*Lindsay: (ˈlɪndzɪ) n. (name, surname). Linden tree planted at the water.*
Blessed is the one whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water. —Psalm 1:1a, 2, and 3a
Get started
Print the linked one-page .pdf of the entire annual reading plan, put it in your Bible, and mark off each day as you go!
What this is
Many great Bible reading plans and strategies have been developed over the centuries. The Lindsay Bible Reading Plan aspires to continue this legacy. The reading plan has five principle aims:
Read for understanding • On average, each day has 3.5 chapters from just one book, followed by a brief Psalm stanza. By reading and completing one book at a time, deeper comprehension is more attainable.
Avoid getting “bogged down” • Throughout most of the plan, “alternating canonical order” guides the reader to complete an Old Testament book, followed by a New Testament book, followed by an Old Testament book, and so on. This helps to keep the reading fresh, while still beginning the year in Genesis and ending it with Revelation.
Pray the scriptures • In addition to a multi-chapter reading, each day has a bite-sized stanza from the Psalter designed to inform daily prayer. Just as God speaks to his people though the Bible, the Psalms help people to speak back to God.
Grounded in Christian tradition • By dividing the daily readings between AM (longer reading) and PM (Psalm stanza), the reader can engage the age-old practice of morning and evening Bible meditation.
Compliment the local church • Sunday readings only contain the Psalm stanza, reserving the longer readings for Monday through Saturday. This leaves time on Sunday for meditating on the Bible passage from the reader’s church service.
When to begin
Now! Even though Genesis 1 is read on January 1, there’s no reason to wait. Jump in with today’s date, and read on. In other words, the best Bible reading plan is the plan that you actually do.
Want more?
When beginning a new book of the Bible book, first watch the brief Bible Project overview video. Also, each Psalm reading can be complimented with Tim and Kathy Keller’s The Songs of Jesus or with Derek Kidner’s commentaries on The Psalms. (I am indebted to these volumes for guiding the subdivision of the Psalms into a year of daily readings.)