2019 Bible Reading Plan - Bellator Christi

By: Brian G. Chilton | December 31, 2018

On this last day of 2018, we reflect on the year that has passed. 2018 has been an exciting year for my family and me. We moved to a new location and to a new church at Westfield Baptist Church. We are excited about the new friends we have met and the new ministry opportunities that God has presented. New Year’s Day not only provides time for reflection on the year that has passed, but it provides excitement to the possibilities in the year to come. Like many of you, I have set personal goals to get in more exercise and to eat healthier. Yet, the most important resolutions that can be set are spiritual. As part of your spiritual resolutions for 2019, I encourage you to set forth a Bible reading plan. I have come across five that look exceptionally good. Click the titles to be taken to the programs.

Chronological Bible Reading Plan

The Chronological Bible Reading plan is a one-year plan that takes a person through the Bible historically as each event transpired. For the history buffs, this may be a plan you will like. The only downside is that a person will not start reading the NT until October.

5x5x5 New Testament Reading Plan

Discipleship Journal produced a 5x5x5 one-year reading plan through the NT. The plan takes 5 minutes a day, over 5 days a week, and provides 5 ways to engage the text before taking two days for reflection. Then, the process begins afresh. This program is good for those who want to read through the NT and may be new to Bible reading programs. The plan is also good to help the person catch up if they forgot to read one day. The downside is that the program does not cover the OT.

Tabletalk Magazine Bible in a Year

Tabletalk Magazine produced a compelling one-year Bible reading program that chronologically covers the Bible while engaging both the OT and NT each day. The program is especially attractive in that it provides readings to be covered each weekend while not being overly stringent on which day the reading is to occur. The setup allows a person the opportunity to catch up on their readings should they fall behind. The daily readings are not overly complicated, either.

Discipleship Journal Bible Reading Plan

Discipleship Journal produced another Bible reading plan for those who may be a bit more experienced in yearly Bible readings. This plan covers the entire Bible over the course of a year. Like Tabletalk Magazine’s plan, I am highly considering using this plan. This plan has a daily reading from the OT, a reading from the Wisdom Literature (Psalms, Proverbs), a reading from the Gospels, and a reading from the NT. The readings are not overwhelming in scope. Each day holds a reading, unlike Tabletalk’s plan that allows for one to catch up in any readings they may have neglected in the week ahead, but the readings are not too lengthy. I have been accustomed to the daily readings in the Book of Common Prayer which follows a similar pattern to this reading plan.

5 Day Reading Plan

BibleClassMaterial.com published this program which, like the Tabletalk program, only requires five days a week to accomplish. For those who want a straight reading of Scripture as it appears in the Bible while also reading in the NT each day, this program may be for you. By the end of the year, the person using this program will have read from Genesis to Malachi and from Matthew to Revelation. The only downside to this program is that the readings can get long in sections. However, since the plan does not include weekends, a person can easily catch up on the plan’s off days. After reviewing the different plans, I have decided to personally use this one for my Bible readings in 2019.

Whichever plan is best for you, I think it is important to have some reading Bible reading program in place. If you should find yourself where you missed a few days, don’t be discouraged. Simply pick the program back up and continue. They say to eat an apple a day will keep the doctor away. Likewise, reading the Bible each day will keep the Devil at bay.

I hope each of you has a most wonderful and blessed 2019!!!

About the Author

Brian G. Chilton is the founder of BellatorChristi.com and is the host of The Bellator Christi Podcast. He received his Master of Divinity in Theology from Liberty University (with high distinction); his Bachelor of Science in Religious Studies and Philosophy from Gardner-Webb University (with honors); and received certification in Christian Apologetics from Biola University. Brian is currently enrolled in the Ph.D. program in Theology and Apologetics at Liberty University and is a member of the Evangelical Theological Society and the Evangelical Philosophical Society. Brian has been in the ministry for over 15 years and serves as the Senior Pastor of Westfield Baptist Church in northwestern North Carolina.