Bible in a Year Explained
What is "Bible in a Year"?
The Bible in a Year podcast isn’t a traditional Ascension Bible study. It’s a free audio series that follows a reading plan inspired by The Great Adventure Bible Timeline. After each set of readings, you’ll also hear a brief commentary from Father Mike Schmitz to help you take everything in more deeply.
In The Bible in a Year podcast, Fr. Mike Schmitz walks you through the entire Bible in 365 episodes—so you’re never wondering what comes next. Along the way, he offers commentary, reflection, and prayer to guide you as you listen.
And unlike any other Bible podcast, Ascension’s Bible in a Year follows that same reading plan inspired by The Great Adventure Bible Timeline. It’s a thoughtful, well-loved approach to understanding salvation history developed by renowned Catholic Bible scholar Jeff Cavins. For each section of the timeline, Jeff joins Fr. Mike for a special episode that helps you understand the background and context behind every reading.
With this podcast, you won’t just read the Bible in a year—you’ll truly understand how the pieces fit together to tell one amazing story that still speaks into your life today.
As you listen, you’ll be able to:
- Read the ENTIRE Bible
- Feel more confident about your understanding of Scripture
- Experience the transformative power of God’s Word in your daily life
- Start seeing the world through the lens of Scripture
Each 20–25 minute episode includes:
- Two to three scripture readings
- A reflection from Fr. Mike Schmitz
- A guided prayer to help you hear God’s voice in his Word
(The Bible includes adult themes that may not be suitable for children—parental discretion is advised.)
How will I know what we're reading?
If you haven’t downloaded the reading plan to follow along yet, you can do so here: CLICK HERE.
Where can I listen to the podcast?
You’ve got a few great options! We now also offer our own Ascension App, which includes both Bible in a Year and Catechism in a Year podcasts. To access the Bible in a Year or The Catechism in a Year podcast, and easily search for any episode, just download the app from the App Store or Google Play. Then you can simply start with Day 1.
Of course, the most common way listeners enjoy the podcast is through a podcast app on their phone, tablet, or computer.
(You’ll be able to subscribe or follow from within your app.)
To listen on a podcasting app, click your preferred option below to get started:
Prefer listening online? You can always do that, too—just go to https://media.ascensionpress.com/category/ascension-podcasts/bibleinayear/. From there, you can play the latest episode right away, or scroll down to catch up on anything you may have missed. You can also sign up to receive a copy of the daily reading plan if you’d like a convenient way to follow along.
What Bible should I use for Bible in a Year?
You don’t need a copy of The Great Adventure Bible (which uses the Revised Standard Version, Second Catholic Edition for the Biblical texts) in order to follow along. That said, it is the Bible Father Mike Schmitz uses for the podcast.
Please keep in mind that there may be differences in the text if you’re using a translation other than the RSV-Second Catholic Edition. Bible translations sometimes vary in word choices, and in chapter and verse numbers as well—because those aren’t always standardized the same way across translations.
What else might I need?
We also offer supplemental materials you can purchase. While they aren’t required to participate, many listeners find them really helpful as they go through the episodes. Here are the links to the product pages for each item:
Bible in a Year Companion Volume I (for days 1-120)
https://ascensionpress.com/products/the-bible-in-a-year-companion-volume-i
Bible in a Year Companion Volume II (for days 121-243)
https://ascensionpress.com/products/the-bible-in-a-year-companion-volume-ii
Bible in a Year Companion Volume III (for days 244-365 )
https://ascensionpress.com/products/the-bible-in-a-year-companion-volume-iii
Bible in a Year Notebook:
https://ascensionpress.com/products/the-bible-in-a-year-notebook-2nd-edition
The Great Adventure Bible: (available in standard, paperback, large print, notetaking, and Spanish)
https://ascensionpress.com/products/the-great-adventure-catholic-bible
The Bible Timeline Chart:
https://ascensionpress.com/products/great-adventure-bible-timeline-chart