What Is The Bible?
Creation
“In the beginning, the all-powerful, personal God created the universe. This God created human being in His image to live joyfully in His presence, in humble submission to His gracious authority. But all of us have rebelled against God and, in consequence, must suffer the punishment of our rebellion: physical death and the wrath of God.” From the beginning, God created us to be in relationship with Him. He knew we would need a Savior to restore this relationship. Even in the first days of humanity, God promises to send one who would save us – Jesus.
Anticipation
“Thankfully, God initiated a rescue plan, which began with His choosing the nation of Israel to display His glory in a fallen world. The Bible describes how God acted mightily on Israel’s behalf, rescuing His people from slavery and then giving them His holy law. But God’s people – like all of us – failed to rightly reflect the glory of God.” We will see many saviors come and go through the stories of the prophets, judges, kings, and heroes and heroines of the Old Testament. Each one was a partial deliverer, a foreshadowing of the perfect Deliverer who was still to come.
Manifestation
“Then, in the fullness of time, in the Person of Jesus Christ, God Himself came to renew the world and restore His people. Jesus perfectly obeyed the law given to Israel. Though innocent, He suffered the consequences of human rebellion by His death on a cross. But three days later, God raised Him from the dead.”
Proclamation
“Now the church of Jesus Christ has been commissioned by God to take the news of Christ’s work to the world. Empowered by God’s Spirit, the church calls all people everywhere to repent of sin and to trust in Christ alone for our forgiveness. Repentance and faith restores our relationship with God and results in a life of ongoing transformation.”
Consummation
“The Bible promises that Jesus Christ will return to this earth as the conquering King. Only those who live in repentant faith in Christ will escape God’s judgment and live joufully in God’s presence for all eternity. God’s message is the same to all of us: repent and believe, before it is too late. Confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, and you will be saved.”
How To Read the Bible
The H.E.A.R. Method
Highlight a verse or two that speaks to you and then write it down in your notebook.
Explain what the text means by asking questions.
Apply the verse to your life.
Respond to the passage. This may include writing out a prayer, sharing with a friend who can hold you accountable, or following through with the action you identified as your application.
Bible Reading Plan
+ Creation/Anticipation (Week 1 - 11)
WEEK 1
- Five Day Bible Reading Plan: Genesis 1-2 | Genesis 3-4 | Genesis 6-7 | Genesis 8-9 | Job 1-2
- Key Verse: Genesis 1:27
- Bible Project Video
WEEK 2
- Five Day Bible Reading Plan: Job 38-39 | Job 40-42 | Genesis 11-12 | Genesis 15 | Genesis 16-17
- Key Verse: Genesis 15:6
- Bible Project Video
WEEK 3
- Five Day Bible Reading Plan: Genesis 18-19 | Genesis 20-21 | Genesis 22 | Genesis 24 | Genesis 25
- Key Verse: Genesis 26:4
- Bible Project Video
WEEK 4
- Five Day Bible Reading Plan: Genesis 27-28 | Genesis 29-30 | Genesis 31-32 | Genesis 33, 35 | Genesis 37
- Key Verse: Genesis 32:28
- Bible Reading Project
WEEK 5
- Five Day Bible Reading Plan: Genesis 39-40 | Genesis 41 | Genesis 42-43 | Genesis 44-45 | Genesis 46-47
- Key Verse: Genesis 45:4-5
- Bible Project Video
WEEK 6
- Five Day Bible Reading Plan: Genesis 48-49 | Genesis 50 - Exodus 1 | Exodus 2-3 | Exodus 4-5 | Exodus 6-7
- Key Verse: Genesis 50:20
- Bible Project Video
WEEK 7
- Five Day Bible Reading Plan: Exodus 8-9| Exodus 10-11 | Exodus 12 | Exodus 13-14 | Exodus 16-17
- Key Verse: Exodus 12:13
- Bible Project Video
WEEK 8
- Five Day Bible Reading Plan: Exodus 19-20 | Exodus 24-25 | Exodus 26-27 | Exodus 28-29 | Exodus 30-31
- Key Verse: Exodus 20:2-3
- Bible Project Video
WEEK 9
- Five Day Bible Reading Plan: Exodus 32-33| Exodus 34-36 | Exodus 40 | Leviticus 8-9 | Leviticus 16-17
- Key Verse: Exodus 34:6-7
- Bible Project Video
WEEK 10
- Five Day Bible Reading Plan: Leviticus 23 | Leviticus 26 | Numbers 11-12 | Numbers 13-14 | Numbers 16-17
- Key Verse: Leviticus 26:13
- Bible Project Video
WEEK 11
- Five Day Bible Reading Plan: Numbers 20, 27:12-23 | Numbers 34-35 | Deuteronomy 1-2 | Deuteronomy 3-4 | Deuteronomy 6-7
- Key Verse: Deuteronomy 6:4-5
- Bible Project Video
+ Anticipation (Week 12-21)
WEEK 12
- Five Day Bible Reading Plan: Deuteronomy 8-9 | Deuteronomy 30-31 | Deuteronomy 32:48-52, 34 | Joshua 1-2 | Joshua 3-4
- Key Verse: Joshua 1:9
- Bible Project Video
WEEK 13
- Five Day Bible Reading Plan: Joshua 5:10-15, 6 | Joshua 7-8 | Joshua 23-24 | Judges 2-3 | Judges 4
- Key Verse: Joshua 24:15
- Bible Project Video
WEEK 14
- Five Day Bible Reading Plan: Judges 6-7 | Judges 13-14 | Judges 15-16 | Ruth 1-2 | Ruth 3-4
- Key Verse: Ruth 1:16-17
- Bible Project Video
WEEK 15
- Five Day Bible Reading Plan: 1 Samuel 1-2 | 1 Samuel 3, 8 | 1 Samuel 9-10 | 1 Samuel 13-14 | 1 Samuel 15-16
- Key Verse: 1 Samuel 16:7
- Bible Project Video
WEEK 16
- Five Day Bible Reading Plan: 1 Samuel 17-18 | 1 Samuel 19-20 | 1 Samuel 21-22 | Psalm 22; 1 Samuel 24-25:1 | 1 Samuel 28, 31
- Key Verse: Psalm 22:27-28
WEEK 17
- Five Day Bible Reading Plan: 2 Samuel 1, 2:1-7 | 2 Samuel 3:1,, 5, Psalm 23 | 2 Samuel 6-7 | Psalm 18, 2 Samuel 9 | 2 Samuel 11-12
- Key Verse: Psalm 23:1-3
- Bible Project Video
WEEK 18
- Five Day Bible Reading Plan: Psalm 51 | 2 Samuel 24, Psalm 24 | Psalm 1, 19 | Psalms 103, 119:1-48 | Psalm 119:49-128
- Key Verse: Psalm 1:1-2
- Bible Project Video
WEEK 19
- Five Day Bible Reading Plan: Psalm 119:129-176, 142 | Psalm 148-150 | 1 Kings 2 | 1 Kings 3, 6 | 1 Kings 8, 9:1-9
- Key Verse: Psalm 139:23-24
- Bible Project Video
WEEK 20
- Five Day Bible Reading Plan: Proverbs 1-2 | Proverbs 3-4 | Proverbs 16-18 | Proverbs 31 | 1 Kings 11-12
- Key Verse: Proverbs 3:5-6
- Bible Project Video
WEEK 21
- Five Day Bible Reading Plan: 1 Kings 16:29-34, 17 | 1 Kings 18-19 | 1 Kings 21-22 | 2 Kings 2 | 2 Kings 5, 6:1-23
- Key Verse: 2 Kings 6:17
- Bible Project Video 1 | Bible Project Video 2
+ Manifestation (Week 22-30)
WEEK 22
- Five Day Bible Reading Plan: Jonah 1-2 | Jonah 3-4 | Hosea 1-3 | Amos 1:1, 9 | Joel 1-3
- Key Verse: Jonah 4:11
- Bible Project Video 1 | Bible Project Video 2
WEEK 23
- Five Day Bible Reading Plan: Isaiah 6, 9 | Isaiah 44-45 | Isaiah 52-53 | Isaiah 65-66 | Micah 1, 4:6-13, 5
- Key Verse: Isaiah 53:5
- Bible Project Video 1 | Bible Project Video 2
WEEK 24
- Five Day Bible Reading Plan: 2 Kings 17-18 | 2 Kings 19-21 | 2 Kings 22-23 | Jeremiah 1-3:5 | Jeremiah 25, 29
- Key Verse: Jeremiah 3:12-13
- Bible Project Video 1 | Bible Project Video 2
WEEK 25
- Five Day Bible Reading Plan: Jeremiah 31:30-40, 32-33 | Jeremiah 52, 2 Kings 24-25 | Ezekiel 1:1-3, 36:16-38, 37 | Daniel 1-2 | Daniel 3-4
- Key Verse: Ezekiel 36:26-27
- Bible Project Video 1 | Bible Project Video 2
WEEK 26
- Five Day Bible Reading Plan: Daniel 5-6 | Daniel 9-10, 12 | Ezra 1-2 | Ezra 3-4 | Ezra 5-6
- Key Verse: Daniel 9:9-10
- Bible Project Video
WEEK 27
- Five Day Bible Reading Plan: Zechariah 1:1-6, 2, 12 | Ezra 7-8 | Ezra 9-10 | Esther 1-2 | Esther 3-4
- Key Verse: Esther 4:14
- Bible Project Video
WEEK 28
- Five Day Bible Reading Plan: Esther 5-7 | Esther 8-10 | Nehemiah 1-2 | Nehemiah 3-4 | Nehemiah 5-6
- Key Verse: Nehemiah 6:9
- Bible Project Video
WEEK 29
- Five Day Bible Reading Plan: Nehemiah 7-8 | Nehemiah 9 | Nehemiah 10 | Nehemiah 11 | Nehemiah 12
- Key Verse: Nehemiah 8:10
WEEK 30
- Five Day Bible Reading Plan: Nehemiah 13 | Malachi 1 | Malachi 2 | Malachi 3 | Malachi 4
- Key Verse: Malachi 3:10
- Bible Project Video
+ Proclamation (Week 31-37)
WEEK 31
- Five Day Bible Reading Plan: Luke 1 | Luke 2 | Matthew 1-2 | Mark 1 | John 1
- Key Verse: John 1:14
- Bible Project Video
WEEK 32
- Five Day Bible Reading Plan: Matthew 3-4 | Matthew 5 | Matthew 6 | Matthew 7 | Matthew 8
- Key Verse: Matthew 6:33-34
- Bible Project Video 1 | Bible Project Video 2
WEEK 33
- Five Day Bible Reading Plan: Luke 9:10-62 | Mark 9-10 | Luke 12 | John 3-4 | Luke 14
- Key Verse: Luke 14:33
- Bible Project Video
WEEK 34
- Five Day Bible Reading Plan: John 6 | Matthew 19:16-30 | Luke 15-16 | Luke 17:11-37, 18 | Mark 10
- Key Verse: John 6:35
- Bible Project Video
WEEK 35
- Five Day Bible Reading Plan: John 11 ; Matthew 21:1-13 | John 13 | John 14-15 | John 16 | Matthew 24:1-31
- Key Verse: John 13:34-35
- Bible Project Video
WEEK 36
- Five Day Bible Reading Plan: Matthew 24:32-51 | John 17 | Matthew 26:35-27:31 | Matthew 27:32-66 | Luke 23:26-56 | John 19
- Key Verse: John 17:3
- Bible Project Video
WEEK 37
- Five Day Bible Reading Plan: Mark 16 | Luke 24 | John 20-21 | Matthew 28 | Acts 1
- Key Verse: Acts 1:8
- Bible Project Video
+ Consummation (Week 38 - 52)
WEEK 38
- Five Day Bible Reading Plan: Acts 2-3 | Acts 4-5 | Acts 6 | Acts 7| Acts 8-9
- Key Verse: Acts 9:31
- Bible Project Video
WEEK 39
- Five Day Bible Reading Plan: Acts 10-11 | Acts 12 | Acts 13-14 | James 1-2 | James 3-5
- Key Verse: James 2:17
- Bible Project Video
WEEK 40
- Five Day Bible Reading Plan: Acts 15-16 | Galatians 1-3 | Galatians 4-6 | Acts 17-18:17 | 1 Thessalonians 1-2
- Key Verse: Galatians 2:20
- Bible Project Video
WEEK 41
- Five Day Bible Reading Plan: 1 Thessalonians 3-5 | 2 Thessalonians 1-3 | Acts 18:18-28, 19 | 1 Corinthians 1-2 | 1 Corinthians 3-4
- Key Verse: 1 Thessalonians 5:23
- Bible Project Video 1 | Bible Project Video 2
WEEK 42
- Five Day Bible Reading Plan: 1 Corinthians 5-6 | 1 Corinthians 7-8 | 1 Corinthians 9-10 | 1 Corinthians 11-12 | 1 Corinthians 13-14
- Key Verse: 1 Corinthians 13:4-7
- Bible Project Video
WEEK 43
- Five Day Bible Reading Plan: 1 Corinthians 15-16 | 2 Corinthians 1-2 | 2 Corinthians 3-4 | 2 Corinthians 5-6 | 2 Corinthians 7-8
- Key Verse: 2 Corinthians 5:17
- Bible Project Video
WEEK 44
- Five Day Bible Reading Plan: 2 Corinthians 9-10 | 2 Corinthians 11-13 | Romans 1-2, Acts 20:1-3 | Romans 3-4 | Romans 5-6
- Key Verse: 2 Corinthians 10:4
- Bible Project Video
WEEK 45
- Five Day Bible Reading Plan: Romans 7-8 | Romans 9-10 | Romans 11-12 | Romans 13-14 | Romans 15-16
- Key Verse: Romans 12:1-2
- Bible Project Video
WEEK 46
- Five Day Bible Reading Plan: Acts 20-21 | Acts 22-23 | Acts 24-25 | Acts 26-27 | Acts 28
- Key Verse: Acts 20:24
- Bible Project Video
WEEK 47
- Five Day Bible Reading Plan: Colossians 1-2 | Colossians 3-4 | Ephesians 1-2 | Ephesians 3-4 | Ephesians 5-6
- Key Verse: Ephesians 2:8-10
- Bible Project Video 1 | Bible Project Video 2
WEEK 48
- Five Day Bible Reading Plan: Philippians 1-2 | Philippians 3-4 | Hebrews 1-2 | Hebrews 3-4 | Hebrews 5-6
- Key Verse: Philippians 2:5-8 | Philippians 3:8
- Bible Project Video
WEEK 49
- Five Day Bible Reading Plan: Hebrews 7 | Hebrews 8-9 | Hebrews 10 | Hebrews 11 | Hebrews 12
- Key Verse: Hebrews 11:1
- Bible Project Video
WEEK 50
- Five Day Bible Reading Plan: 1 Timothy 1-3 | 1 Timothy 4-6 | 2 Timothy 1-2 | 2 Timothy 3-4 | 1 Peter 1-2
- Key Verse: 2 Timothy 3:16-17
- Bible Project Video 1 | Bible Project Video 2
WEEK 51
- Five Day Bible Reading Plan: 1 Peter 3-4 | 1 Peter 5, 2 Peter 1 | 2 Peter 2-3 | 1 John 1-3 | 1 John 4-5
- Key Verse: 1 John 2:1-2
- Bible Project Video 1 | Bible Project Video 2
WEEK 52
- Five Day Bible Reading Plan: Revelation 1 | Revelation 2-3 | Revelation 4-5 | Revelation 18-19 | Revelation 20-22
- Key Verse: Revelation 7:9-10
- Bible Project Video 1 | Bible Project Video 2
Additional Resources
Books about God’s Story
- The Big Picture Story Bible
- Jesus Story Book Bible
- God’s Big Picture
- According to Plan
Bible Reading Plan Tools
- H.E.A.R. Journal
- Foundations H.E.A.R. Journal, Adults
- Foundations H.E.A.R. Journal, Students
- Foundations H.E.A.R. Journal, Kids