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But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen. – 2 Peter 3:18
Many people feel lost when they open the Bible, and you might be one of them, feeling as if you need special knowledge to understand it.
Ashley D. Wille understands this struggle completely. In her book My Journey Through the Cross, she shares how she had to break through false ways of thinking to find God, with the very first step in that journey opening the Book. The best Bible reading plan for spiritual growth comes from reading it.
Partially based on Wille’s own journey, this article offers a specific plan for growing in grace every single day, helping you move from confusion to confidence.
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Growing in Grace and Knowledge
The goal is not to read fast but to stay steady. Many people start in Genesis and get stuck in the long lists of names.
A much better way exists.
This plan mixes the Old and New Testaments so you do not get bored while also focusing on deepening spiritual understanding rather than just finishing pages.
When you read this way, the words stop being ancient history and start speaking directly to your heart.
Ashley Wille writes honestly about her own life, discussing what it was like being a struggling wife and a searching mother. Her story proves that God meets us in the mess, not just in the perfect moments.
Reading the Bible is how we learn to see His hand in those “difficult climbs,” as she calls them.
A Simple Three-Day Rhythm for Reading
The best plans remove the pressure to be perfect. The plan inspired by Wille’s journey uses a three-day rhythm, which stands out from the usual mold and does not assign seven days a week. Instead, you read for three days, and then you have a day to catch up or rest, nurturing wisdom and faith without the guilt of missing a day.
- Day 1: The Psalm. Start with a Psalm, songs, and prayers that show real human emotions, such as fear, joy, and anger. Read one Psalm slowly.
- Day 2: The Gospel. Move to a chapter in Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John. These books tell the story of Jesus, showing us how Jesus treated people, and teach us how to live.
- Day 3: The Letter. Read a chapter from books like Romans or Ephesians. These letters explain why we believe what we believe.
Ashley Wille notes that true satisfaction always seemed “just out of reach” until she found her soul satiated in God. This three-day rhythm keeps God within reach every week: a lifelong learning journey, not a race to the finish line.
If you miss a week, don’t start over and just pick up on today’s date. Grace means we keep moving forward even when we stumble.
How to Read for Development Through Grace
Reading is only half the work. The other half is letting the words change you, as we call it, through grace, which means allowing the Holy Spirit to improve your character.
To do this, you need a notebook or a note on your phone. Before you read from Scripture, ask one simple question: “What is God trying to say to me?”
In My Journey Through the Cross, Wille explains that many of her beliefs about God were wrong. The Bible is the only place we find the truth about who God really is. If you think God is angry, read the Gospels to see His patience; and if you think God is far away, read the Psalms where He is a Shelter.
The Bible is there to correct our faults and misconceptions.
Here is a practical method called The Pause.
- Read the assigned chapter.
- Pick one verse that stands out.
- Write it down in your own simple words.
- Pray that one verse back to God.
Reading becomes talking with God, where you are not just gaining Biblical knowledge; you are building a friendship.
Development through grace happens in these small, quiet moments of honesty. Do not worry if you do not understand everything, and just focus on the one thing you do understand and live that out today.
Practical Tools for the Journey of Faith
You do not need an expensive library to commit to a journey of faith. You just need a Bible you can understand. If the old English of the King James Version is hard to read, try the New Living Translation (NLT) or the International Children’s Bible because these use everyday words.
Many people find it helpful to listen to the Bible. You can download a free app like YouVersion. There, you can listen to a chapter while you drive or fold laundry, which is a great way to grow if you are a busy parent or worker.
As one guide notes, consistency is the goal, not speed. Listening counts as reading! God speaks through the sound of His Word just as much as the sight of it.
Finally, find a friend to accompany you on your journey. Tell one person you are doing this three-day plan, and send them a text about what you read to deepen theirspiritual understanding, because two people always see more than one.
Jesus promised that when two or three gather in His name, He is there.
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Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.– 2 Timothy 2:15
You are ready to start, and you have the plan and the tools; the only thing missing is your “yes.”
Remember, this is about growing in grace, not checking off boxes. Be patient with yourself. Some days, the words will leap off the page. On other days, you will feel tired. Show up anyway.
That is how faith grows strong.
Ashley D. Wille took the difficult climb, and she found that God was faithful. He will be faithful to you, too. Do not let another year pass where the Bible sits on the shelf collecting dust. Open it. Read it. Live it.
Buy My Journey Through the Cross by Ashley D. Wille and start your own transformation.
