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Daily Bible reading and Bible reading plans

What Christian writers said, from about AD 370 to 1908.

44 passages · 26 writers · 7 centuries

The short answer

The writers say to read Scripture every day and to set apart a fixed time for it. Wesley advises setting apart a little time every morning and evening and, at each time if there is leisure, reading a chapter from the Old Testament and one from the New. Bayly proposes three chapters a day, one in the morning, one at noon, and one at night, which covers the canonical scriptures in a year except six chapters. Spurgeon and Moule urge reading the Bible through, and George Müller, quoted by Murray, writes of reading it through a hundred times and of the blessing of faithful, daily, regular searching.

Reading the Bible every day

44 passages · 26 writers · 300s to 1900s

Taylor, Henry, and Spurgeon speak of reading Scripture daily. Wesley advises a set time every morning and evening, and Bayly proposes three chapters a day. Jerome says to have a fixed number of lines of holy scripture as a task, and Bayly says to read a chapter before praying in the morning.

c. 1611 · Lewis Bayly, The Practice of Piety 5

If in this manner thou shalt read three chapters every day—one in the morning, another at noon, and the third at night (reading so many psalms instead of a chapter), thou shall read over all the canonical scriptures in a year, except six chapters, which thou mayest add to the duties of the last day of the year. The reading of the Bible in order, will help thee better to understand both the history and scope of the holy Scripture. And as for the Apocrypha, being but penned by man’s spirit, thou mayest read them at thy pleasure; but believe them so far only as they agree with the canonical Scripture, which is edited by the Holy Ghost.

1706–1708 · Matthew Henry, Commentary on Genesis pref

How useful soever this book of books is in itself, it will be of no use to us if we do not acquaint ourselves with it, by reading it daily, and meditating upon it, that we may understand the mind of God in it, and may apply what we understand to ourselves for our direction, rebuke, and comfort, as there is occasion. It is the character of the holy and happy man that his delight is in the law of the Lord; and, as an evidence thereof, he converses with it as his constant companion, and advises with it as his most wise and trusty counsellor, for in that law doth he meditate day and night, Ps. 1. 2. It concerns us to be ready in the scriptures, and to make ourselves so by constant reading and careful observation, and especially by earnest prayer to God for the promised gift of the Holy Ghost, whose office it is to bring things to our remembrance which Christ hath said to us (John 14. 26.) that thus we may have some good word or other at hand for our use in our addresses to God and in our converse with men, in our resistance of Satan and in communing with our own hearts, and may be able, with the good householder, to bring out of this treasury things new and old, for the entertainment and edification both of ourselves and others.

1706–1708 · Matthew Henry, Commentary on Deuteronomy 17.14-20

Having a Bible by him of his own writing, he must not think it enough to keep it in his cabinet, but he must read therein all the days of his life, v. 19. It is not enough to have Bibles, but we must use them, use them daily, as the duty and necessity of everyday require: our souls must have their constant meals of that manna; and, if well digested, it will be true nourishment and strength to them. As the body is receiving benefit by its food continually, and not only when it is eating, so is the soul, by the word of God, if it meditate therein day and night, Ps. i. 2. And we must persevere in the use of the written word of God as long as we live. Christ's scholars never learn above their Bibles, but will have a constant occasion for them till they come to that world where knowledge and love will both be made perfect.

1765 · John Wesley, Explanatory Notes on Genesis pref

If you desire to read the scripture in such a manner as may most effectually answer this end, would it not be advisable, 1. To set apart a little time, if you can, every morning and evening for that purpose? 2. At each time if you have leisure, to read a chapter out of the Old, and one out of the New Testament: if you cannot do this, to take a single chapter, or a part of one? 3. To read this with a single eye, to know the whole will of God, and a fixt resolution to do it?

1902 · Handley C. G. Moule, To My Younger Brethren: Chapters on Pastoral Life and Work 3

As a sort of ground-work to all other methods I venture first to say, be always reading the Bible through, however slowly, or rapidly. For certain purposes, for instance in order to grasp the scope of a book, as perhaps an Epistle, or the Revelation, or St John's Gospel, or the latter half of Isaiah, or the Book of Genesis, rapid reading may be quite reverently done. In any case, get as soon as you may, and as often as is practicable and practical, over the whole surface. Lord Hatherley, amidst the heavy occupations of a barrister's and judge's life, used to read the whole Book through carefully every year, and this for more than thirty years.

1904 · S. D. Gordon, Quiet Talks on Prayer 3

One must get at least a half hour daily when the mind is fresh. A tired mind does not readily absorb. This should be persisted in until there is a habitual spending of at least that much time daily over the Book, with a spirit at leisure from all else, so it can take in. Then the time should be given to the Book itself. If other books are consulted and read as they will be let that be after the reading of this Book. Let God talk to you direct, rather than through somebody else. Give Him first chance at your ears.