This morning I finished reading through the Bible in a year's time (I finished a day early). If you've never done this but would like to try, I would recommend using The One Year Chronological Bible NLT (New Living Translation). It is a very readable, yet accurate, version of the Bible, and it helps the reader to understand the events and writings in the order that they actually occurred. To show you what I mean, here's an excerpt of the description that appears on the back cover:
In The One Year Chronological Bible, prophetic books are interwoven with the historical accounts they accompanied. Psalms follow the events about which they were written. Proverbs are placed in the time frame in which they were compiled. The life of Christ is woven into one moving story. And Paul's letters to the young churches in the first century are integrated into the book of Acts.
I have found this to be a helpful way to read through the whole Bible in a year. Another way is to read Scripture straight through in its usual lay-out, book by book, from Genesis through Revelation. This can be done by reading 3 chapters a day for Monday through Saturday, and then 5 chapters on Sunday. Do this, and you'll be done about a week before the year is over (which allows a little time for catch-up, in case you need it).
I only read the Bible through every other year. I like to use the alternate years to read smaller portions of Scripture in greater detail. Sometimes a single verse impacts me more than several chapters. Nevertheless, I always find myself at the end of that alternate year itching to get back to reading the whole Bible through once again.
As I finished up my year's reading this morning, I was deeply touched by the power of God's Word, and its ability to break and build up this fickle heart of mine. Also as a preacher, I realized afresh how powerless I am to change lives by my own words. No wonder Paul told Timothy, "Preach the Word!" That's where the power is. And God has chosen to use the foolishness of preaching (weak man proclaiming God's Truth) to save those who believe (1 Cor. 1:21).
Our Savior reminded us in the midst of His own temptation, "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God" (Matt. 4:4; cf. Deut. 8:3). May we, like Job, treasure the words of God's mouth more than our necessary food (Job 23:12).