TESTIMONIALS

When my collegemate, Joe Mathai first told me about The Bible in a Year podcast by Fr. Mike Schmitz, I wasn’t sure if I could commit. Reading the entire Bible in a year? That sounded intense—like running a marathon, but for my faith. Yet something inside me said, “Why not?” Little did I know this journey wouldn’t just change how I read the Bible but would transform my relationship with God and my purpose in life.

Here’s the truth: it didn’t take me 365 days. It took me close to 800. And you know what? That’s okay.

At first, I worried I was failing because I wasn’t on schedule. But I realized this wasn’t about deadlines or ticking off a checklist. It was about meeting God where I was. Fr. Mike’s warm, authentic voice helped me see that faith isn’t about being perfect—it’s about showing up.

Every episode felt like a conversation with God. Some passages challenged me, pushing me to grow. Others gave me peace on tough days. And Fr. Mike? He made it feel real—his humor, clarity, and genuine passion brought the stories of the Bible alive. It didn’t feel like a lecture; it felt like hanging out with a friend who wants you to succeed in life and faith.

Here’s what I learned:

1. It’s okay to take your time. God isn’t watching the clock. Whether it’s 365 days or 800, what matters is moving forward.

2. The Bible is alive. It’s not just stories from the past—it speaks to our struggles, dreams, and questions right now.

3. God wants a relationship, not perfection. You don’t have to “get it right” every time. Every step you take matters.

What’s incredible is how the Bible connects every piece to Jesus, who is at the center of it all. Fr. Mike’s guidance helped me see how God’s Word is more than a book—it’s a roadmap for living with purpose, courage, and love.

For anyone thinking, “This sounds too much for me,” let me say this: just start. Don’t worry about being perfect or finishing on time. Your pace doesn’t matter; your heart does. Whether you’re in high school, college, or just figuring out life, this podcast can change your perspective.

And here’s some great news: The Bible in a Year is now available in different languages, including Malayalam. If you’ve ever thought about diving into Scripture but felt unsure, this is your chance.

So press play. Start small. Give God a little time every day—and watch how He transforms your life. Trust me, it’s worth it.

"The Word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to the dividing of soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." – Hebrews 4:12

Rating: 5/5. Strongly recommended

“[Bible in a Year] saved my life. This podcast gives me a reason to wake up every day. I know the Word of God is true and good, but struggles with depression often prevent me from reading the Bible and listening to the Word of God. Luckily, Father Mike's engaging voice and personality give me something to look forward to and remind me that we were not made to get through life alone.”

It was the year 2020, the world was still reeling under the covid horror and Fr Mike Schmitz approached Ascension Press and proposed to read the entire Bible in one year, as a podcast. They said,’Yes’ and what emerged was an extraordinary show that soon topped the charts of not only religious content but secular too. Towards the end of 2020, word had spread about the launch of this new podcast. 

I am someone who has made many attempts to read the whole Bible as New Year resolutions year after year, but never got past the books sometimes of Leviticus, sometimes of Numbers and other times got as far as Deuteronomy. That's when I heard that Ascension Press was coming out with ‘Bible in a Year with Fr Mike Schmitz’. Pressing play on the podcast app on 1st January 2021 was indeed the best decision of my life! This is the fourth year, I am reading the Word every day and am captivated by it. 

The Word of God is sent down for a purpose in each one of our lives and when we hear it, it will accomplish what God has intended, it will never return to him void. The Word is not a dead Word it is God’s word and it is alive. 

Here’s something from someone who has been on this journey before: 

Make up your mind to start on 1st January 2025 when this Bible in a Year Malayalam Podcast takes off. 

Before you start, Pray. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you what you need to hear each day. 

The ideal way to go about this would be to listen to the podcast with your Bible open and read along. On days when you can't do that, just listen. You can listen to it while on the go, while driving, when you are on your morning walk, anytime is fine as you go about your chores. When you come across something that strikes you, make a note of it, go back to it later, let it speak to you. 

If you miss a day or two, let that not worry you. Just show up the next day and just press ‘play’. Even if you have missed it for a couple of days, that’s fine. You can catch up. Just go back and start off from where you left. 

My own experience: I fell behind not by one or two days but by 45 days, the first time. It was 16th of November and there were 45 days left in the year and I was 45 days behind, which meant I had so much catching up to do. So I went on a marathon, two episodes each day and on the 31st of December, I had completed going through the whole Bible. 

Getting to Day 365 and listening to the last episode, there's no one, just no one who can hold back a tear. And that's the reason you will want to go back and start all over again. 

And when you start listening to the podcast, remember you are become part of this community of people around the world, millions of people all journeying together, and as we pray for each other, so many people are praying for you every day. Think of that!

Finally as you read the Word, let the Word wash over you, just allow the Lord to work in your life, he will work wonders for you. 

And as you receive the Word, don’t you be like the pathway from where the birds stole away the seeds, don't you be like the rocky ground which didn't allow the seeds to take root, don't you be the thorns that crush the seeds that sprouted, but be like the good soil that nourishes the seeds and helps it grow, to blossom and bear abundant fruit 30, 60 or 100 fold!

God bless you!

“Although I'm an evangelical protestant, I decided to listen. Thank you for this beautifully done podcast. I look forward to spending the next year with you.” 

“God is so good. I'm 15 years old and in 10th grade…by listening to this podcast, I can become more familiar with God's Word so that I can know him better and grow in my relationship with him. Thank you, Father Mike, for preaching God's Word and letting God tell us his love story with mankind.”