3 Things to Do to Get Back Track with Your Bible Reading Plan

A new year and fresh starts. They just seem to go so well together—don’t you think? Like how peanut butter and jelly make the perfect pair. There’s something about it that just simply works. Whether it’s creating new goals, establishing new routines, transitioning to a new job, or cultivating new relationships, the “newness” of the New Year captivates us all.  

But have you noticed how, after a few weeks in the New Year, all that “fresh” and “new” talk seems to fade away like a distant dream? Old habits start to creep back in and new goals fly out the window. Maybe even that Bible reading plan you had high hopes for is starting to collect dust—or at least the “missed days” list is now longer than the “completed days” list.  

As discouraging and frustrating as this can feel, the good news is that God doesn’t reprimand you for this. If you are in Christ, you can rest assured that His love for you is constant—even when you fall behind on your Bible reading.  

So, don’t let your frustrations or disappointments cause you to give up on your desire to read the Bible altogether. Instead, allow God’s immoveable and unconditional love for you to be the reason you open up your Bible and jump back into your Bible reading plan. And as you do so, here are three helpful tips. 

Remember Why You Wanted to Read the Bible  

Jesus said in Matthew 4:4, “Man must not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” The Bible isn’t just a book of rules or ancient stories; it’s the living Word of God meant to reveal God’s heart and transform yours (2 Timothy 3:16–17; Hebrews 4:12). It doesn’t just tell you how to live; it’s life itself. Every time you open its pages, you have the opportunity to encounter the One who loves you and has given you everything in Christ. So before you rush back into a rigid schedule, take a moment to pause and remember that the true purpose of reading God’s Word is to draw closer to God—to know and experience Him.  

Remove Distractions 

Whether it’s work, social media, television, or busy schedules, the world is full of things that try to pull our attention away from spending time with God. The more we let these distractions take over, the harder it becomes to open the Bible. And this isn’t random by any means—often, these distractions are part of the enemy’s strategy to keep us from the life and growth that comes from being rooted in God’s Word. 1 Peter 5:8 implores believers to be “sober-minded” and “alert,” because “the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour.” The enemy wants to keep believers distracted and disconnected from God.