Bible Reading Strategies

Q: I would like to read my Bible through in a year but am not sure how to do that. Should I just start in Genesis and go to Revelation? And which version is best?

A: This is a very common and important question. We need to spend time in God’s Word to grow in our relationship with Him and deepen our spiritual journey. It can help improve our earthly relationships, too!

Bible Reading Plans

It may seem logical to start at Genesis and read to the book of Revelation, and it is easy to find such a Bible reading plan online. When I first decided to read the Bible through, that is how I did it—but it’s not necessarily the best plan for everyone. Here are a few options to consider:

• Bible Genre Plan (choose whatever genre order is preferred). Pentateuch, Historical Books, Wisdom and Poetry, Major Prophets, Minor Prophets, Gospels, Acts, Pauline Epistles, General Epistles, Revelation.

• Chronological Plan. Read the Bible in chronological order, using, for example, The One-Year Chronological Bible.

• Blended Reading Plan. Read portions each day of the Old Testament, the New Testament, and the Psalms. For example, read Genesis 1:1-2:3, Matthew 1, and Psalm 1. The next day, read the rest of Genesis 2, Matthew 2, Psalm 2, etc.

• Reverse Reading Plan. Start with the New Testament and then turn to the Old Testament. Some people even enjoy reading the entire Bible in reverse order: Revelation, Jude, 1-3 John, 1-2 Peter, etc.

Whichever plan you choose, the goal is consistency and deepening one’s spiritual life, not speed. As you begin, take a moment to pray for insight and transformation, asking God to reveal what message He has for you today. Sabbath afternoons offer time to reflect on your reading and cross-reference passages with the writings of Ellen G. White, especially The Conflict of the Ages Series or The Story of Redemption, which parallel the Bible narrative.

The goal is consistency and deepening one’s spiritual life.

Choosing a Bible Version

While no single Bible version is best for everyone, here are some guidelines that may be helpful in choosing the version best for you:

• Accuracy: Some translations aim at word-for-word consistency. These versions are best for careful study and understanding Bible doctrines. Examples include the King James Version and New King James Version, the New American Standard Bible, and the English Standard Version.

• Readability: Other translations aim at clarity, providing a functional (but not strictly literal) translation or a thought-by-thoughtrendering of the text. These are helpful for devotional or public Bible reading. Of course, translators are human and may not accurately convey the meaning of the text in every case. Examples of functional translations include the Christian Standard Bible and New Revised Standard Version. Thought renderings include the New International Version, International Children’s Bible, and New Living Translation.

• Paraphrases: Some Bible versions prioritize sensitivity to the message’s reception by readers, presenting it in a more modern vernacular without being chained to the original languages. Examples include Today’s English Version, The Living Bible, The Clear Word, and The Message.

Comparing different translations of a given verse is a helpful way to discover the various ways a passage can be understood even without knowing the original languages.

Finally, if you accidentally miss a day or two or find it hard to keep up with your original plan, don’t give up. Just resume where you left off. May your journey through God’s Word this year draw you closer to Christ and deepen your anticipation of His soon return.