Getting Started with B90/B90+

Reading the Bible in 90 days is an incredibly rewarding experience, and definitely a challenge. So here are a few tips to help you make it to the last page:

• Make reading your daily priority.
• Remove distractions: get in a quiet place; silence your phone, computer, and TV.
• Pray before you read.
• Don’t judge your response to what you are reading: just keep reading!
• Write down questions as you read; investigate them later.
• Take your Bible with you everywhere.
• If you get behind, don’t give up and don’t quit! Use the weekend to catch up!

What are the basics of Bible in 90 days?

If we define success as thoughtfully reading the entire Bible in 90 Days, then the following elements* are essential:

1. Select a readable Bible. Use a Bible that is text-only without additional study notes or materials so you can focus on the actual text. The B90 printed Bible is a good example with consistent 12-pages-a-day readings.
2. Pick a time and place to read. The readings require 45-60 minutes of focused attention. Find a quiet place. Remove distractions. Just adding them to an already busy schedule rarely works. Ex: Divide the readings by doing 1/3 in the morning, 1/3 mid-day, and 1/3 in the evening.
3. Join a small group. Meet weekly with others who are also reading B90+. Meet to discuss what you’ve read, watch a teaching video for better understanding, and encouragement. Small groups provide accountability, staying on track, and not falling behind—which leads to success.

*If using B90+: Integrating the B90+ commentaries require about 10 more minutes of reading each day. They are designed to be read in conjunction with the daily Bible readings and provide a richer Bible reading experience.

Each participant reads on his or her own, then gathers once a week in a small group for discussion, activities, and a video lesson. Experience has taught us that accountability, fellowship, and material shared during the weekly meetings are crucial for participants to successfully read through the entire Bible.

Why 90 days?

Because most people can wrap their minds around doing something for 90 days. Imagine trying a new diet for three months … or twelve. Which is more likely to succeed? From day one, the end is in sight. Yes, the readings ARE a challenge—yet participants tell us it is a manageable challenge. And the payoff more than compensates.

Who can lead a B90 group?

YOU can. All it takes is a desire to help people read the entire Bible. Some leaders start a group as a way to ensure that they themselves do the reading. That said, leaders must commit to read along with the group. In every case, the leader’s only job is to facilitate, not teach. The B90 Leader’s Guide (or B90+ GuideBook) makes it simple and straightforward.

Why does it work?

It works for many reasons. Here are a few:

• Time frame: 90 days vs. a year (or longer) is very doable and easier to commit to finish.
• Readability: The B90 Bible uses large print, minimal footnotes for distraction, and is an easy to read translation.
• Community: Weekly meetings build support, fellowship, accountability, and knowledgeable insight.
• Support materials: B90 provides just the right amount of support materials … so participants remain engaged and focused on one thing: reading the Bible!
• A lowering of barriers: By emphasizing just Bible reading, participants will more likely recognize being led by the Holy Spirit while reading and thus be transformed by the Word.

How much reading is involved?

Participants using the B90 Bible will read 12 pages a day, which usually takes about 45-60 minutes of reading time. And yes, participants read every word of the Bible.

Can I do B90 alone and not in a group?

Of course! All you need is “a Bible and a bookmark.” Choose any version of the Bible you prefer, download this free B90 Reading Plan Bookmark, and you’re on your way. But just so you know: statistically your chances of successfully completing the 90-day readings increase dramatically if you use the B90 Bible and join a group reading B90 together.

What materials are needed?

For B90 Traditional:

• The B90 Bible
• B90 Participant’s Guide
• B90 Leader’s Guide with DVDs
• B90 Promotional Tools (Sign up for free to access)

For B90+Plus:

• B90+ Subscription
• B90+ Digital GuideBook
• Essential Snapshot Videos
• FREE to SA Subscribers
• NEW! B90+ Book

Do B90 and B90+ work together?

Yes they do! B90 Traditional and B90+ (emails or softcover book) are designed to complement the other and work together. You CAN integrate both sets of resources. When you want to start B90 and organize your small group, you may offer participants (a) the print versions of the B90 Bible, Participant’s and Leader’s Guides, and DVD teaching videos, and/or (b) the digital versions of B90+ emails, B90+ Guidebook, and the Essential Snapshot teaching videos. For complete details, download the PDFs below which provide all the information you need to get started.

• B90/B90+ Best Practices
• B90/B90+ Reading Plan

Can I do B90 online?

The short answer is yes! Sometimes it’s not possible for a B90 group to meet in person. An online group can still afford the fellowship and accountability needed to read the Bible in 90 Days. Online communities can be significant, personal, and truly vibrant. If you want to facilitate a B90 group online, here are some great (and free) online communication tools:

• Facebook Live
• Google Chat
• Skype
• Zoom

Can I listen instead of read?

In order to do B90, you must read all the words of the Bible yourself. This is not a listening plan — it’s a reading plan. That said, some people, while reading, may choose to also listen to a recording of the Bible — which can help you remain focused while you are reading it. BibleGateway has several audio Bible versions — so if you’re reading the B90 Bible, select the NIV version for listening.

Can B90 really be done in large settings?

Yes, it can and has been done church-wide, even in small communities. B90 was developed to scale up or down to virtually any size. But in all cases, the secret to success is doing B90 with others in a small group!

What denominations have used B90?

B90 is a non-denominational curriculum which has been embraced in the following denominations:

• Assembly of God  |  Baptist  |  Bible  |  Catholic  |  Church of Christ  |  Community
• Episcopal  |  Evangelical Free  |  Lutheran  |  Methodist  |  Mennonite
• Non-denominational  |  Pentecostal  |  Presbyterian  |  United Methodist  |  Vineyard

How do I get started?

See the first link on this page “Start a B90 Group” or see “Can I do B90 online?” above. They detail simple, easy to follow steps you can take to gather and begin a B90 group as soon as you like. YES YOU CAN read the Bible in 90 days — so let’s get started!

Here are things to do — and don’t miss the don’ts!

Do ask for God’s help. God wants you to know Him—so read His Bible. God will move in ways you haven’t seen before when you commit to read His Word and listen. And yes—you still have to do the work. Pray each day before you read. Ask Him what He wants you to hear. Let the rest go. This is a not a Bible study. This is Bible reading. Absorb what you can. Forget the rest. He will help you.

Do set a goal for getting caught up. You won’t accidentally get caught up. Set a goal. Follow through. How far behind are you? Can you get caught up in one week? Only you can make it happen. How will you do it? Schedule extra 30 or 45 minute reading breaks in your day. You’re on a mission—but not necessarily an easy one. Forces will oppose you from reading. God is there to support you!

Do take your Bible everywhere. Yes, everywhere! In your home, in your car. Read in a grocery store line. Arrive early in church and read before worship. Read while the oven is preheating. Read while waiting for water to boil. Read in the bathroom. Read while your kids do their homework. Institute family reading time. He will help you!

Do watch your progress. Download the B90 Bible bookmark. Print it. Check-off the reading as you get it done. Do this even if you are reading digitally. Seeing progress will motivate you. If using a hardcopy Bible, place a sticky note at the end of each day’s reading, each week’s reading, or wherever your next goal is. As you move the bookmark ahead, you’ll see progress!

Do ensure that you’re committed. Is reading the entire Bible important to you? Then commit to finish. If you commit to just reading as much as you can, you won’t read the whole thing. Don’t you want to know all that God wants to share with you? Thank Him for the gift of of His Words. Tell Him you want to open, read, and learn from His gift. If you commit—He will help when you ask!

Don’t skip ahead. Readers that do this rarely go back and read the entire Word. We are reading the entire Bible here, cover-to-cover. If you skip you will miss some of the story. Don’t skip ahead so you feel better. Plow forward. Once you catch up it will be SO worth it!

Don’t set yourself up for failure. When is a realistic time for you to read? You might say you’ll just get up earlier to read beginning at 5:30 AM. Is that realistic for you? Perhaps read after the kids go to bed. Will you really get it done or do you get sleepy when night-reading? When does it make sense for you to read? Prepare not to give in. Yes you CAN do this!

Don’t give up. If you feel like giving up, remember why you decided to start this in the first place. Think about why you would quit — is it a really a good reason? Did you talk to God about it? Do you honestly think He wants you to stop reading His Word? Don’t. Give. Up.

Best Practices for Churches

Churches are where most B90 groups take place. The detailed outline below will help you do your B90 group right.

Begin with a pilot group — say 3-12 staff and/or church leaders — that will start and complete The Bible in 90 Days prior to the church-wide effort. Use all the resource materials to become familiar with them, and meet just as the participants in the church-wide effort will meet. So, a pilot group might do the curriculum from June through August just prior to a church-wide effort beginning in September. This serves several purposes:

1. For many in the pilot group, this may be their first trip through God’s Word;
2. Often, the pilot group comes together in a way that provides an incredible foundation for the church-wide effort;
3. Video, written, or live testimonials from the pilot group can be used to market the church-wide effort; and
4. Hands-on experience helps leadership understand how the various pillars of The Bible in 90 Days curriculum and resources fit together to undergird participants’ success.

Recruit a core group of Facilitators and Small Group Leaders at least one month before your church-wide start date. See the Leader’s Guide for details.

A church-wide effort should focus on adults. If the child and youth departments want to participate in a church-wide effort, we suggest they offer a parallel program using some of the children and youth materials mentioned elsewhere in this site. While we’ve had youths as young as ten years old successfully complete the program using the resources, this is the exception rather than the rule. Those who are ready can participate along with the adults.  What will make an indelible impression on the youth in the church is that the adults — parents, teachers, staff, etc. — are reading the entire Bible. This will be something to aspire to when they get older.

Market the church-wide B90 widely for at least four weeks prior to the first meeting. Use testimonials from the pilot group or elsewhere in church services, bulletins, newsletters and social media. B90 is a great way to encourage the un-churched to come to your church for a specified period of time — 90 days. Most people want to read the entire Bible, and they’ll even come to your church to do so. Then you have 14 weeks to encourage them to keep coming back.

During the run-up to launch, register attendees so you can estimate what materials to order. However, registration should be limited to getting people to come to the first meeting. period. Let them know that — at the first meeting — they’ll be given all the information they’ll need in order to make an informed decision as to whether or not they can participate in the 90 day challenge. During the weeks leading up to the first meeting, have people register for the first meeting, but do not take money or distribute materials — until the first meeting.

Why? Because…

1. Almost everyone who attends the first meeting will end up committing to the challenge and,
2. A lot more people will come to the first meeting, since their initial commitment only requires them to come to a meeting!

This two-step process may seem unnecessary, but really it’s crucial — like courtships starting with a date rather than a proposal. During the first meeting, they’ll be given all the information necessary to make an informed decision. Virtually everyone in attendance will say ‘yes’, and some will encourage friends and family to come with them to the second meeting.

• Do not distribute the Bible or Participant’s Guide prior to the first meeting. This keeps people from “getting a head start”, then falling victim to the same hurdles that typically thwart people’s efforts to read the entire Bible. The information shared in the first meeting is crucial in helping people approach the challenge that results in successfully finishing B90.

• Participants need to invest in the B90 program. Many churches have participants pay, say, $15-25 for materials (Bible and Participant’s Guide). The investment helps “lock in” their commitment.

• Keep participants accountable through the course. The two-colored name tag system described in the Leader’s Guide may feel awkward, but it’s effective. It keeps participants accountable while minimizing the burden on leadership. When participants report their status (“current with reading” or “a little behind”) it ultimately helps them succeed.

• The Senior Pastor and at least one respected key lay leader should be visible proponents and even participants themselves in the B90 readings.

• During the 14 weeks of reading B90, we recommend the pastor preach a sermon(s) drawn from themes or topics from the prior week’s reading. The pastor can choose what’s best, or refer to the B90 sample sermons available on our site.

• Sermons from the B90 readings immediately rewards the participants. It trains them that being in the Word will help them glean more from each week’s sermons. And non-participants will wish they were, and will likely be more willing the next time B90 is offered. Also, there is no need for the sermons to summarize the prior week’s reading.

• Consider a church-wide celebration upon completion.

Scheduling & Seasons

Offer several meeting times. For instance, a group on Sunday evening at 6pm, another Tuesday morning at 7:00 AM, and another on Wednesday evening at 6:30 PM, etc. Make it as convenient as possible for your congregants and guests to say YES to the challenge.

Winter
For larger churches, it is best to start between late January and late February. This allows time to market the start after Christmas vacation. Starting by late February (1) still takes advantage of a people’s desire to do something meaningful during the new year and (2) typically allows you to finish before school lets out for the summer. Note: Don’t start a church-wide effort on January 1, and don’t start on a day when you know some of the people will be out late the night before.

Spring
An excellent season for B90. Many Christian believers celebrate Lent, Passover, Easter, Pentecost, etc in the Spring. Starting B90 in March and finishing at the end of May is a rich season for God’s people. This is especially good also because B90 can be completed before the summer months when most people choose to vacation.

Summer
A few congregations do well in the summer, but most do not. Try to start after schools close for summer and finish before classes resume in the fall. Prepare people to keep reading if even while traveling. Those who fly find this is a great time to do their reading.

Fall
Schedule so that you finish before Thanksgiving. Most people get caught up in holiday gatherings with family and friends, which can cause frustration and impede finishing B90.

Best Practices for Prison Ministry

B90 groups have made a huge difference in prisoners and prisons alike. These notes will help men and women behind physical bars find spiritual freedom.

The Bible in 90 Days has been exceptionally well received by Prison Fellowship for over five years in several states. We have seen very positive results from using The Bible in 90 Days within the faith-based dorms in the prisons of Texas. In addition to the individual spiritual growth that comes from reading the Bible from cover to cover in only 90 days, we have seen that the use of the materials has produced a tremendous sense of community among the participants. Many inmates have invited family and friends on the outside to read along with them, thus bringing them closer to those on the outside. Below are some of the “Best Practices” we have observed when using the materials in prison ministry:

• Always remember that each prison is unique; therefore, work closely with both the chaplain and warden when implementing the materials.
• Small groups are the key to the success of B90 in prisons. Ask the chaplain to select qualified inmates to serve as group facilitators. Let facilitators choose co-facilitators from within their group. Emphasize and train group leaders to facilitate discussion, not teach. Allocate as much time as possible to the small groups (at least 45 minutes). The leaders will be very comfortable using the questions in the Participants Guide, so there’s no need to add to them.
• Always be yourself, even if you feel inadequate. Inmates are usually very flexible and appreciative of the opportunity to read God’s Word.
• Don’t miss a week. Keep on schedule. Work with the chaplain if any conflicts develop within a group.
• As leader you set the tone. Be continually positive and encouraging. Keep their focus on the big picture and the unity of the Bible, and postpone (for now) questions that arise from particular Scriptures. Those can be addressed after B90 is completed. The best preparation for you as leader is to participate yourself by reading along with the inmates. Share what you are learning as you read the Bible with them. Preview the DVD for each session, choosing the track that best fits your situation. Inmates have responded well to Jack Modesett’s presentations.
• Work with the chaplain to plan a celebration event at the end of the class. It might include a meal, inmate’s testimonies, and a personalized copy of a B90 certificate of completion.

Best Practices for Communities

Many have taken B90 straight to their community and seen great success. You can do it too!

Several smaller communities have offered Bible in 90 Days programs community-wide . While each community is different and has unique resources and challenges, some universal best-practices are summarized here:

• Have a well-respected member of the community spearhead the effort.
• Enlist influential organizations in the community to organize the effort (ministerial association), mobilize volunteers (churches), provide resources (businesses or civic groups).
• Encourage all participating hosts (churches, prisons, bridge clubs, companies, etc.) to adapt the Best Practices for Church-Wide B90 Program as appropriate to their entities and audiences.
• Plan ahead. Be patient. It takes time and persistence. Depending on the size of the community and whether or not an organizing structure is in place (or needs to be formed), a successful community-wide effort requires one to two years from inception to completion.
• Upon completion, consider hosting a community-wide celebration, or, a series of celebrations open to all participants.

The great thing about thousands having completed B90 before you is knowing you won’t make rookie mistakes.

Mistakes by Facilitators

1. Failing to read yourself. Unless you’ve successfully read previously. Nothing will sabotage a group faster than a leader who fails to keep up with the reading.

2. Not holding the participants accountable. Many will join your group specifically for the accountability. They’ve tried to read before, but failed, often because there was no accountability. At the first B90 meeting, most participants will make a commitment to God to do the readings. Accountability is simply assisting them to follow through on that commitment.

3. Skipping small group discussion. Typically, 40-50% of a class needs to be able to talk about what they are reading in order to stay engaged in the reading. Skipping small group discussion can cause drop outs.

4. Skipping the videos. The lessons “reward” the participants by sharing insights together. The videos provide context that keep participants interested and engaged.

Mistakes by Participants

1. Reading without being part of a group. Finish rates plummet for people who “go solo.”

2. Adding B90 to your list of TO DOS rather than REPLACING one or more of your activities with B90. The distinction may seem subtle, but consciously choosing to watch one hour LESS of TV each day means you are REPLACING TV with Bible reading. Without making such a conscious decision, you are simply ADDING TO a hectic schedule, which may undercut your chances of success.

Mistakes by B90 Hosts

1. Not using the recommended resources. The B90 materials have been used successfully across denominations throughout the United States and in 21 foreign countries. They work. If you are going to substitute materials, please ensure they can demonstrate the same success. If you question this, talk with people who’ve used the B90 curriculum. There is a reason that they work.

2. Not recruiting small group leaders ahead of time.

3. Not having an engaged senior pastor and/or a key lay-leader.

4. Distributing materials before the first class (except to facilitators and small group leaders).

Dig Deeper with BNEXT Bible Studies

Now that you’ve read the whole Bible and have a basic understanding, wouldn’t it be great to dig deeper in study? Our BNEXT Bible Studies are a great way take a closer look at God’s ways and works. You can start in Genesis with the In The Beginning study. Over time and with discipline, work all the way through to Revelation with the Brighten Your Light study. Talk to your church leadership about launching a BNEXT study group, or re-gather your B90 classmates and jump right back in — just a little deeper! BNEXT studies work for individuals, but work best in small groups.

Keep Reading

By the way: congratulations on finishing B90! You’ve established a daily reading habit, so…keep reading. However, just as a marathon runner only works out lightly for a few days after a marathon, you may choose to reduce your daily reading load for a time. Here are some ideas/options:

• Go back to re-read portions of the Bible that intrigued you. Refer to a Bible commentary as you read. Bible commentaries can be found in Christian bookstores, online, or ask your church staff or class leader to recommend one.
• Read one chapter of Proverbs a day for a month. There are 31 chapters, so you’ll finish in a month.
• Wait a few months and read B90 again and/or host a B90 group yourself. You enjoyed the first journey—you’ll enjoy the second even more. If you dread re-reading rather than anticipating it, then ask the Lord what’s best for you next.
• Spread the word: share your B90 experience at church. Talk with family, friends, co-workers, and others in personal conversations, or post your experience on social networks.

Thank you for faithfully reading the entire Bible. We’d love to hear how your life was impacted by your B90 experience.