The One Year “Book Study” Bible Reading Plan
(You can download this file in the blogroll list on the right)
What Is It?
There are many ways to study the Bible. One method is to cover as much ground as possible. This would be like walking a trail that is 1189 miles long (the number of chapters in the entire Bible). The advantage of this method of Bible reading is that you get to see the whole trail, appreciating the varying terrain, knowing where the trail begins, and where it ends. Also, you probably won’t get bored as the scenery changes frequently.
Another way to read the Bible is to focus on one book for an extended period of time. With this method, you travel the same section of trail (maybe 10-20 miles) over and over again. You begin to notice things as you walk by them every week. Eventually, you begin to know instinctively where the trail leads as it feels more familiar with every walk.
Studying the same book throughout the course of a year has tremendous benefits. You will discover things that you never knew lay beneath the words of the text itself. As you repeatedly read, you’ll become incredibly familiar with the author, the audience, the text, and the message of the book. Passages will come to your mind naturally and it will become ingrained into your thinking.
What’s The Method?
The One Year Book Study approaches Bible study and reading from a number of angles and perspectives. The idea is to read and study through a book (or natural grouping of books) throughout the course of a single year, but changing the purpose each month. Whether a different translation, a different purpose, or even a different medium (listening as opposed to reading), you’ll see how the Holy Spirit works to bring the message of the Bible to you in fresh ways.
Below is a list of resources that you can use throughout the year. One invaluable tool is a notebook to record the things that you’ve learned. As you go through the year, be sure to keep track of your questions, insights, thoughts, and discoveries. You’ll be amazed at how much you’ve learned when you go back and read previous entries.
One of the best ways to study a book of the Bible is to read it through in one session. That may not be practical for long books, but for shorter books it is incredibly helpful in understanding the message of the author.
Also, take this outline as a suggestion. If you think of something to add in your study, do it! Take six months or 18 months as opposed to a year. Make the path you travel your own path.
What Resources Will I Need?
- A literal translation of the Bible (King James, New American Standard, English Standard, Revised Standard, Holman Christian Standard)
- A dynamic equivalent translation of the Bible (New International Version, New Living Translation, New English Bible, New Century Version)
- A paraphrase of the Bible (The Message, The Living Bible)
- Two study Bibles (ESV Study Bible, NIV Study Bible, Literary Study Bible, Quest Study Bible, Archaeological Study Bible, etc.)
- An audio version of the Bible
- An empty notebook and a good pen
Looking for some of these resources for free? Try the following…
-
Your church library
-
Your local public library
How to Choose a Book
Obviously, with this method of Bible reading, repetition is the key. Some months you may want to read the book through more than one time. For very short books, you may want to group several of them together into logical sections.
Need some suggestions of book groupings? Try these…
-
Paul’s Letters from Prison (Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, Philemon)
-
Paul’s Letters to Young Ministers (1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Titus)
-
John’s Letters (1, 2, 3 John)
-
Women of the Old Testament (Ruth, Esther)
-
General Letters (James, 1 & 2 Peter, Jude)
-
Return from Captivity (Ezra & Nehemiah)
-
Prophecies to Nineveh (Jonah & Nahum)
Don’t Go It Alone
One of the greatest ways to study the Bible is in community with others. Ask two or three others to go through the study with you and get together once a month to share what you’ve learned. You’ll be surprised what you missed that others picked up. A sponge can only take so much in before it needs to release, so find an outlet for sharing what you’ve learned so you can take more in.
Suggested Schedule
January
Read through the book to find background information about the author, audience, and purpose of the book. Approach this month as an investigator looking for the motive of the book. You may need to read through several times to pick up on all the details.
February
Read through the book in a study Bible. This may include an introduction to the book, which will expand your discoveries of the previous month. Be sure to read any explanatory foot notes as well as the study notes in the text itself.
March
Read through the book in a literal translation. If you used a literal translation for your January reading, you may find it interesting to try a different one. A literal translation will stay as close to the form of the original language as possible. Remember to keep notes of what you discover.
April
Read through to find things you should know and remember. Primarily, your goal this month is to look for pieces of knowledge that are essential for a Christian to know. You’ll definitely want to write these down. Also, you might want to make a list of verses that would be good to memorize.
May
Read through to find connections with other Bible books. If you’re reading an OT book, where is your book quoted in the NT? If you’re reading a NT, are there any references to the OT? Once you find these connections, read the other end of the connection. You can find these connections in your foot notes, references, or in your study Bible.
June
Listen to the book on tape or CD. Some of the books of the Bible were originally meant to be listened to rather than read. You will pick up things that you’ve never noticed before. Make sure to take notes!
July
Read through the book in a dynamic translation. The point of these translations is to convey the thoughts of the author and meaning of the text rather than give a literal word for word translation. If you’ve been using a dynamic translation already, try using a different one.
August
Read through the book to find attitudes you should hold. By this time you should be very familiar with the book. It’s time to start thinking about how you need to apply the truth in it. Look for attitudes that are essential for the Christian. And, you guessed it, take notes!
September
Read through the book to find the connection to Jesus. If you’re reading an OT book, how does it prepare the way for Jesus? If you’re reading a gospel, what kind of picture does it paint of Jesus? If you’re reading a NT book, what references about Jesus are in the book?
October
Read through the book with a different study Bible. Just like before, read all the information about your book and write down what you think is important.
November
Read through the book in a paraphrase. The purpose of this type of translation is to really bring the message of the book into modern language. You may be surprised at some of the phrases and words used. Note how it may change your ideas about how the original audience may have understood the text.
December
To finish out your year of study, read through the book to find specific actions that you need to change or add to your life. Also, you may want to write down your thoughts about the whole year of study. Perhaps you will want to read over the notes that you’ve taken during the year. How should studying this book change your life? How has it changed your life?
Could you upload the original PDF file and create a link on this post so people could download and print it out?
Good idea. Just finished it.