If you’ve wanted to do a Bible in a year plan—without getting overwhelmed, behind, or quitting by Leviticus—friend, this is for you.
But can we also agree that the world is loud? Hustle is the default. Your phone is basically a slot machine. And even when we want to read the Bible, it can feel like one more thing on the list… or like you need a theology degree to understand what you just read.
That’s why I’m sharing my favorite Bible-in-a-year plan: The Bible Recap with Tara-Leigh Cobble. I did it (partially) last year, and I’m going to do it all the way through this year, because it’s the first plan I’ve used that truly helped me read, understand, and stay consistent without making it complicated.
And here’s the heart behind it for me: I love fiction. I can devour thousands and thousands of pages of stories… and I felt it on my heart like a gentle (but very firm) nudge: If I can read all that, I can read about 2,000 pages of God’s Word—the most important content I could ever consume.
So if you’ve been craving a simpler, steadier way to be in Scripture too, this is for you.
Why I Needed A Plan (And Not Just Good Intentions)
I researched a lot of plans. Some were a real struggle. Some Bible editions were a real struggle. (If you know, you know.) And I realized I didn’t need a plan that sounded impressive, I needed a plan I would actually do on real-life days.
The Bible Recap is built for that. It follows a chronological Bible reading plan and pairs it with a short daily recap that helps you understand what you read.
And because it’s consistent and bite-sized, it feels like a small sacrifice… not a life overhaul.
What Makes The Bible Recap So Easy To Stick With
Here are the features that made me a believer (and kept me coming back):
Daily Reading Is About 10–15 Minutes
Tara-Leigh’s “Start” page notes that each day’s Bible reading is around 12 minutes, and the recap is about 8 minutes.
That’s it.
And honestly? In a world that praises hustle, choosing 10–15 minutes of quiet is an act of holy resistance. It’s saying, “I don’t have to earn rest. I can receive it.”
You Can Read, Listen, Or Go Deeper
This is one reason I love it: you can do it in the format that fits your season.
- If you like to read, the recaps. (Here’s the book.)
- If you like to listen, you can play the recap as you drive, fold laundry, or walk.
- If you want to study deeper, there are companion resources (more on that below).
TBR is offered in multiple forms—book, podcast, and video.
The Recaps Make The Bible Feel Understandable (Instead Of Intimidating)
Have you ever finished a Bible reading and thought, “What did I just read?” Same. Tara-Leigh’s recaps highlight key themes and help you see the bigger picture in a casual, easy-to-understand way.
It’s like having a guide next to you whispering, “Here’s what matters. Here’s where this fits. Keep going.”
How To Access The Free Plan
You’ve got options—choose what’s easiest:
1) The Bible App (YouVersion)
You can follow The Bible Recap With Tara-Leigh Cobble directly inside the You-Version Bible App.
This is what I did last year for the audio recaps, and it made consistency so much easier. I also loved having a place to physically check it off and track.
2) Printable Reading Plan
If you’re a “paper + highlighter” person, you can print a plan and check off the days. (There’s something satisfying about physically marking progress.)
3) Podcast + YouTube
You can listen to the recap via the podcast or watch on YouTube—perfect if you’re auditory or you need something you can press play on while life happens.
4) The Book (And The Study Guide)
You can purchase The Bible Recap book, a Study Guide with daily questions to deepen understanding, a Journal that prompts throughout the Bible readings, Discussion Questions with weekly questions for group conversations, and more.
Last year I did the audio recap through the Bible App. This year, I bought the study book because I’m craving a little more depth, and I’m genuinely excited to do it again.
If You’re “Behind,” Here’s Your Permission Slip
You can start this plan at any time.
January 1st is not the only “fresh start” God honors. Monday isn’t more holy than today. If you start on Day 17 or Day 203, you are still showing up.
Consistency is built one small yes at a time.
A Simple Routine That Makes This Sustainable
If you want to make this feel effortless, try one of these “no drama” routines:
- Coffee + Bible Recap (before your phone gets a vote)
- School drop-off + recap audio
- Walk + recap
- Laundry fold + recap
- Bedtime wind-down + recap
Habit stacking tip: tie it to something you already do every day. You don’t need more willpower—you need fewer decisions.
Why This Counts As Rest (Even If You’re “Doing” Something)
Rest isn’t always a nap. Sometimes rest is returning to what’s true.
In a hustle culture that tells you to grind harder, Scripture pulls you back into reality: God is God. You are loved. You don’t have to carry everything. You don’t have to prove yourself. You get to be with Him.
And that kind of rest changes how you show up everywhere else.
Ready To Simplify Reading The Bible?
If you’ve tried plans that felt confusing, overwhelming, or impossible to sustain, I want you to know: it’s not that you “can’t be consistent.” You just need a plan that fits your real life.
The Bible Recap is that for me. Ten-ish minutes. Clear structure. Flexible formats. Help for understanding. And the steady reminder that God’s Word is worth our attention—especially when everything else is fighting for it.
If you’re doing it this year too, tell me: are you a reader, a listener, or a both?
Like Devotions & Study Tools?
Here are my favorites that I use (for my kid and me) whenever we’re diving into God’s word, need help breaking something down, or want to commit something to memory.
