3 Important Reasons to Have a Bible Reading Plan

As I was growing up and well into my adulthood, I had a plan. I had a plan for every aspect of my life. In high school, I would plan out my lessons (I was homeschooled). Then, when I went to college I had a plan for graduating, studying, and taking classes. Planning my life always seemed like a relief. Over the years I’ve discovered three essential reasons why we need to have a Bible reading plan. 

Maybe it was my way of controlling my life or attempting to control my life. So many of the aspects of my life I planned. My quiet time with God was well-planned. The classes and the times and amount of homework I planned out. I had a great plan and in so many ways God gave me many desires of my heart. 

Life rarely goes as planned.

Then in came children. Of course, I planned for the children, but children rarely go as planned. When they are little they interrupt not only our plan moving forward, but also the daily plans we might make for ourselves and them. 

Each day I would write a to-do list and by the time my head hit the pillow, I probably had checked off two or three of the ten things. Nothing went as planned, and when that happens so does every plan I made to have a quiet time with God. 

Of course, moms of little ones might laugh at the idea of “quiet” time with God when our children are little, but I was so disappointed in myself. In my mind, I kept saying, “Why can’t I get it together?” The plans I had made never came to fruition. My life was turned upside down by motherhood and getting back into a routine was hard. 

One day I realized that what I needed was not a checklist, but a plan. I needed to be able to wake up (even though I was super tired) and know exactly what I was studying and reading in the Bible. If you like a plan (or you don’t!), I still think having a Bible reading plan is vital! 

3 Reasons to Have a Bible Reading Plan. 

Let’s talk about why having a plan when you read the Bible can be so helpful. I’ve found that having a plan helps….

You know where to read in the Bible when you feel overwhelmed or tired.

Let’s admit this: life is hard. Reading our Bible is sometimes the first thing we let go of when something in our life suddenly happens. Whether it is grief, change, or just the daily mundaneness of life, we need a plan. We need to not have to stress or worry or wonder where to read the Bible. (Check out these 5 Tips for Reading the Bible When You’re Tired for extra help with this!)

You stay consistent with your reading.

One of the major hurdles when it comes to reading and studying the Bible is being consistent. If you have ever found yourself reading for a day, then skipping several days, only to try and get back on track come Monday morning, but then by Wednesday you are forgetting again – a Bible reading plan can help you stay on track. I especially love the ones with checkboxes. 

Check out 7 Ways to Stay Consistent in Bible Reading for more details on becoming more consistent and persistent in your study of Scripture.

You read different portions of the Bible you might have missed.

When we don’t have a plan we often just go back to where we are familiar. Although familiar verses are great to return to and meditate on, it is also important we read the whole counsel of God’s Word! All of it is beneficial, so keeping track and reading different portions is much easier with a plan. 

If you would like an easy, slow Bible reading plan that takes you through the whole Bible in three years, download it here. It is free!