A Sustainable Alternative to Bible-in-a-Year Plans (corrected)

(my annual unsolicited advice 😁🥳)

The Laudate app (completely free, no ads, no in-app purchases, no catches–download links below) offers the Roman Catholic lectionary—a thoughtfully designed Scripture reading system that works better for long-term engagement than the increasingly popular Bible-in-a-Year plans.

Why the Lectionary Works

Thematic richness instead of exhaustive coverage. The lectionary connects Old and New Testament passages around common themes. Readers encounter Isaiah’s prophecies alongside their Gospel fulfillments, creating meaningful connections that linear reading plans miss entirely. Over its 3-year Sunday and 2-year weekday cycles, it covers roughly 71% of the New Testament and 14% of the Old Testament—selective, yes, but intentionally so.

Manageable daily reading. Instead of racing through 15+ chapters per day (the typical Bible-in-a-Year requirement), the lectionary offers 3-4 short passages. This sustainable pace fits busy lives and actually encourages consistency rather than burnout.