Of the three Bible reading plans we make, this is the one we recommend most often, especially to anyone who has tried to read the whole Bible before and lost steam. Every day you read a little of the Old Testament and a little of the New. It sounds like a small change, and it makes a bigger difference than you’d expect.
How the Plan Works
Each day has two parts:
- Two or three chapters from the Old Testament, moving from Genesis toward Malachi over the year.
- One chapter from the New Testament, starting in Matthew and running alongside the Old Testament all year.
Day one is Genesis 1 and 2, then Matthew 1. Day two is Genesis 3 and 4, then Matthew 2. On the last day you finish Malachi and read the final chapter of Revelation. That’s about three or four chapters a day, usually 15 to 20 minutes.
Because there are far fewer New Testament chapters than Old, the New Testament is paced slowly on purpose. Some longer chapters are split across two days. On our checklist those are marked “cont.” so it’s clear the repeat is intentional.
Why Reading Both Helps
The hard stretches come with a Gospel
The hardest stretches for most readers are in the Old Testament: the detailed laws in Leviticus, the census lists in Numbers, the dark chapters of Judges. When you read those alone, day after day, it’s easy to lose your bearings.
On this plan, the slow parts of the Old Testament (Leviticus, Numbers, Judges) all fall in the first half of the year, while you’re reading the Gospels. Those hard passages sit next to the life of Jesus. You read about the sacrifices in Leviticus in the morning, and the same day you read about the One those sacrifices pointed to. It changes how the Old Testament feels.
You start to see the connections
Reading both testaments side by side, you’ll notice how often the New Testament quotes and echoes the Old. Matthew keeps pointing back to the prophets. When you reach Hebrews late in the plan, you’ll recognize the tabernacle and the sacrifices from your Leviticus days. You don’t need a study guide to notice these links. They just start showing up.
It’s easier to keep going
Variety helps attention. If one reading is slow going, the other might be the part that speaks to you that day. And because you’re in the Gospels from the very first week, the plan starts with momentum instead of saving the New Testament for the fall.
Who This Plan Is For
This plan is a great fit if:
- You’ve started a straight-through plan before and stalled in Leviticus or Numbers.
- You like some variety in your reading.
- You want to see how the whole Bible fits together around Christ.
It might not be your favorite if you’d rather stay in one book for a long stretch. In that case, take a look at our Alternating Weeks plan or reading straight through. We compare all three in this side-by-side guide.
Tips for Reading This Plan Well
Read the Old Testament first, then the New. Ending each day in the New Testament is a nice way to close.
Look for one connection a week. You don’t have to find a link every day. Once a week, ask yourself whether anything in the New Testament reading reminded you of the Old.
Use a catch-up day. Pick one slow day a week to catch up on missed readings, so a busy Tuesday doesn’t turn into quitting. More on that in our guide to making a Bible reading resolution last.
Get the Plan Free
We’ll send you the full 365-day Daily OT + NT Mix checklist free, along with our other two plans so you can compare. Every day is listed with a box to tick, and it prints on regular paper. We’ll also include the first five days of the guided journal version, which prints the full Bible text with background, a word study, and questions for each day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you read the Old and New Testament at the same time?
Yes. That’s exactly how this plan works: two or three Old Testament chapters and one New Testament chapter each day. Day one is Genesis 1 and 2, then Matthew 1.
How long does it take to read the Old and New Testament daily?
About 15 to 20 minutes, covering three or four chapters, to finish the whole Bible in a year.
Do I read the New Testament more than once in this plan?
No. You read every New Testament chapter once, spread across the whole year. Some chapters are split over two days, which is why they appear twice on the checklist.
What translation should I use?
Any Bible works with the checklist. Our guided journals print the full Berean Standard Bible text.