule. Biblione is built on the official Bible Reading schedule (reference sbr) published on jw.org in 2009: it splits the 1,189 chapters into balanced daily portions, grouped into 10 thematic sections covering the Hebrew and Greek Scriptures.
Each day, the plan gives you a precise portion — say, “Genesis 16 – 18”. You read, you check it off, and tomorrow's portion is waiting. In one year you've read it all, without ever wondering “where was I?”.
Canonical, chronological, or thematic: which reading order?
There are three main approaches, all of them valid:
- Canonical order: from Genesis to Revelation, book after book. Simple, but some readers stall in the long prophetic sections.
- A chronological Bible reading plan: events in their historical order. Illuminating for context, but harder to follow on your own.
- Thematic order: the official sbr schedule's approach, with 10 sections arranged by theme and era — which is why Job sits alongside the writings of Moses. A good balance of variety and coherence.
For a beginner, the best order is the one you'll stick with for 365 days. Consistency beats the perfect sequence.
Your daily Bible reading schedule
It all depends on the pace you pick. As a guide:
| Pace | Reading time | Chapters per day |
|---|---|---|
| Bible in 1 year | ≈ 12 min / day | 3 to 4 |
| Bible in 2 years | ≈ 6 min / day | 1 to 2 |
| Custom pace | You choose | Whatever fits |
In Biblione you pick “1 year” or a custom reading plan, and the app calculates what to read each day. You can change pace at any time without losing your progress.
Five tips to stay consistent all year
- Anchor your reading to an existing habit. After morning coffee, on the train, before bed: a fixed time slots daily Bible reading into your routine.
- Turn on a daily reminder. A notification at a set time is often what saves a streak.
- Track your streak. Seeing “47 days in a row” is a powerful reason not to break the chain.
- A missed day is not a failure. Pick up the next day without cramming. A one-year plan absorbs a few late days easily.
- Alternate reading and listening. On busy days, the audio Bible in JW Library lets you keep moving while walking or driving.
Paper checklist, PDF, or a Bible reading tracker?
The reading schedule exists as a printable sheet (PDF) on jw.org — you cross off portions as you go. It works, but everything is manual: no reminders, no progress calculation, no sync between devices.
A Bible reading tracker does that work for you: chapters checked with a tap, live progress percentage, reading streak, reminders and iCloud sync. Biblione does it for free, with no ads, plus an “Open” button that takes you to today's portion in JW Library. See all the features.
Frequently asked questions
Can I start at any time of the year?
Yes. The plan isn't tied to the calendar: day 1 is whenever you start, and day 365 lands one year later, regardless of the date.
Do I have to read the Bible in order, from Genesis to Revelation?
No. Canonical order is one option, but the official sbr schedule follows a thematic order, and others prefer a chronological plan. Consistency matters more than order.
What if I miss a day?
Just pick up again the next day without trying to catch up all at once. Read one extra portion on days when you have more time.
Is the Bible reading plan free?
Yes. The official schedule is published for free on jw.org, and Biblione, which tracks it, is free with no ads and no in-app purchases.
Is there a printable Bible reading schedule (PDF)?
Yes, a printable version exists on jw.org. A tracker app replaces the paper sheet: chapters checked with a tap and progress calculated automatically.
Which plan is best for a beginner?
The same plan, at a gentler pace. If 12 minutes a day feels like too much, start with a custom pace and increase once the habit sticks.
Start your reading plan today.
Download Biblione for free: today's portion is waiting, and your progress tracks itself.