What is a One Year Bible? (And How to Use It Successfully)

Estimated Read Time: 4 minutes

The biggest obstacle to reading the Bible often isn't a lack of time. It is "decision fatigue."

You sit down with your coffee, open your Bible, and immediately freeze. Where do I start? Do I continue in Genesis? Should I read a Psalm? Maybe something from the Gospels?

By the time you have decided, your coffee is cold and your reading time is half over.

This is exactly why the One Year Bible was invented. It is one of the most popular formats we sell at Eden, especially in January, because it solves the problem of "where" so you can focus on the "what."

But what exactly is it? And how do you stick with it when life gets busy?

In Short:

What is a One Year Bible?
A One Year Bible is a specific edition of the Bible where the text has been rearranged into 365 daily readings. Instead of starting at Genesis 1 and ending at Revelation 22, each daily entry typically contains a portion from the Old Testament, the New Testament, a Psalm, and a Proverb. This format allows you to read the entire Bible in one calendar year without needing to flip pages or follow a separate checklist.

How Does It Work?

In a standard Bible, the books are arranged by library order (Law, History, Poetry, etc.). In a One Year Bible, the layout is dictated by the calendar.

When you open the page to "January 15th," you won't just see a wall of text. You will typically see:

• A passage from Genesis (The story of the Patriarchs)
• A passage from Matthew (The Life of Jesus)
• A Psalm (For prayer and worship)
• A Proverb (For daily wisdom)

This variety is the key to its success. Even if you are struggling through a difficult list of laws in the Old Testament, you still get to read the encouragement of a Psalm and the teaching of Jesus in the same sitting.

3 Tips for Success in 2026

Buying the Bible is the easy part. Reading it every day for 365 days is the challenge. Here is how to make it all the way to December 31st.

1. Anchors, Not Just Intentions

Don't just say "I will read it daily." Attach the habit to something you already do.

The Tip: Keep your One Year Bible next to the kettle or coffee machine. You cannot have your morning brew until you have read your daily portion. If you anchor the new habit to an old one, it is far less likely to slip.

2. The "No Catch-Up" Rule

This is controversial, but it saves readers from quitting. If you miss three days (and you likely will), do not try to read four days' worth of text on the fourth day. You will feel rushed, you won't absorb the meaning, and you will associate reading with stress.

The Tip: If you fall behind, just turn to today's date and read that. You can read the missed portions next year. The goal is connection with God today, not a perfect scorecard.

3. Use the Margins

One Year Bibles are often designed to be consumable. They aren't meant to sit pristine on a shelf.

The Tip: Read with a pen in your hand. Circle the verse that stood out most in the daily reading. When you look back at "January" later in the year, you will see a trail of what God was speaking to you through the seasons.

Ready to Start?

Whether you prefer the NIV, NLT, or KJV, there is a One Year edition formatted for you. It is the simplest tool for turning a "New Year's Resolution" into a lifetime habit.

Find Your Perfect One Year Bible Here