The key to hacking your Bible reading is to start treating the Bible like you would any other book. Of course, it’s not any other book and ultimately shouldn’t be treated as one. But the problem is that most Christians are reduced to Bible reading as a kind of devotional exercise, maybe reading a few verses a day. But if you want to know the Bible and know it well, that won’t work.

1. Start reading a lot more than you think you can. The Bible is a lot of books and it’s a lot more text than most people realize. Most people are reading less than one chapter a day. At that rate, it’ll take you over five years to get through all 66 books and by that, you’ll be foggy on what you were reading at the beginning. Three chapters Monday through Saturday and five on Sunday will get you through in a year.
2. But reading ten chapters a day gets you through the New Testament three times a year. OT twice a year. For this plan, Google Grant Hornet Bible reading plan.
3. Grant Horner’s plan is a gateway drug to serious, hardcore Bible reading. I’m not saying you should use his plan – I am saying you should find a plan and stick to that plan long-term.
4. A plan always beats no plan. Without a plan, we become haphazard, flitting from book to book, and generally taking what we like and ignoring books we are less fond of.
5. Your goal is to become intimately familiar with the flow and rhythm of the stories and gain an appreciation for the overarching themes and stories of the Bible.
6. Your goal is not to analyze as you read. That’s approaching the text wrong. Don’t get me wrong: you will analyze and ponder and think through the text but it will happen organically as you read and begin to mentally store up the stories of the Bible.
7. Is there a place for commentaries and other Bible helps? Of course, but not in the way you’ve probably been told. The Bible is a continuing commentary on itself and texts will illuminate texts. But there will be times when stories in the Bible will puzzle you. Make a note (a physical note, please – don’t try to keep a thought in your mind while you’re reading). Just don’t keep a commentary open while you’re doing your ordinary reading.
8. How long will this take? Normally, about 30 minutes. Some days more, some less. The important part is making this reading a part of your daily life. And making it a habit. Read your Bible. You’ll know your Bible a lot better, but more important by knowing God’s word, you’ll know your Savior better.