Scripture Reading Plan: 7 Options for Every Schedule

A scripture reading plan transforms good intentions into actual pages read. Whether you have five minutes before the kids wake up or an hour during your commute, there's a plan designed for your life—not someone else's.

The key to finishing isn't finding more time. It's finding the right plan for the time you already have.

This guide walks through seven scripture reading plan options, from ultra-quick daily readings to comprehensive year-long journeys. You'll learn what each plan involves, who it works best for, and how to actually stick with it.

Why Your Schedule Determines Your Success

Most people abandon scripture reading plans within the first month. Not because they lack motivation—but because the plan doesn't fit their life.

A new parent with a colicky baby shouldn't attempt the same plan as a retiree with unstructured mornings. A college student cramming for finals needs something different than a pastor preparing sermons.

The best plan is the one you'll actually complete.

Here's how to match your available time to the right scripture reading plan:

Let's explore each option in detail.

1. The 5-Minute Plan (New Testament Only)

Time commitment: 5 minutes per day, 5 days per week

Duration: Read the New Testament in one year

Best for: Beginners, busy parents, those building a new habit

If twenty minutes daily sounds overwhelming, start here. The Navigators' 5x5x5 plan takes you through the entire New Testament in just five minutes of reading, five days per week.

What you'll read each day:

• Approximately 1-2 chapters from the New Testament
• Two "catch-up" days built into each week

Why it works:

Five minutes is small enough that you can't reasonably skip it. Waiting for coffee to brew? That's enough time. Sitting in a parking lot before an appointment? Perfect.

This plan builds the habit of daily scripture reading without the pressure of lengthy assignments. Once the habit is established, you can graduate to a full Bible plan.

The catch:

You won't read the Old Testament. For many new readers, that's actually fine—the New Testament provides the foundation of Christian faith and is more immediately accessible than Leviticus or Ezekiel.

Pro tip: Use those two "off" days to journal about what you read during the week rather than racing ahead.

2. The 15-Minute Scripture Reading Plan (Full Bible)

Time commitment: 15-20 minutes per day

Duration: Full Bible in one year

Best for: Regular readers, morning routine builders, anyone seeking balanced coverage

This is the sweet spot for most readers. Fifteen to twenty minutes daily gets you through the entire Bible in a year while leaving room to actually think about what you read.

Our free 365-day reading plan follows this model, dividing each day into:

• 2-3 Old Testament chapters — Moving through history, poetry, and prophecy
• 1 New Testament chapter — The life of Jesus and early church
• 1 Psalm — Daily worship and reflection
• 1 chapter of Proverbs — Practical wisdom (cycling monthly)

Why it works:

The variety prevents burnout. You're never stuck in genealogies or difficult prophetic passages for weeks. Each day brings fresh perspectives from different parts of scripture.

At average reading speed (200 words per minute), this takes about 15-20 minutes. That's one less Netflix episode, one earlier alarm, or one shorter social media scroll.

Who should avoid this:

If you're already struggling to find 10 minutes, don't set yourself up for failure. Start with the 5-minute plan and build up.

View the full reading schedule →

3. The 30-Minute Deep Dive Plan

Time commitment: 30-45 minutes per day

Duration: Full Bible in one year with study time

Best for: Serious students, small group leaders, those wanting depth over speed

Some readers don't just want to get through the Bible—they want to understand it. The 30-minute plan adds margin for study notes, cross-references, and journaling.

Structure options:

Option A: M'Cheyne's Classic Plan

• Four daily readings from different sections
• New Testament and Psalms covered twice per year
• Old Testament covered once
• Heavy on variety, dense on content

Option B: Read + Study Hybrid

• 15 minutes of reading (standard plan)
• 15 minutes of note-taking, highlighting, or journaling
• Same reading volume, more depth

Why it works:

Scripture benefits from slow digestion. Reading a chapter and then writing three observations forces you to engage rather than skim.

The M'Cheyne plan, created by a 19th-century Scottish pastor, has stood the test of time because its four-passage structure creates constant connections between Old and New Testaments.

Who should avoid this:

Anyone who will feel guilty about not completing the full assignment. If you know you'll beat yourself up for only reading half, choose a shorter plan you can actually finish.

4. The Weekend Warrior Plan

Time commitment: 1-2 hours on Saturday and/or Sunday

Duration: Full Bible in 2 years

Best for: Demanding work schedules, parents of young kids, seasonal busy periods

Weekdays are chaos. You know this. Instead of pretending otherwise, the weekend warrior plan concentrates reading time into Saturday and Sunday.

Sample structure:

• Saturday: Old Testament reading (45-60 minutes)
• Sunday: New Testament + Psalms (30-45 minutes)

Over two years, you'll complete the entire Bible while giving yourself grace during the week.

Why it works:

Consistency beats intensity. Five days of missed readings create guilt spirals that derail the entire plan. Two dedicated weekend sessions are actually achievable.

This plan also pairs well with Sunday church attendance—read before service and arrive already thinking about scripture.

The trade-off:

You lose daily momentum. The habit-building power of daily reading is significant. Consider this plan a temporary measure during genuinely overwhelming seasons, not a permanent default.

5. The Topical Scripture Reading Plan

Time commitment: Variable (typically 10-20 minutes)

Duration: Self-paced, typically 30-90 days per topic

Best for: Issue-specific study, new believers with questions, supplementing a main plan

Sometimes you need answers about a specific topic: anxiety, marriage, parenting, forgiveness, money. A topical plan gathers relevant passages rather than following book order.

Popular topical categories:

• Spiritual growth: Verses on faith, prayer, and discipleship
• Emotional health: Passages addressing anxiety, depression, and peace
• Relationships: Scripture on marriage, parenting, and community
• Character: Readings on integrity, patience, and humility
• Life stages: Plans for students, new parents, or those grieving

Why it works:

Topical plans meet you where you are. If you're struggling with anxiety, reading about Israelite conquest patterns won't feel immediately relevant. But Philippians 4:6-7 might change your week.

The limitation:

Topical reading can cherry-pick verses out of context. Use these plans as supplements, not replacements, for cover-to-cover reading.

How to find topical plans:

Most Bible apps include topical reading options. YouVersion alone offers hundreds. Or create your own using a concordance to find passages on your chosen topic.

6. The Chronological Scripture Reading Plan

Time commitment: 15-25 minutes per day

Duration: Full Bible in one year

Best for: History lovers, context seekers, those who've read the Bible before

The Bible isn't arranged chronologically. Genesis comes first, but Job likely happened during Genesis. Psalms are scattered across centuries. The prophets wrote during events described in Kings and Chronicles.

A chronological plan rearranges everything into historical order.

What changes:

• Psalms appear alongside the events that inspired them
• Prophetic books slot into the kingdoms they addressed
• The Gospels interweave into a single narrative
• Paul's letters match his missionary journeys in Acts

Why it works:

Seeing scripture in historical context reveals connections you'd otherwise miss. When you read Isaiah's warnings immediately before reading about Jerusalem's fall, the prophecy hits differently.

For readers who've already completed the Bible in standard order, chronological reading feels like discovering a new book.

Who should avoid this:

First-time readers. The standard book order has value—you experience each author's complete work before moving on. Save chronological reading for your second or third time through.

Where to find it:

Many Bible apps offer chronological plans. Look for options from Bible Study Together or the One Year Chronological Bible format.

7. Our 365-Day Blended Plan

Time commitment: 15-20 minutes per day

Duration: Full Bible in one year

Best for: Anyone wanting balance, variety, and structure

We built BibleMate's reading plan specifically for people who've tried and failed with other approaches. Here's what makes it different:

Daily variety prevents burnout

Each day includes Old Testament, New Testament, Psalms, and Proverbs. You're never stuck in difficult passages for weeks.

Built-in grace for missed days

Miss a day? Just continue with the next reading. Miss a week? Jump to today's reading and keep going. Progress matters more than perfection.

No account required

Start reading immediately. Your progress saves automatically in your browser—no signup, no login, no friction.

Free printable calendar

Prefer paper? Download our printable reading schedule and check off days as you go.

Multiple translations

Read in whichever version connects with you: ESV, NIV, NLT, KJV, or our default NHEB.

Start Day 1 of the reading plan →

How to Choose Your Scripture Reading Plan

Still unsure? Answer these three questions:

1. How much time do you realistically have?

Be honest. Not aspirational—realistic. If you've never maintained a 20-minute daily habit, don't start with a 30-minute plan.

2. Have you read the Bible before?

First-timers should start with standard book order or New Testament only. Experienced readers might enjoy chronological or thematic approaches.

3. What season of life are you in?

New baby? Weekend warrior. Retiree? Deep dive. Busy professional? 15-minute blended plan. Match the plan to your reality.

Tips for Actually Finishing

Choosing the right plan is step one. Finishing is step two. Here's what works:

Attach it to an existing habit

Read scripture immediately after something you already do daily: morning coffee, lunch, brushing teeth at night. Habit stacking works.

Use the two-day rule

Miss one day? Fine. Miss two consecutive days? That's where habits die. Never miss twice in a row.

Track visibly

Print a calendar. Hang it where you'll see it. The simple act of checking boxes creates momentum.

Tell someone

Accountability transforms private intentions into public commitments. Find a friend reading the same plan.

Don't try to catch up

Fell behind? Don't attempt three days of reading in one sitting. You'll burn out. Just continue from today.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the best scripture reading plan for beginners?

Start with the 5-minute New Testament plan. It builds the habit without overwhelming you. Once you've completed it, graduate to a full Bible plan.

How long does it take to read the entire Bible?

At average reading speed, the Bible takes about 70-80 hours total. Spread across a year (365 days), that's roughly 12-15 minutes daily.

Should I read the Old Testament or New Testament first?

For beginners, starting with the New Testament often makes sense—it's more immediately accessible and provides the foundation of Christian faith. But a blended plan that reads both simultaneously offers variety and context.

What if I don't understand what I'm reading?

Don't let confusion stop you. Mark difficult passages and return to them later with a study Bible or commentary. Understanding grows with repeated reading.

Can I do multiple scripture reading plans at once?

You can, but most people shouldn't. Better to complete one plan well than abandon three half-finished ones. Use topical plans as supplements, not replacements.

Start Your Scripture Reading Journey

The Bible contains 66 books, 1,189 chapters, and a story that changed human history. Reading all of it is achievable—with the right plan for your life.

Don't wait for perfect conditions. Don't wait for more time. Pick the plan that fits your current reality and start today.

Our recommendation for most readers: The 15-minute blended plan offers the best balance of coverage, variety, and achievability. It's free, requires no account, and you can start in the next sixty seconds.

Start Day 1 Now →

Looking for more help building a consistent habit? Check out our guides on how to start daily Bible reading and how to read the Bible.