App Tips

How To: Reading Plans & Devotionals

Wondering how devotionals and reading plans work in the app? We’ve got all the information you need right here.

HOW TO: READING PLANS

Here’s everything you need to know about reading plans in the Olive Tree Bible App.

Find a Reading Plan

The first step to finding a reading plan is to look through the ones we have available. Start by tapping the reading plan icon in the top-right corner.

Olive Tree Bible App arrow pointing toward reading plan page

Then, scroll through the list to find one that interests you! We pick some of our favorites to highlight at the top. Further down you’ll find different types of plans such as 7-day plans, topical plans, Old Testament plans, and more.

reading plans open in the olive tree bible app

You can also try searching for one by tapping the magnifying glass in the top-right corner.

Start a Reading Plan

After tapping on a reading plan, you’ll see something like this:

This plan is pretty straightforward—a 14-day plan on Mark. But, for our more complex plans, you can look at this description for more in-depth information. If it sounds like a good challenge for you, go ahead and tap “start reading.”

Customize Your Plan

We’re almost ready to start reading! But before we do, take some time to customize your plan.

gif showing the process of setting up a reading plan

Preferred Translation

The first question we’ll ask you to answer is what your preferred translation is for this plan. If I choose “Recently Opened Bible” then this plan would also open to the NKJV (see the translation in the verse chooser).

However, I selected the NKJV Word of Promise Audio Bible: Mark — since this plan covers Mark.

Goals

Next, we’ll ask you if you want to set a goal. It’s okay if you don’t! Select “No, I would rather take my time.” But, if you’re ready to be held accountable, tap “yes”. You can choose what day you hope to finish your reading plan on.

Here is how you know whether you are ahead or behind:

Of course, we’ll also let you know when you are right on track with your goal.

Custom Reminders

Lastly, you can set custom reminders — but only if you want to. You’ll need to make sure you’re allowing the app to send you notifications. We’ll let you know at this point if you have that turned off.

Otherwise, go ahead and choose what days and times you would like reminders. Now you’ll never forget about your reading plan!

Start Reading!

Or start listening! Both reading and listening are great ways to get into the Word every day.

DAILY DEVOTIONALS

When looking at enhanced devotionals on olivetree.com, you will quickly see what sets them apart from reading plans. These are well-crafted, thought-out books that you might think to buy at a bookstore. They all contain great content meant to encourage and inspire you. Some pick a certain passage of Scripture to talk about each day. Meanwhile, others may be topical.

On our website, you will see familiar names like Ann Voskamp, Sarah Young, Franklin Graham, and Brian Simmons. You could start on a year-long devotional plan or work through a 40-day plan with your family.

What Does Enhanced in “Enhanced Devotionals” Mean?

Think of all the customization and accountability of reading plans combined with an ebook. Any devotional that is enhanced (see a full list here) can be used and tracked as a plan. All you have to do is head on over to the reading plan tab and start.

These will appear under “My Devotionals” in the reading plan window.

START YOUR READING PLAN OR DEVOTIONAL

What are you waiting for?! Start a reading plan today and begin making your way through the Bible. No matter what your Bible reading goal is, you can use these tools to accomplish it.

And even though we are really great at accountability, maybe you should grab a friend to do this with you! Set up your plans together and check in on how you’re each doing.

You’ll never regret dedicating time to reading and listening to the Bible.

14 Comments

Randall Scharf 7 years ago

How does one create a reading plan & add it to the iPhone app for downloading ?? Also I have been using Bible Challenge reading plan & found duplicate reads (eg. day 1 vs day 197 both include Ps 119!). How can you check if the whole bible reading plan includes all verses & no duplicates?
Kerry White 6 years ago

I agree with Randall. How can I create a reading plan? If I go to the New Testament section, not all the books are there. I’d like to create the missing books at the very least for myself.
- Cierra Loux 6 years ago
  
  Hey, Kerry! We don’t have a way for users to create their own reading plans at this time. If you are unhappy with a specific reading plan, find errors, or would like to make a suggestion, please email support@olivetree.com. That will help us communicate your requests to the correct department. Thank you!
Allan 5 years ago

Hi Cierra. I see your reply stating that there is not yet a way for users to create their own reading plans. It appears that this is a desire of some users…I know I certainly would want the facility. Could this be scheduled as a possible addition to the already awesome app…and when would we expect it to be implemented? Thank you. Kind regards, Allan
- Cierra Loux 5 years ago
  
  Hi, Allen! We hear you! We keep track of requests for new features and refer to it as we strategize. There’s a lot that goes on behind-the-scenes here. So, although I can’t give you as estimate on either if or when this feature will be implemented, please know we’re taking it into consideration. Thank you!
Katie Newby 5 years ago

I would like the also submit my support for the request to allow users to create their own Bible Reading Plans in the Olive Tree app. My reason for finding this potential option valuable is two fold: Firstly, I am reading “The Complete Jewish Study Bible,” and as a result, the Old Testament (the Tanakh) is arranged differently than the traditional order of the Old Testament in most Bibles; this renders many reading plans unsuitable for me. Secondly, many churches go through special “series” where they talk about certain Bible readings or books in the Bible over a series of weeks. Allowing somebody to make their own study plan (and even share it with others in their congregation, perhaps), would keep them on track and prepared for the sermon each Sabbath.
Rob Flippin 5 years ago

I would like to express my support for the ability for users to create their own reading plans. I have used another Bible Software system in the past that allowed this and it made it very easy to set up a series and ones progress. Please strongly consider adding this feature to this power Bible Study system.
Jorge Funes 5 years ago

Los planes de lectura son muy interesantes y edificantes en la fe
Macdon Nnanna 5 years ago

Nice to meet you guys.thanks alot.
Edwin 5 years ago

Hello!

Is there a way to stop a reading plan? I started a plan but changed to a different one.
I’d like only the one I’m using to show up every day and not see the other getting more and more behind!

Thanks

Edwin
- Cierra Loux 5 years ago
  
  Hey, Edwin! Yes, you can delete a reading plan. Open up the reading plan section of the app. Then tap “see schedule” on the reading plan you’d like to delete. Next, tap the information icon in the top-right corner. The next page will show a trash can icon in the same spot. Tap it and then “remove” to delete the reading plan.
Pam Sinclair 4 years ago

I just did the ChristKirk summer reading challenge #samepagesummer and now want to set up the #totheword 2020. I set up the reading plan app to link to Olive Tree, just like last time, but I cannot find it in on the olive tree app. Can you help me figure it out?
- Cierra Loux 4 years ago
  
  Hi, Pam! I’m not sure that we are offering the next ChristKirk reading plan, but do feel free to email support@olivetree.com for further clarification. Thank you for using our app!
Scott Eversole 4 years ago

I would like to +1 the request for the ability to publish and share custom reading plans. Our congregation has a different shared reading plan every year that we work though together. Being able to share it via an app like olive tree would be great – it would probably generate a few new olive tree users too!