One of the key resources on this site to help Christians follow Jesus in today’s world is The Bible Tour, a guided plan to read through the entire Bible in a year. In this article, I want to share why this journey is so valuable and why you should consider setting out on it.

Embarking on a journey to read the Bible in a year is like stepping into a vast, breath-taking landscape. It is entering a land that reveals the beauty, complexity, and mystery of God’s work in the world and our lives. It’s not just about finishing a book (or a library of books to be more accurate). It’s about immersing yourself in a divine story that shapes the way you see everything. Here are a few reasons why you should consider setting out to read the Bible in the coming year.

You see the big picture

The Bible is not a collection of random writings. It is a grand narrative of creation, rebellion, redemption, and restoration. Reading it in a year helps you see how each part—whether law, poetry, prophecy, or gospel—connects to the whole. It’s like standing back from an amazing tapestry and realising how each thread contributes to the work of art. Familiar verses gain new depth, and obscure passages begin to make sense in the context of the big story. You start to see how God has been weaving his purposes through history, and how your own life fits into his plan.

You receive bread for the journey

When you commit to reading the Bible daily, it becomes less about checking off a task and more about receiving nourishment. Each day offers something fresh: a word of encouragement, a challenge to grow, a glimpse of God’s heart. You begin to notice how Scripture has a way of speaking directly into your life with specific, timely wisdom. Over the year, this regular rhythm shapes you, teaching you to live with God’s perspective and priorities.

You discover hidden treasures

Let’s be honest—some parts of the Bible can feel daunting. The genealogies in Chronicles, the laws in Leviticus, and the visions in Ezekiel seem impenetrable at first glance. But when you commit to reading the entire Bible, you start to find treasure in unexpected places. You see how those long lists of names tell a story of God’s faithfulness across generations. You discover how the laws reveal his holiness and his concern for justice and mercy. You begin to marvel at how the poetic imagery reveals something of the stunning glory of God’s person and promises.

You are shaped by the Word of God

Reading the Bible in a year isn’t just about learning. It’s about transformation. Over time, the words of Scripture begin to shape your heart and mind. You become more attuned to God’s voice, more sensitive to his Spirit, and more rooted in his truth. The Bible doesn’t just give you information. It teaches you how to live well in God’s world, how to discover his grace, live by his wisdom, and trust in his promises.

You join a story that’s bigger than you

One of the most humbling aspects of reading the Bible is realising that it’s not just about you. It’s about God’s unfolding story to redeem and restore all things. A story that began long before you and will continue long after you. And yet he invites you to be part of it. As you read about Abraham’s faith, David’s struggles, Esther’s courage, and Peter’s boldness, you see that the same God who worked through them is at work in us all so that ordinary people can become a part of his extraordinary purpose.

You deepen your relationship with God

When you reach the end of the year, you’ll realize it wasn’t just about completing the Bible. It was about allowing the Bible to complete something in you. You’ll have walked through valleys and stood on mountains. You’ll have wrestled with hard questions and celebrated profound truths. And you’ll come away not just with knowledge, but with a deeper relationship with the God who breathed these words into existence.

Reading the Bible in a year is a journey worth taking, not because it’s easy, but because it can be life-changing. It’s a way of opening yourself to the God who speaks, who acts, and who invites you into his eternal story. So why not set out this coming year on 1 January 2025 with The Bible Tour here on differentkingdom.com. God will meet you on the pages, day by day, and the journey will transform you in ways you never imagined.