Read the Bible in a year

Join us as we read through The Bible together this year. We’ll be using a One Year Blended Chronological reading plan. With just a few chapters a day you can read through the entire Bible in one year, alternating between Old and New Testament readings.  These readings are compiled according to up-to-date historical research, taking into account the order in which the recorded events actually occurred. It will help you to add valuable historical context to your reading of The Bible.

Get the PDF version



Get the print version

We have printed versions of the plan available from the info desk on Sundays at Bedfordview, or your resident leaders at the other sites.

Go digital

This Bible reading plan is also available on these popular free apps for your mobile device:

The Bible App


OliveTree’s Bible Study App

Once you’ve installed the app on your mobile device simply search for “Chronological” in the reading plans.

You can use the apps to set a reminder for yourself and even listen to audio recordings of your daily readings.

Tips for finishing

1. Breathe. Don’t panic. You can do this. There’s no pressure. The plan means you only need to put aside a few minutes a day. If you don’t manage, don’t beat yourself up! Try and catch up when you have some more time.

2. Make use of the audio options on the digital versions. This way you can listen to the reading of the day in the car on the way to work. Reading is better (you are more engaged) but if you’re falling behind, use this option!

3. Don’t expect it to be amazing every time. Sometimes we think that if we didn’t ‘feel anything’ we didn’t really do anything. Reading the Bible is about a deep and slow transformation. It’s not always a time of unbelievable revelation. Every time we read God is speaking to us.

4. Find a place and time. Mornings might work better for you. Or perhaps a lunch break. Or perhaps in the evenings after the kids are put to bed. Home might be easier or the office might be easier. Even at the office or home, pick a regular spot – a specific chair or something along those lines. We are creatures of habit. Having a dedicated place and time helps to make it easier to get it done.

5. Journal. As you go through the Bible, take some time to jot down your thoughts. You’ll be amazed when you read back on these thoughts! Journalling helps to inspire us along the way.

Background info on the books of the Bible (updated as we progress through the reading plan)

Elders Update – A Bible Reading Plan

In this short 2 minute update, Josh talks about Alan and Meg…

The book of Revelation

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Revelation doesn't have to be scary or confusing. In fact, it's meant to encourage us deeply.

The book of 3 John

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The local church is to be a place of truth and openness, not sectarian or closed.

The book of 2 John

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The truth is to be protected by every person who makes up the ‘elect lady’ - us.

The book of 1 John

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1 John is a letter that brings assurance of salvation - if you read it right.

The book of 2 Peter

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Peter's farewell letter is full of exhortation to think differently about our lives today.

The book of 2 Timothy

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Paul's last letter, while basically waiting on death row, is full of emotion - and confidence that he has fought the good fight of faith.

The book of Hebrews

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Hebrews can be a very difficult letter, but it's good to follow it carefully and make sure we understand its warnings and promises properly.

The book of 1 Peter

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What a different Peter we hear from in this letter. The impulsive, restless, and sometimes cowardly, sometimes fearless Peter of the Gospels is now patient, loving and secure.

The book of Titus

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This letter to Titus reminds us that what we believe is supposed to work itself out in our behaviour.

The book of 1 Timothy

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This letter is a lesson on many things. We’ll find teaching on practical matters in the church but also for older members in the church working with younger believers who show a good conscience and sincere faith.

The book of Philippians

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A positive and loving letter.

The book of Ephesians

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This letter is almost split in two distinct halves, showing how we become believers and, once we are believers, how we are to live.

The book of Philemon

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There are a few different lenses with which to read this letter. Let's examine them.

The book of Colossians

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Jesus is all we need.

The book of Romans

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Anyone who reads Paul’s letter to the Christians in Rome will be better off for reading it.

The book of 2 Corinthians

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On what beliefs do you base your modus operandi?

The book of 1 Corinthians

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This thrilling letter has so many answers for contemporary problems.

The books of 1 & 2 Thessalonians

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1 Thessalonians is a wonderfully warm letter from Paul, but in 2 Thessalonians he has to be more to-the-point.

The book of Galatians

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Let Paul’s Galatians correct your compass and set you up for freedom. Not freedom to do as you please, but freedom to be all you were made to be for God.

The book of James

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James’ letter is one of action.

Important factors to consider when reading the Epistles

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The inspired epistles need their partner – context.

The book of Acts

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Acts is mainly descriptive, not prescriptive.

The Gospels

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An introduction to the Gospels.

The inter-testamental period

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A brief overview of the history we have covered so far will help to orientate you with the 'silent 400 years' between the Old and New Testaments.

The book of Malachi

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The Sun of righteousness will come with healing in his wings.

The book of Nehemiah

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The exile in Babylon had worked.

The book of Esther

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The story of a peasant Jewish woman marrying a non-Jewish King shows how God is in charge of all - if you read carefully.

The book of Zechariah

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The return of the exiles was a great victory and restoration but complete restoration still waits.

The book of Haggai

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The King from David's line is promised - Jesus.

The book of Ezra

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The purposes of God may sometimes be delayed but they are never abandoned.

The book of Daniel

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Second to Revelation, Daniel stands out as the most difficult book in the Bible to understand.

The book of Joel

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It may come as a surprise that Joel features at this point in the chronological reading plan.

The book of Ezekiel

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Ezekiel is a faithful preacher to the exiles in Babylon after Jeremiah.

The book of Lamentations

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Most people have never read Lamentations.

The book of Habakkuk

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When God isn't making sense to you, what do you do?

The book of Jeremiah

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"The weeping prophet" laments the captivity of his people.

The book of Zephaniah

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Zephaniah introduces us to a ‘day of the Lord’.

The book of Nahum

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Unlike Jonah, Nahum tells Nineveh and Assyria of their certain fall and doom with no chance to repent.

The book of Hosea

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Most people know Hosea as the guy who the Lord commanded to marry a prostitute (Gomer). It is a rich and deep story. If there was fire in Amos’ eyes then there is sorrow and tears in Hosea’s just ten years later.

The book of Amos

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Amos gives us insight into God's judgement and mercy.

The book of Micah

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The book of Micah shows us how we return to the Lord.

The book of Isaiah

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As you embark on reading Isaiah you are about to read through arguably the most magisterial and beautiful of all the Old Testament books.

The book of Jonah

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God didn’t let Jonah go. Through a series of circumstances Jonah finds himself preaching in the streets of Nineveh. The common people turn first and then the nobles. It is like Johannesburg turning to God because of the preaching of one person!

The book of Obadiah

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You may be wondering why this little book, tucked in the back of the Old Testament, comes next in our reading plan.

The book of Ecclesiastes

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The book of Ecclesiastes is, funnily enough, the furthest you can get from ‘meaningless’ - the most common word people remember from the book.

The book of Proverbs

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The Proverbs are for the Christian walk in the office, in our homes and out at play.

The book of Song of Solomon (or Song of Songs)

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At the start of reading the Song of Solomon (or Song of Songs) you should know that you are reading more than a teaching on lovemaking within a marriage relationship.

A Study on the Book of Psalms (Psalms 1 – 72)

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The composition of the Psalms may be the most loved book of the entire Bible. In this study we look at the Psalms that relate to the life of David from Psalm 1 - 72.

The book of Psalms

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The composition of the Psalms may be the most loved book of the entire Bible. Here are some great ways to read the Psalms.

The book of Ruth

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There are deeper messages in the book of Ruth that we can miss if we're not looking carefully.

The book of Judges

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No one can read through Judges and think it irrelevant for us today. We will see aspects of ourselves reflected in the narrative and the characters.

The book of Joshua

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After the unnecessarily long wandering in the desert, the book of Joshua records how the Israelites come into the Promised Land. How is this relevant for us, today?

The book of Deuteronomy

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"Deuteronomy", translated into English, simply means "repetition of the law". Here are some tips on how to read it.

The book of Numbers

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We're now on the book of Numbers in our Bible reading plan. If…

The book of Leviticus

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Leviticus is tough reading… well unless you have some background understanding to help!

The book of Exodus

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Exodus continues where Genesis ended.

The book of Genesis

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Welcome to the start of the Bible.

The book of Job

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As we're going through the book of Job as part of our Bible reading…
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