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 5. John 16: The work of the Spirit.

[en] John 16

1 These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended.
2 They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service.
3 And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me.
4 But these things have I told you, that when the time shall come, ye may remember that I told you of them. And these things I said not unto you at the beginning, because I was with you.
5 But now I go my way to him that sent me; and none of you asketh me, Whither goest thou?
6 But because I have said these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart.
7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
9 Of sin, because they believe not on me;
10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more;
11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.
12 I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.
13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
14 He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.
15 All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.
16 A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me, because I go to the Father.
17 Then said some of his disciples among themselves, What is this that he saith unto us, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me: and, Because I go to the Father?
18 They said therefore, What is this that he saith, A little while? we cannot tell what he saith.
19 Now Jesus knew that they were desirous to ask him, and said unto them, Do ye inquire among yourselves of that I said, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me?
20 Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy.
21 A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world.
22 And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.
23 And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.
24 Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.
25 These things have I spoken unto you in proverbs: but the time cometh, when I shall no more speak unto you in proverbs, but I shall shew you plainly of the Father.
26 At that day ye shall ask in my name: and I say not unto you, that I will pray the Father for you:
27 For the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God.
28 I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go to the Father.
29 His disciples said unto him, Lo, now speakest thou plainly, and speakest no proverb.
30 Now are we sure that thou knowest all things, and needest not that any man should ask thee: by this we believe that thou camest forth from God.
31 Jesus answered them, Do ye now believe?
32 Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me.
33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.