The Flatirons Bible Reading Plan is designed to help you establish the practice of understanding God's word. We often hear of people's struggles with the Bible. They don't know where to start, don't understand what it says, and soon get frustrated. Our philosophy, especially when first establishing this habit, is to stick to the New Testament. The place to start is Jesus. Get as much Jesus as you can. You can pick up the Old Testament later, after being well grounded in the teachings of Jesus.

It's ok if you don't understand everything. Be faithful and over time you will understand more and more. The only way this habit doesn't change your life is if you give up. Jesus uses the analogy of seed falling on four types of soil (Luke 8). In three of the four soils, God's word is stolen, shriveled, and choked. It bears no fruit. But the fourth soil is the person whose life is changed by God's word. It takes root and bears fruit. Jesus describes it this way, "But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop." (Luke 8:4-15). These are people who "hear God's word and put it into practice" (Luke 8:21). God's word changes our lives when we hear God's word, retain it, persevere in it, and put it into practice.

Plan

Read two chapters a day in the New Testament.  Estimated time 15-30 minutes a day     
Put a bookmark in chapter 1 of Matthew and read a chapter a day until you finish Acts. Then go back to Matthew 1 and start again.
Put a bookmark in chapter 1 of Romans. Read a chapter a day until you finish Revelation. Then go back to Romans 1 and start again.

Explanation

The New Testament is divided into two parts. The first five books, (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, and Acts) are stories of Jesus' life and the spread of the church. The second part (Romans through Revelation) is teaching. They are letters to churches teaching people how to grow in their new life in Jesus. With this plan, you start reading two chapters a day, one chapter of "story" and one chapter of "teaching."

Consistency is important. You are establishing a lifelong habit. If you do the reading at least five days a week, you will complete the reading cycle twice a year.