You might be coming into the new year with a skip in your step or barely making it to the finish line. For me, this year feels like both at once—wearied by the busyness of life and the grind of ministry but prayerfully expectant for what the Lord has in store for the year ahead.

As part of my year-end reflection, I usually carve out time for prayer and planning. I’ve learned I work best with a written game plan for the year ahead, even if I tend to be more ambitious than realistic. A few years ago, I moved away from making resolutions and instead opted for making a rule of life. I focus on the habits and commitments (daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly) that make up my life in every domain. Doubtless I have goals I set up for each area, but I find it much more helpful to focus on systems and habits (a key influence for me is James Clear’s Atomic Habits) than merely unattainable aspirations.

In The Power of Habit, Charles Duhigg advocates for what he terms “keystone habits.” These have a cascading effect on other habits. John Piper recently said, “I have never met a mature, fruitful, strong, spiritually discerning Christian who is not full of Scripture, devoted to regular meditation on Scripture, and given to storing it in the heart through Bible memorization.” There is more to the Christian life than Bible reading but not less. Done well and consistently—even (or especially) when we don’t feel like doing it—the decision to regularly make time to commune with the Lord through his Word can powerfully shape our affections, convict of us of sin, spur us toward evangelism, draw us closer to other believers, and more. In short, Bible reading can be a keystone habit in your life.

Whether you’re on an ambitious six-month, two-year, or anything-in-between plan, you might find inspiration from our assembled list of suggested Bible reading plans. Many things will change in the coming year, but the most important things will not. The Lord promises to look to those who are humble and contrite in spirit and who tremble at his Word (Isa. 66:2).