30-Day Bible Reading Plan For New Christians

READING THE BIBLE

This often-intimidating, large collection of books can seem daunting at first, but it’s all in how you approach it and what you do with it afterwards. When you take the time to read and reflect on the truth of God’s Word, you’re setting yourself up for success as you apply it to your life.

So, where and how do you get started? We recommend that you start with the New Testament. Try reading through the following books in this order: John, Mark, Philippians, Galatians, James, Ephesians, Matthew, Colossians, and Romans. Reading about the life of Christ and the early church is the best way to understand the Christian life and God’s intention for humanity.

As you read, ask yourself: What is happening in this story? What is it telling me? How can I apply that to my life this week? Then, ask God to show you specific thoughts or beliefs that are holding you back from growing as a Christian. Take a moment to pray for the strength to trust his truth, even when it seems difficult.

It’s often helpful to write about what God is teaching you in your Bible reading time. Get a notebook and record your insights and impressions. As you read, write down verses that are especially meaningful to you. If you’re comfortable, share your insights with a trusted friend or mentor.

You could also read a chapter of the book of Proverbs each day for one month (there are 31 chapters in Proverbs). Or you could go through a Bible reading plan. There are many reading plans that divide the Bible into daily reading sections. You could choose a plan that will take you through the entire Bible, just the New Testament, or a specific topic.

5 MINUTES A DAY

Start with reading the Bible 5 minutes a day. Although you will probably be so excited by what you read you will want to read more!

5 DAYS A WEEK

Determine a time and location to spend 5 minutes a day for 5 days a week. It is best to have a consistent time and a quiet place where you can regularly meet with the Lord.

5 WAYS TO DIG DEEPER

We must pause in our reading to dig into the Bible. Below are 5 different ways to dig deeper each day. We recommend trying a single idea for a week to find what works best for you. Remember to keep a pen and paper ready to capture insights.

  1. Underline or highlight key words or phrases in the Bible passage. Use a pen or highlighter to mark new discoveries from the text. Periodically review your markings to see what God is teaching you.
  1. Put it into your own words. Read the passage or verse slowly, then rewrite each phrase or sentence using your own words.
  1. Ask and answer some questions. Questions unlock new discoveries and meanings. Ask questions about the passage using these words: who, what, why, when, where, or how. Jot down some thoughts on how you would answer these questions.
  1. Capture the big idea. God’s Word communicates big ideas. Periodically ask, what’s the big idea in this sentence, paragraph, or chapter?
  1. Personalize the meaning. When God speaks to us through the Scriptures, we must respond. A helpful habit is personalizing the Bible through application. Ask: How can my life be different today as I respond to what I’m reading?

THE PLAN

DAY READING DAY READING
Day 1 Mark 1 – 2 Day 16 Ephesians 6
Day 2 Mark 3 – 4 Day 17 1 Peter 1-2
Day 3 Mark 5 Day 18 1 Peter 3-4
Day 4 Mark 6 Day 19 1 Peter 5
Day 5 Mark 7 Day 20 John 1-2
Day 6 Mark 8 – 9 Day 21 John 3-4
Day 7 Mark 10 – 11 Day 22 John 5-6
Day 8 Mark 12 – 13 Day 23 John 7-8
Day 9 Mark 14 Day 24 John 9-10
Day 10 Mark 15 – 16 Day 25 John 11-12
Day 11 Ephesians 1 Day 26 John 13-14
Day 12 Ephesians 2 Day 27 John 15-16
Day 13 Ephesians 3 Day 28 John 17-18
Day 14 Ephesians 4 Day 29 John 19-20
Day 15 Ephesians 5 Day 30 John 21