Download our free 2026 Daily Bible Reading Guide and begin your new year with the best habit you can have: regular time spent with God.
This is your invitation to discover how a daily rhythm in God’s Word leads to a flourishing faith and lays a firm foundation for the new year and beyond!
A Consistent Bible Habit Leads to Hope
Each year, the ups and downs of life remind us that we can’t control everything. We struggle to make sense of the complexities we see in our world. We feel the burdens of loss, anxiety, and regret. We may even wonder if there is any reliable truth we can hold onto.
According to our State of the Bible research, reading the Bible does more than help you learn about God. It helps you flourish as you grow closer to your Creator, who loves you and desires to bless you through his free gift of Jesus Christ.
As we read the Bible consistently, God can give us a firm sense of identity, help us love others, decrease stress, loneliness, and anxiety, and increase generosity and joy. It’s a life-changing habit that leads to an abundance of hope (Romans 15:13).
Why Should I Read the Bible Every Day? Take Inspiration from God’s Word
Our research simply confirms what we know from Scripture: God’s Word is good for us. Meditating on its truths and seeking to live out its message in our daily lives leads to a deeper, richer relationship with God.
Here are a few key verses to meditate on as you look forward to 2026 and consider how you can go deeper in God’s Word this year.
The Bible is inspired by God himself and equips us for doing good.
All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching the truth, rebuking error, correcting faults, and giving instruction for right living, so that the person who serves God may be fully qualified and equipped to do every kind of good deed.
The Bible is our weapon against sin and temptation.
So put on God’s armor now! Then when the evil day comes, you will be able to resist the enemy’s attacks; and after fighting to the end, you will still hold your ground.
So stand ready, with truth as a belt tight around your waist, with righteousness as your breastplate, and as your shoes the readiness to announce the Good News of peace. At all times carry faith as a shield; for with it you will be able to put out all the burning arrows shot by the Evil One. And accept salvation as a helmet, and the word of God as the sword which the Spirit gives you.
The Bible is the only firm foundation for our lives—even during difficult times.
“So then, anyone who hears these words of mine and obeys them is like a wise man who built his house on rock. The rain poured down, the rivers flooded over, and the wind blew hard against that house. But it did not fall, because it was built on rock.”
The Bible guides us in obeying God and receiving his blessings.
“The people who are really blessed are the ones who hear and obey God’s message!”
How Can I Start a Daily Bible Reading Habit?
Pray and ask for God to help you.
God delights in blessing you through his Word. If you struggle to maintain a regular habit of reading the Bible, he invites you to ask him for help. He is kind and merciful, and you can trust that he will answer you (Psalm 91:15).
Make time for God’s Word in a format that works for you.
It often feels like half the battle is finding time to sit down and read the Bible. If this is true for you, consider trying a new approach this year. Maybe early morning Bible reading isn’t easy, but late-night meditation on God’s Word fills your heart with peace before you go to sleep. Or perhaps you need consistent encouragement throughout your day, so you set reminders on your phone to pause for five minutes and memorize Scripture. If you have a family, maybe spending time in the Bible with your children is a helpful rhythm for this season. In addition to time, consider format. Would a daily Scripture podcast on your commute help you be more consistent in your devotions? Do you enjoy journaling your prayers and meditations on God’s Word? Do you prefer a Bible app or a physical Bible? As long as you commit to making time for God’s Word, you can trust that God will meet you there.
Build community around your Bible reading habit.
Your daily Bible reading is a special time to spend with God. But if you trust in Jesus, you also belong to a community of believers (Romans 12:5). You can grow in your faith and find encouragement in your Bible reading by sharing what you learn with other Christians. Consider joining a Bible study, asking a friend to keep you accountable in your daily Bible reading, or doing a Bible reading plan with fellow believers. See how God uses your community to help you grow in your faith!
Treasure your time in God’s Word.
Above all else, remember that God’s Word is a precious treasure. Psalms like Psalm 19 remind us how wonderful it is to meditate on Scripture and consider what an amazing God we serve. This year, trust that God will grow you in that knowledge as you dive deeper into his Word.
Free 2026 Daily Bible Reading Guide
Download American Bible Society’s free Daily Bible Reading Guide by clicking below! We hope this resource blesses you as you grow closer to Jesus this year. Whether you use this free resource on your own, or you read along with our companion daily emails, we know that God will meet you in his holy Word.
