All you have to do to become a part of this global movement is read the Bible. It\u2019s that simple.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Why Participate in Global Bible Month?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Reading, understanding, and applying the Bible comprise the core of Christian practice. Here are a few benefits of reading the Bible:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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- Know God more deeply:<\/strong> Reading Scripture helps us better understand God\u2019s character and the life and teachings of Jesus Christ (John 20:30\u201331<\/a>).<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Understand what we believe:<\/strong> Regular reading introduces the context and larger story behind familiar verses, helping you find your place in God\u2019s grand narrative (2 Timothy 3:14\u201317<\/a>).<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Put your faith into practice:<\/strong> Reflecting and praying on your reading encourages you to better apply Jesus\u2019 teachings of generosity, humility, and love for others (James 1:22\u201325<\/a>).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Of course, reading the Bible is good. But why participate in this event, specifically?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nFrankly, you don\u2019t need to. If you already have a regular Bible habit, that\u2019s great! Keep doing what you\u2019re doing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That said, there are good reasons to get involved with a major movement like Global Bible Month:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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- The Bible is meant to be shared:<\/strong> Reading together in community<\/a> is how Jews and Christians originally experienced<\/a> Scripture.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Accountability:<\/strong> Reading with a group or companion helps you stick with your habits and reach your goals.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Guidance and discipleship:<\/strong> Group study helps you understand what you\u2019re reading and avoid error<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
One month of consistent Bible engagement may not grant you spiritual transformation. But it\u2019s a strong foundation for building a sustained habit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Choose Your Global Bible Month Reading Plan<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
When you\u2019re ready to make the commitment, the best approach to regular Bible reading is one you return to consistently. There are many different ways to read the Bible daily. Here are some of the best options for this November.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Join the Official 30-Day Bible Challenge<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
If you want, you can sign up for the official Global Bible Month reading<\/a> list and receive daily emails with your scheduled passage all month long.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The advantage of this approach is that you get to read alongside everyone participating in the event around the world, encouraging one another in the process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, the signup requires you to agree to receive marketing emails as well. And as of this writing, the reading plan hasn\u2019t been made public, so you won\u2019t know what you\u2019re signing up for (e.g., verses or chapters? consecutive or thematic?) until you get it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Start With Bible Gateway\u2019s Verse of the Day<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
If you like the idea of participating in Global Bible Month but the prospect of committing to longer Bible readings feels overwhelming, why not start with Bible Gateway\u2019s Verse of the Day<\/a>?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you\u2019re not already receiving these, you can sign up<\/a> to have each day\u2019s one- to two-verse reading dropped daily into your inbox in your preferred translation<\/a>. Or, if you\u2019d rather not subscribe, you can simply find today\u2019s verse right on Bible Gateway\u2019s home page<\/a> \u2014 or view the whole calendar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This option lets you choose how much reading you want to do: you can simply read the verse and spend some time thinking and praying about it during your day, and maybe write a journal entry on it in the evening. Or, you can choose to read the surrounding passage for greater depth and context. If you\u2019re a Bible Gateway Plus<\/a> subscriber, you can even do a little study on it by reading some notes from a few study Bibles, commentaries, or other resources.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Try a Bible Gateway Reading Plan<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Looking for something more guided, long-term, or in-depth than a verse or two per day? Bible Gateway offers a variety of reading plans<\/a> to help you build a consistent Bible reading habit. Here are a few options you might consider:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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- Start fresh with Genesis and read through the entire Bible in a year<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Read selections from both the Old and New Testaments<\/a> each day.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Read the Gospels in 40 days, starting with November and moving into Advent.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Join in with the historical, global church by reading the daily Lectionary<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
You can start, pause, or end a reading plan at any time \u2014 so you can go at your own pace and not feel any pressure if you need to take a break.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Create Your Own 30-Day Bible Plan<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Feeling ambitious? If none of the above guided reading plans suits you, make your own! There are nearly limitless ways you could approach 30 days of Bible reading, but here are a few ideas to get you started.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
First, you could simply pick a book and read through one chapter per day, making adjustments as necessary to fit the 30-day window. For example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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- Read five Psalms<\/a> each day, adding an extra here and there so you can devote one day just to Psalm 119<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Read Psalm 1 and 2<\/a> on November 1, then one chapter of Matthew<\/a> each day, and end with Psalm 1 and 2 again.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Read one chapter of Proverbs<\/a> each day (including December 1).<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Read Genesis 1<\/a>, then John 1<\/a>\u201321, then 1 John<\/a>, 2 John<\/a>, and 3 John<\/a>, and end with Revelation 22<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Read each chapter of Mark<\/a> twice.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Or you could use our guide to the 50 biggest events in the Bible storyline<\/a> to make a 30-day reading plan that covers the whole narrative arc of the Bible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Or, pick a theme \u2014 like gratitude<\/a> or God\u2019s Word<\/a> \u2014 and create a 30-day plan using our verse guides or a resource like the Thompson Chain Reference Bible<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How to Make Your Daily Bible Reading Meaningful<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Beyond having a list of readings for the 30 days of November, it is helpful to establish a reading practice<\/em> to bring you more fully into the text. Though there is power in simply reading God\u2019s Word, the goal is never just<\/em> to read it, but to \u201cwrite it on your heart\u201d (Jer. 31:33<\/a>), \u201cmeditate on it day and night\u201d (Josh. 1:8<\/a>), and ultimately let it transform you<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here are some suggested reading practices. Of course, feel free to adjust them to an approach that works best for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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- Be consistent and realistic:<\/strong> Don\u2019t bite off more than you can chew. Choose a set time every day \u2014 say, 15 or 30 minutes every morning or on your lunch break \u2014 and read what you can in that span.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Read the passage in context:<\/strong> Notice who is speaking, the original audience, and what comes before and after.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Record one observation and one question:<\/strong> You don\u2019t need to resolve every difficulty immediately. Meditate or pray<\/a> on it throughout your day, or return to it later, whether that evening or a later date.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Pray and respond:<\/strong> Ask what the passage reveals about God and how it invites a faithful response from you.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Invite someone to join you:<\/strong> Global Bible Month \u2014 like Bible reading generally<\/a> \u2014 is intended to be shared. Revisit what you\u2019ve read in a weekly conversation with a friend, family member, or small group.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
Helpful Books for Your November Bible Study (and Beyond)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
As you double down on your Bible reading commitments during November, you may want to set aside other reading for the month. On the other hand, you may find it helpful to have a guide to help you stay on track and inform your reading with background, context, and reflection prompts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Reading your passages with Bible Gateway Plus<\/a> gives you access to dozens of resources<\/a> featuring tons of study notes, so that\u2019s a great place to start. But if you prefer a hard-copy book or a different type of resource, here are a few suggestions:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Study Bibles<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
I often recommend study Bibles for both new and experienced Bible readers. They provide a wealth of information that can be invaluable in keeping you engaged with what you\u2019re reading. Of course, all that extra info can slow down your Bible reading, so you\u2019ll need to pace yourself. But it can be well worth it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Read our guide to the best study Bibles<\/a> for every type of reader to help you decide on one that\u2019s right for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
30-Day Bible Studies<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
There are many Bible study books structured around a 30-day walk through a particular book or topic in the Bible, which make them perfect for Global Bible Month. Here are a few examples:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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- 30 Days to Understanding the Bible<\/a> by Max Anders (study guide<\/a> also available)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- A Sacrifice of Praise and Thanksgiving: 30 Days of Rejoicing in God\u2019s Goodness<\/a> by Wendy Speake<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- 30 Days with Jesus<\/a> by Lysa TerKeurst and Joel Muddamalle<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- 30 Days of Prayer: A Bible Study in Psalms<\/a> by Proverbs 31 Ministries<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- 30 Days: A Practical Introduction to Reading the Bible<\/a> by Nicky Gumbel<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Bible Overview Books<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
If you\u2019re new to reading the Bible<\/a> or have tried it but found it confusing and overwhelming, you might want to try reading a more introductory guide that introduces you to the basic storyline, contents, and concepts of the Bible. With these, try reading a few pages of the book alongside a short Bible passage discussed by the author.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here are a few recent favorites to get you started:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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- The Bible, Simplified<\/a> by Zach Windahl: An accessible introduction to the Bible\u2019s overarching storyline<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- No More Boring Bible Study<\/a> by Faith Womack: Encouragement and guidance<\/a> for readers who find Scripture confusing, intimidating, or difficult to engage with.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- The Lightning-Fast Field Guide to the Bible<\/a> by Matt Whitman: Brief introductions to each biblical book, including its setting, key details, and advice on tricky passages<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Reading the Bible: A Literary Guide to Scripture<\/a> by Dr. Bill Creasy: A deeper journey<\/a> through the Bible\u2019s storyline by one of America\u2019s top educators.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Start in November \u2014 and Keep Going<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
I hope this article has left you feeling equipped and confident to embark on your Global Bible Month reading journey. But don\u2019t stop on December 1!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Use what you\u2019ve learned, the resources you\u2019ve acquired, and the habit you\u2019ve established to keep yourself going into the Christmas season. Follow along with Bible Gateway\u2019s Verse of the Day calendar or another reading plan to walk through the expectation of Advent and the miracle of Christmas \u2014 then start strong in the New Year with renewed energy and purpose for your read-round Bible reading.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For now, choose your reading approach, set aside a time, and if possible, invite someone to join you. Whether you begin with the official Global Bible Month challenge, one of Bible Gateway\u2019s reading options, or your own tailored reading plan, let November become the beginning of a practice you carry into December and beyond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Want to go deeper into every book of the Bible \u2014 right from your phone or computer?\u00a0Bible Gateway Plus<\/a>\u00a0offers dozens of study Bibles, dictionaries, commentaries, and\u00a0other resources<\/a>\u00a0to go deeper into every aspect of God\u2019s Word.\u00a0Start your free trial today!<\/a><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
- No More Boring Bible Study<\/a> by Faith Womack: Encouragement and guidance<\/a> for readers who find Scripture confusing, intimidating, or difficult to engage with.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- A Sacrifice of Praise and Thanksgiving: 30 Days of Rejoicing in God\u2019s Goodness<\/a> by Wendy Speake<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Read the passage in context:<\/strong> Notice who is speaking, the original audience, and what comes before and after.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Read Psalm 1 and 2<\/a> on November 1, then one chapter of Matthew<\/a> each day, and end with Psalm 1 and 2 again.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Read selections from both the Old and New Testaments<\/a> each day.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Accountability:<\/strong> Reading with a group or companion helps you stick with your habits and reach your goals.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Understand what we believe:<\/strong> Regular reading introduces the context and larger story behind familiar verses, helping you find your place in God\u2019s grand narrative (2 Timothy 3:14\u201317<\/a>).<\/li>\n\n\n\n