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

[en] Mark 9

1 And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That there be some of them that stand here, which shall not taste of death, till they have seen the kingdom of God come with power.
2 And after six days Jesus taketh with him Peter, and James, and John, and leadeth them up into an high mountain apart by themselves: and he was transfigured before them.
3 And his raiment became shining, exceeding white as snow; so as no fuller on earth can white them.
4 And there appeared unto them Elias with Moses: and they were talking with Jesus.
5 And Peter answered and said to Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.
6 For he wist not what to say; for they were sore afraid.
7 And there was a cloud that overshadowed them: and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him.
8 And suddenly, when they had looked round about, they saw no man any more, save Jesus only with themselves.
9 And as they came down from the mountain, he charged them that they should tell no man what things they had seen, till the Son of man were risen from the dead.
10 And they kept that saying with themselves, questioning one with another what the rising from the dead should mean.
11 And they asked him, saying, Why say the scribes that Elias must first come?
12 And he answered and told them, Elias verily cometh first, and restoreth all things; and how it is written of the Son of man, that he must suffer many things, and be set at nought.
13 But I say unto you, That Elias is indeed come, and they have done unto him whatsoever they listed, as it is written of him.
14 And when he came to his disciples, he saw a great multitude about them, and the scribes questioning with them.
15 And straightway all the people, when they beheld him, were greatly amazed, and running to him saluted him.
16 And he asked the scribes, What question ye with them?
17 And one of the multitude answered and said, Master, I have brought unto thee my son, which hath a dumb spirit;
18 And wheresoever he taketh him, he teareth him: and he foameth, and gnasheth with his teeth, and pineth away: and I spake to thy disciples that they should cast him out; and they could not.
19 He answereth him, and saith, O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him unto me.
20 And they brought him unto him: and when he saw him, straightway the spirit tare him; and he fell on the ground, and wallowed foaming.
21 And he asked his father, How long is it ago since this came unto him? And he said, Of a child.
22 And ofttimes it hath cast him into the fire, and into the waters, to destroy him: but if thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us.
23 Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.
24 And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.
25 When Jesus saw that the people came running together, he rebuked the foul spirit, saying unto him, Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him.
26 And the spirit cried, and rent him sore, and came out of him: and he was as one dead; insomuch that many said, He is dead.
27 But Jesus took him by the hand, and lifted him up; and he arose.
28 And when he was come into the house, his disciples asked him privately, Why could not we cast him out?
29 And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.
30 And they departed thence, and passed through Galilee; and he would not that any man should know it.
31 For he taught his disciples, and said unto them, The Son of man is delivered into the hands of men, and they shall kill him; and after that he is killed, he shall rise the third day.
32 But they understood not that saying, and were afraid to ask him.
33 And he came to Capernaum: and being in the house he asked them, What was it that ye disputed among yourselves by the way?
34 But they held their peace: for by the way they had disputed among themselves, who should be the greatest.
35 And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all.
36 And he took a child, and set him in the midst of them: and when he had taken him in his arms, he said unto them,
37 Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me.
38 And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us.
39 But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me.
40 For he that is not against us is on our part.
41 For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward.
42 And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea.
43 And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:
44 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.
45 And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:
46 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.
47 And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire:
48 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.
49 For every one shall be salted with fire, and every sacrifice shall be salted with salt.
50 Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his saltness, wherewith will ye season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another.