5 Simple Bible Reading Challenges For 2026 And Beyond!

Bible Reading Challenges Lead Magnet Pins For Purposeful Her

Have you ever started a bible reading challenge full of excitement, only to feel completely overwhelmed three days in?

I know that feeling far too well. As a teacher juggling lesson plans, marking, staff meetings, and the daily commute on the bus, finding time to open my Bible can feel like one more thing on an already impossible to-do list. And honestly?

Some mornings I’m just trying to remember if I packed my lunch, let alone carve out meaningful time with Jesus.

But here’s what I’ve realised: the problem isn’t our desire to read Scripture. It’s that we’re drowning in options. There are so many Bible studies, reading plans, and challenges out there that before we even start, we’re already exhausted.

We compare ourselves to women who seem to breeze through a 90 day bible reading challenge whilst we’re still stuck on day two of whatever plan we downloaded last January. So we give up. We close the app. We tell ourselves we’ll try again next month.

Friend, I don’t want you to give up.

That’s why I’ve created five simple, practical bible reading challenges that actually fit into real life; the kind of life where you’re eating toast on the bus, where your quiet time might happen during your lunch break, and where some days you’re just trying to stay afloat.

These Bible challenges aren’t about perfection at all. They’re about showing up, small step by small step, and drawing closer to the God who meets us right where we are.

Whether you’re looking for a 30 day bible reading challenge to ease back in or a 1 year bible reading plan that gives you breathing room, there’s something here for you. Let’s find a rhythm that works, not one that adds more pressure to your already full plate.

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The 30 Day Bible Reading Challenge

Sometimes we need a starting point that doesn’t feel overwhelming. A 30 day bible reading challenge is perfect for those seasons when you’re returning to Scripture after a break, or when you simply want something achievable and focused.

Here’s how to make it work: choose one book of the Bible, maybe a Gospel like John or a shorter book like Philippians. Read a chapter or two each day. That’s it. No fancy study guide required. Just you, your Bible, and a heart open to what God wants to say.

I love doing this on my morning commute. Those twenty minutes on the bus become sacred space. I’m not trying to read the bible in 30 days cover to cover. I’m simply spending intentional time in one book, letting the words sink in slowly.

Some mornings I’ll read the same passage twice. Other days I’ll jot down one verse in my phone notes that I want to remember.

The beauty of a 30 day bible reading challenge is that it’s short enough to finish, but long enough to build a habit. And when you reach day 30? Celebrate that. You showed up. You chose Jesus over the scroll. That matters more than you know.

Practical tip: Pick a book that speaks to where you are right now. Feeling anxious? Try Philippians.

Need hope? Start with John. Craving wisdom? Proverbs is always a good friend.

The Summer Bible Reading Challenge (July To August)

There’s something special about summer, isn’t there? Even as a teacher, once the school year ends and July begins, there’s a shift.

A bit more space.

A bit more light.

A summer bible reading challenge is a beautiful way to use those months intentionally.

Here’s the plan: from July to August, read through the Psalms. There are 150 psalms, so if you read about two or three a day, you’ll finish by the end of August. The Psalms are perfect for summer because they’re honest, raw, and full of worship.

Some days you’ll read songs of praise. Other days you’ll read David’s desperate cries for help. All of it is real. All of it is welcome.

I remember one summer doing this whilst sitting in my small backyard with a cup of tea after work. Those moments became my favourite part of the day, not because I had everything sorted, but because I was meeting God in the mess.

The Psalms gave me language for things I didn’t know how to pray.

A summer bible reading challenge doesn’t have to be rigid. Maybe you read in the morning before it gets too warm. Maybe you listen to the Psalms on the bus. Maybe you skip a day and that’s okay. The goal isn’t perfection. It’s connection.

Practical tip: Keep a journal nearby and write down any verses that hit differently. Summer is a season of growth, and God often speaks in the stillness.

The 90 Day Bible Reading Challenge

If you want something with a bit more structure but still manageable, a 90 day bible reading challenge through the Gospels and Acts is incredible. This is Jesus-centred reading at its finest.

Here’s the breakdown: read Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, and Acts over 90 days. That’s roughly one chapter a day, sometimes two. You’ll walk through Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, and then watch the early church come alive through the Holy Spirit.

I did this challenge during a particularly overwhelming term at work. Every evening, no matter how tired I was, I’d read one chapter before bed. Some nights I fell asleep mid-verse. Other nights, something in the text would wake my soul right up.

But by the end of those 90 days, I knew Jesus better. I saw His compassion, His boldness, His love for the outsider. It changed me.

The 90 day bible reading challenge is long enough to require commitment, but short enough that the finish line feels reachable. And friend, there’s something powerful about immersing yourself in the story of Jesus for three solid months.

Practical tip: Use a simple reading plan or Bible app to keep track. Seeing your progress is encouraging, especially on the days you don’t feel like reading.

The 1 Year Bible Reading Plan

For those who want to read the bible in 6 months but feel that’s too fast, or for anyone who wants a steady, sustainable pace, a 1 year bible reading plan is ideal. This is the long game, and it’s rooted, intentional, and full of grace.

A good 1 year bible reading plan typically has you reading a bit from the Old Testament, a bit from the New Testament, a Psalm, and a Proverb each day.

It’s varied, so you don’t get stuck in genealogies for weeks. And because it’s spread over a full year, you have room to miss a day without feeling like you’ve failed.

I’ll be honest. I’ve never completed a perfect year of Bible reading. There have been weeks where I’ve fallen behind, seasons where I’ve skipped entire books. But here’s the thing: God’s grace is bigger than our gaps.

The goal isn’t to tick a box. The goal is to meet with Him, even imperfectly.

If you’re considering a 1 year bible reading plan, give yourself permission to adjust. If you miss a week, don’t try to catch up all at once. Just pick up where you left off. This is about relationship, not performance.

Practical tip: Find a plan that includes variety. The mix of Old Testament, New Testament, Psalms, and Proverbs keeps things fresh and stops you from burning out.

Read The Bible In 6 Months

Maybe you’re someone who thrives on a challenge. Maybe you’ve got a season of life where you have a bit more margin, and you want to use it well. If so, choosing to read the bible in 6 months might be your sweet spot.

This plan requires reading about three to four chapters a day. It’s not impossible, but it does take intentionality. I wouldn’t recommend this if you’re in a particularly draining season. But if you’re ready to dive deep and see the whole story of Scripture unfold quickly, it’s powerful.

The key to making this work is consistency. Maybe you read two chapters in the morning and two in the evening. Maybe you use your lunch break to listen to the Bible on audio.

Find what fits your rhythm and stick with it.

I know a friend who did this during a sabbatical year, and she said it transformed how she saw the Bible. Reading it quickly helped her see themes she’d never noticed before.

She was able to see the thread of God’s faithfulness, the repeated call to justice, and the way Jesus fulfils every promise. It wasn’t easy, but it was worth it.

Practical tip: If you fall behind, don’t quit. Adjust the timeline. Maybe it becomes a nine-month plan instead. That’s still an achievement worth celebrating.

Create Your Own Bible Reading Plan

Maybe none of these options feel quite right. Maybe you need something more tailored to your season, your questions, or your heart’s hunger. That’s okay. You can absolutely create your own bible reading plan.

Here’s how:

1. Pray first. Ask the Holy Spirit what He wants you to focus on. Maybe it’s a specific topic, like God’s promises, or a particular book that keeps coming to mind.

2. Choose your focus. Do you want to study one book deeply? Read through a Testament? Follow a theme like grace or prayer?

3. Set a realistic pace. Be honest about your capacity. Would ten minutes a day work better than thirty? Start small. You can always add more later.

4. Write it down. Create a simple list or chart. Seeing your plan on paper (or in your phone) makes it tangible.

5. Build in grace. Life happens. Kids get sick. Work gets chaotic. The bus breaks down. Give yourself permission to adjust without guilt.

Creating your own plan means it fits you, not some idealised version of yourself, but the real you, with your real schedule and your real struggles. That’s the kind of Bible reading that sticks.

A Final Word

Friend, whatever bible reading challenge you choose, remember this: God isn’t waiting for you to get it perfect. He’s just waiting for you. He doesn’t need you to read the bible in 30 days or finish the the bible reading challenge without missing a single day.

He simply wants to meet with you.

So whether you start with a 30 day bible reading challenge, commit to a summer bible reading challenge, or decide to read the bible in 6 months, know that every moment you spend in His Word matters.

Every chapter. Every verse. Every small, imperfect step.

You’re not behind. You’re right where you need to be.

So tell me. Which bible reading challenge are you going to try? Or are you feeling called to create your own bible reading plan? I’d love to hear what you choose.

With love,