The One-Year Bible (and an App)

I should have written this and posted it earlier. But I suppose on time is better than never.

There is a great resource for reading the Bible in a year called the One Year Bible. It is a Bible divided up into 365 parts, divided by date, beginning on January 1. There is an Old Testament reading, a New Testament, a Psalm (the Psalter is read through twice in a year), and a very short reading from Proverbs. It is convenient format that doesn’t require consulting a chart and using a bookmark. The OYB comes in several versions - including the ESV. The readings take between 15 and 20 minutes per day.

If you want to tack on the Apocrypha, the OYB comes in a “Catholic Edition” and includes a fifth reading from the deuterocanon.

If you want to listen to a narration at the same time (or instead of reading), there is a really easy hack to do so (at least for the ESV).

If you download YouVersion’s Bible app (it looks like a red book with “HOLY BIBLE” on it, with a stylized red bookmark), it has the OYB reading plan set up for you to read on your device, and includes a narrated reading that tracks along with the text.

If you want to do this, there is a bit of a set-up that you have to do.

Download and install the app. Then locate “Plans.” You won’t see One Year Bible listed for some unknown reason. The One Year Chronological Bible does show up here, but it is a one year reading in chronological, as opposed to canonical, order. But if you do a search for “One Year Bible” it will come up. And if you hit “start this plan,” it will move the plan to “my plans.” And if you start today, on January 1, you will track the same readings at the same time as the print edition of the OYB. Of course, you can really start any day of the year, and the app will track you through 365 readings in order.

There are other features. For example, you can set a reminder. The app will also let you know if you’re on track. If you fall behind and just want to restart at the current date, there is a “catch me up” button.

If you have never read the Bible cover to cover, this is a great way to do it. If you want to hear the narration spoken while you read the text in the original languages, that is also an option.

There are also blogs and YouTube channels devoted to discussing the OYB readings. Of course, there’s no guarantee that such discussions are going to be doctrinally correct. The important thing is to take up the Scriptures and make them a part of your life, day to day, year to year. The establishment of the habit is the most important thing. This may be an option that will work for you.

Happy New Year, and blessings for the Year of our Lord 2025!