Introduction to the Bible

1. Two Weeks on the Life and Teachings of Jesus

Day 1. Luke 1: Preparing for Jesus’ arrival.

Day 2. Luke 2: The story of Jesus’ birth.

Day 3. Mark 1: The beginning of Jesus’ ministry.

Day 4. Mark 9: A day in the life of Jesus.

Day 5. Matthew 5: The Sermon on the Mount.

Day 6. Matthew 6: The Sermon on the Mount.

Day 7. Luke 15: Parables of Jesus.

Day 8. John 3: A conversation with Jesus.

Day 9. John 14: Jesus’ final instructions.

Day 10. John 17: Jesus’ prayer for his disciples.

Day 11. Matthew 26: Betrayal and arrest.

Day 12. Matthew 27: Jesus’ execution on a cross.

Day 13. John 20: Resurrection.

Day 14. Luke 24: Jesus’ appearance after resurrection.

2. Two Weeks on the Life and Teachings of Paul

Day 1. Acts 9: The conversion of Saul.

Day 2. Acts 16: Paul’s Macedonian call and a jailbreak.

Day 3. Acts 17: Scenes from Paul’s missionary journey.

Day 4. Acts 26: Paul tells his life story to a king.

Day 5. Acts 27: Shipwreck on the way to Rome.

Day 6. Acts 28: Paul’s arrival in Rome.

Day 7. Romans 3: Paul’s theology in a nutshell.

Day 8. Romans 7: Struggle with sin.

Day 9. Romans 8: Life in the Spirit.

Day 10. 1 Corinthians 13: Paul’s description of love.

Day 11. 1 Corinthians 15: Thoughts on the afterlife.

Day 12. Galatians 5: Freedom in Christ.

Day 13. Ephesians 3: Paul’s summary of his mission.

Day 14. Philippians 2: Imitating Christ.

3. Two Weeks on the Old Testament

Day 1. Genesis 1: The story of creation.

Day 2. Genesis 3: The origin of sin.

Day 3. Genesis 22: Abraham and Isaac.

Day 4. Exodus 3: Moses’ encounter with God.

Day 5. Exodus 20: The gift of the Ten Commandments.

Day 6. 1 Samuel 17: David and Goliath.

Day 7. 2 Samuel 11: David and Bathsheba.

Day 8. 2 Samuel 12: Nathan’s rebuke of the king.

Day 9. 1 Kings 18: Elijah and the prophets of Baal.

Day 10. Job 38: God’s answer to Job.

Day 11. Psalm 51: A classic confession.

Day 12. Isaiah 40: Words of comfort from God.

Day 13. Daniel 6: Daniel and the lions.

Day 14. Amos 4: A prophet’s stern warning.

More Reading Courses

1. Two Weeks on Becoming a Christian

Day 1. Genesis 3: The first sin creates a need.

Day 2. Isaiah 52: Salvation prophesied.

Day 3. Isaiah 53: The role of the suffering servant.

Day 4. Luke 15: Three stories about God’s love.

Day 5. John 3: Jesus explains “born again.”

Day 6. John 10: The good shepherd.

Day 7. Acts 8: Conversions spread outside the Jewish community.

Day 8. Acts 26: Paul testifies of his conversion before a king.

Day 9. Romans 3: God’s provision for sin.

Day 10. Romans 5: Peace with God.

Day 11. Galatians 3: Salvation unavailable by obeying the law.

Day 12. Ephesians 2: New life in Christ.

Day 13. 1 Peter 1: Future rewards of salvation.

Day 14. 2 Peter 1: Making your salvation sure.

2. Two Weeks on Prayers of the Bible

Day 1. Genesis 18: Abraham’s plea for Sodom.

Day 2. Exodus 15: Moses’ song to the Lord.

Day 3. Exodus 33: Moses meets with God.

Day 4. 2 Samuel 7: David’s response to God’s promises.

Day 5. 1 Kings 8: Solomon’s dedication of the temple.

Day 6. 2 Chronicles 20: Jehoshaphat prays for victory.

Day 7. Ezra 9: Ezra’s prayer for the people’s sins.

Day 8. Psalm 22: A cry to God for help.

Day 9. Psalm 104: A prayer of praise.

Day 10. Daniel 9: Daniel’s prayer for the salvation of Jerusalem.

Day 11. Habakkuk 3: A prophet’s prayer of acceptance.

Day 12. Matthew 6: The Lord’s prayer.

Day 13. John 17: Jesus’ prayer for his disciples.

Day 14. Colossians 1: Paul’s prayer of thanksgiving.

3. Two Weeks on the Holy Spirit

Day 1. Judges 14: The Spirit gives Samson strength.

Day 2. 1 Samuel 10: King Saul’s experience.

Day 3. Matthew 3:1—4:10: Role in Jesus’ baptism and temptation.

Day 4. John 14: Jesus promises the Spirit.

Day 5. John 16: The work of the Spirit.

Day 6. Acts 2: The Spirit comes at Pentecost.

Day 7. Acts 10: The Spirit guides Peter to accept Gentiles.

Day 8. Romans 8: Christians’ victory in the Spirit.

Day 9. 1 Corinthians 2: Wisdom from the Spirit.

Day 10. 1 Corinthians 12: Gifts of the Spirit.

Day 11. 1 Corinthians 14: Gifts of tongues and prophecy.

Day 12. Galatians 5: Life in the Spirit.

Day 13. Ephesians 4: Unity and gifts.

Day 14. 1 John 4: Signs of the Spirit.

4. Two Weeks on Women of the Bible

Day 1. Genesis 2: Eve, the first woman.

Day 2. Genesis 18: Sarah laughs at God’s promise.

Day 3. Genesis 24: Rebekah’s marriage to Isaac.

Day 4. Genesis 27: Rebekah, the manipulative mother

Day 5. Judges 4: Deborah’s leadership frees her people.

Day 6. Ruth 1: Ruth and Naomi’s deep friendship.

Day 7. 1 Samuel 1: Hannah prays for a son.

Day 8. 1 Kings 17: A poor widow and the prophet Elijah.

Day 9. 1 Kings 21: Jezebel, an emblem of wickedness.

Day 10. Esther 2: Esther is chosen as queen.

Day 11. Esther 4: Esther's courage at the risk of death.

Day 12. Luke 1: Mary and Elizabeth receive great news.

Day 13. Luke 2: Mary gives birth to Jesus.

Day 14. John 11: Mary and Martha and their brother's death








Day 3. Mark 1: The beginning of Jesus’ ministry.

[en] Mark 1

1 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God;
2 As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.
3 The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
4 John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.
5 And there went out unto him all the land of Judaea, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins.
6 And John was clothed with camel's hair, and with a girdle of a skin about his loins; and he did eat locusts and wild honey;
7 And preached, saying, There cometh one mightier than I after me, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose.
8 I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.
9 And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan.
10 And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him:
11 And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
12 And immediately the Spirit driveth him into the wilderness.
13 And he was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto him.
14 Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,
15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.
16 Now as he walked by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.
17 And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men.
18 And straightway they forsook their nets, and followed him.
19 And when he had gone a little further thence, he saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the ship mending their nets.
20 And straightway he called them: and they left their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired servants, and went after him.
21 And they went into Capernaum; and straightway on the sabbath day he entered into the synagogue, and taught.
22 And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes.
23 And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out,
24 Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God.
25 And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him.
26 And when the unclean spirit had torn him, and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him.
27 And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? what new doctrine is this? for with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him.
28 And immediately his fame spread abroad throughout all the region round about Galilee.
29 And forthwith, when they were come out of the synagogue, they entered into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John.
30 But Simon's wife's mother lay sick of a fever, and anon they tell him of her.
31 And he came and took her by the hand, and lifted her up; and immediately the fever left her, and she ministered unto them.
32 And at even, when the sun did set, they brought unto him all that were diseased, and them that were possessed with devils.
33 And all the city was gathered together at the door.
34 And he healed many that were sick of divers diseases, and cast out many devils; and suffered not the devils to speak, because they knew him.
35 And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.
36 And Simon and they that were with him followed after him.
37 And when they had found him, they said unto him, All men seek for thee.
38 And he said unto them, Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also: for therefore came I forth.
39 And he preached in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and cast out devils.
40 And there came a leper to him, beseeching him, and kneeling down to him, and saying unto him, If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.
41 And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will; be thou clean.
42 And as soon as he had spoken, immediately the leprosy departed from him, and he was cleansed.
43 And he straitly charged him, and forthwith sent him away;
44 And saith unto him, See thou say nothing to any man: but go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer for thy cleansing those things which Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them.
45 But he went out, and began to publish it much, and to blaze abroad the matter, insomuch that Jesus could no more openly enter into the city, but was without in desert places: and they came to him from every quarter.