Balanced Old and New Testament Reading Plans
By Bible Plan Generator Team
Many of us have been there. We start a Bible-in-a-year plan with great enthusiasm, flying through the compelling stories of Genesis and Exodus. Then we hit the detailed laws of Leviticus or the long genealogies in Numbers, and our momentum slows to a crawl. The daily habit that once felt inspiring now feels like a chore.
On the other hand, some of us love the New Testament so much that we rarely venture into the Old. We miss out on the rich historical foundation and prophetic promises that give the life of Jesus and the early church their profound meaning. A balanced Old and New Testament reading plan is the perfect solution, offering variety, context, and a holistic view of God’s Word every single day.
Why a Balanced Reading Plan is So Effective
A reading plan that intentionally includes selections from both testaments each day is one of the most sustainable and enriching ways to engage with Scripture. It’s a simple change that brings profound benefits.
It Prevents Reading Fatigue
This is the most immediate benefit. By switching from a historical narrative in the Old Testament to a theological letter in the New Testament, you engage different parts of your mind. This variety keeps your reading fresh and interesting, helping you push through the more challenging sections of Scripture without losing steam.
It Constantly Reveals Connections
When you read from both testaments daily, you start to see the Bible as one unified story. You might read about the sacrificial system in Leviticus in the morning and then about Jesus as the ultimate sacrifice in Hebrews in the evening. These connections jump off the page, constantly reinforcing the consistency and brilliance of God’s redemptive plan.
It Provides a Well-Rounded Spiritual Diet
The Old Testament is rich with history, prophecy, and wisdom, showing us the character of God and our need for a savior. The New Testament reveals that savior in Jesus Christ and explains how to live in light of His coming. A balanced plan ensures you are nourished by the “whole counsel of God,” building a faith that is both deeply rooted and practically applied.
Popular Ways to Structure a Balanced Plan
There are several popular methods for creating a balanced Old and New Testament reading plan. The beauty is in their flexibility—you can find one that fits your personal style perfectly.
- The Classic Split: This is the simplest approach. You read a few chapters from the Old Testament, starting at Genesis 1, and one chapter from the New Testament, starting at Matthew 1. You simply proceed through both testaments sequentially.
- The M’Cheyne Plan: A famous and beloved plan developed by 19th-century Scottish minister Robert Murray M’Cheyne. This plan has you read from four different parts of the Bible every day, typically from the Old Testament history, the Psalms, the Gospels, and the Epistles. It’s designed for deep immersion.
- The “Wisdom Sandwich”: A variation that many readers enjoy. Each day includes a reading from the Old Testament, a chapter from the Psalms or Proverbs, and a reading from the New Testament. This ensures you are always engaging with history, poetry, and theology.
The key principle behind all these plans is the same: introduce intentional variety to create a rich, diverse, and sustainable daily reading habit.
How Bible Plan Generator Creates the Perfect Balanced Plan
Our free web app is uniquely suited to help you build a dynamic and balanced reading plan. While some apps force you into a single, linear plan, our tool allows you to create and track multiple plans simultaneously, which is the key to this method.
Here’s how you can create a classic balanced plan in just two minutes:
- Create Your OT Plan: Go to the custom plan generator. For the “Scope,” select “Old Testament.” Set your duration for one year (or any length you prefer). Click “Create Plan” and name it “My OT Reading.”
- Create Your NT Plan: Go back to the generator. This time, for the “Scope,” select “New Testament.” Set the same duration. Click “Create Plan” and name it “My NT Reading.”
That’s it! Now, when you visit your dashboard each day, you’ll see your daily readings from both plans listed side-by-side. You’ll have a passage from the Old Testament and a passage from the New Testament waiting for you every day. Our free tier allows you to have up to three active plans, so you could even add a third plan just for the Psalms.
For readers who want to take their organization to the next level, our Premium features offer even more tools. With a Premium account, you can create unlimited saved plans to mix and match different parts of Scripture. The calendar view also provides a beautiful, at-a-glance look at how your different reading plans will unfold over the coming weeks and months.
A balanced Bible reading plan keeps your time in the Word vibrant and insightful. It’s a simple strategy for a more profound and consistent connection with God.
Find a balanced Bible reading plan. Use our free tool to set up parallel Old and New Testament readings and experience the whole story of Scripture in a fresh way.