Daily Christian Journey

7-Day Bible Reading Plan for Beginners

By Michael Smith

If you have wanted to start reading the Bible but were not sure where to begin, this one-week plan is for you. Each day has a single passage of manageable length, a short reflection to guide your thinking, and a few related articles if you would like to go further. You can read it in ten minutes or spend longer, and you can stretch it over two weeks if life gets busy.

A few suggestions before you begin. Choose a quiet moment you can repeat, such as the morning or just before bed. Read the passage once to get the shape of it and once more slowly. Then read the reflection and answer it in a sentence or two, in a notebook or in your head. Finally, say a short prayer in your own words, even if it is just thank you and help. There is no wrong way to do this.

Use any translation you like. If you do not have a Bible, the King James Version and the World English Bible are both free to read online because they are in the public domain, and many people pair one of them with a modern version. If you miss a day, simply pick up where you left off rather than starting over. Consistency matters more than speed.

Day 1: John 1:1-18

Read: John 1:1-18

Reflect: The Gospel of John opens by telling us who Jesus is before it tells us what he did. Notice the words light, life, and word. What do they suggest about the kind of person Jesus is? Write down one thing that stands out to you, and one question you would like to ask.

Go deeper:

Day 2: Psalm 23

Read: Psalm 23

Reflect: This short psalm uses the picture of a shepherd to describe God's care. Which line speaks most to where you are today: green pastures, still waters, the valley, or the table prepared for you? Say why in a sentence, and thank God for that one thing.

Go deeper:

Day 3: Matthew 5:1-16

Read: Matthew 5:1-16

Reflect: These opening words of the Sermon on the Mount, often called the Beatitudes, describe who is blessed in God's eyes, and the list is surprising. Which of the groups named do you most identify with today? What would it mean to take the word "blessed" seriously in that situation?

Go deeper:

Day 4: Luke 15:11-32

Read: Luke 15:11-32

Reflect: Jesus tells a story of a son who leaves, a father who waits, and an older brother who struggles to rejoice. Which character do you relate to most right now? Consider what the father's welcome tells you about how God receives people, and pray about anything you need to bring home.

Go deeper:

Day 5: Philippians 4:4-13

Read: Philippians 4:4-13

Reflect: Paul wrote this letter from confinement, yet it is full of joy and calm. He gives practical steps for dealing with worry: pray, give thanks, and think on what is good. What is one concern you can hand over in prayer today, and one good thing you can deliberately think about?

Go deeper:

Day 6: Romans 8:28-39

Read: Romans 8:28-39

Reflect: This passage is a long argument that nothing can separate us from God's love. Read the list of things that might, such as trouble, hardship, and danger. Which of these feels most real to you? Write the final verse in your own words as a promise for that situation.

Go deeper:

Day 7: Psalm 119:97-112

Read: Psalm 119:97-112

Reflect: This section of the longest chapter in the Bible celebrates God's word as a source of wisdom and light. Look back over the week. Which passage helped you most, and how will you keep reading? Decide on a next step, such as one chapter a day in Mark or a Psalm each morning.

Go deeper:

Where to go next

Finished the week? Keep the habit going with one of our topic guides.