30-Day Bible Overview
Day | Reading | Aprox Timescale | Theme | Thought |
1 | Genesis 1 & 2 | – | Creation of the Universe and Man | The creation is both a monument of God’s power and a mirror in which we see His wisdom. |
2 | Gen 3 & 4 | – | Entrance and
Extent of Sin |
The one who falls into sin is human; the one who grieves at sin is a saint; the one who boasts of sin is a fool. |
3 | Gen 12 to 14 | 1920BC | The Call and Travels
of Abram |
It is not enough to want to be a useful tool for God: you must be willing to sit still for the grinding that produces the edge. |
4 | Gen 15 to 17 | 1910BC | The Covenant with Abraham | God never promises us an easy time, only a safe arrival. |
5 | Exodus 1 to 4 | 1700 -1490BC | Israel’s Bondage & Moses’ Call | It is God’s resounding “I AM” that drowns out our weak “I can’t.” |
6 | Ex 20 to 23 | 1490BC | The 10 Commandments,
Civil & Ceremonial Laws |
If God had wanted a permissive society, He would have given us the ‘Ten Suggestions’. |
7 | Leviticus
16 to 20 |
1490BC | Holiness in National & Individual Life | Jesus Christ is God’s perfect provision for imperfect people. |
8 | Numbers
11 to 14 |
1490BC | The People Complaining & Spying Out the Land | Some people ask the Lord to guide them; then they grab the steering wheel back. |
9 | Deuteronomy
5 to 7 |
1450BC | Measures of Obedience | Most of modern man’s troubles stem from too much time on his hands and not enough time on his knees. |
10 | Joshua 6 to 8 | 1450BC | Beginning the Conquest | No matter what others think, it is never foolish to obey God. |
11 | Judges 1 to 3 | 1425BC | Israel in the Land – Military & Spiritual Failure | Be careful that your victories do not bring with them the seeds of future defeats. |
12 | 1 Samuel
16 to 19 |
1060BC | David in the Court
of Saul |
Learn to see your problems as ‘uncircumcised Philistines’. Face them with courage and faith. |
13 | 2 Sam 6 to 10 | 1040BC | David’s United and Expanding Nation | Choosing the expedient way instead of the obedient way can be a hindrance to your furtherance. |
14 | 1 Kings 1 to 4 | 1015BC | Solomon’s Rise to Glory | One way to build spiritual strength is to commit God’s Word to memory. |
15 | 1 Kings 5 to 8 | 1000BC | Solomon’s Temple | When you don’t know what or how to pray, think about who God is, and let your thoughts of Him guide as you speak to Him. |
16 | 1 Kings 12 to 14 | 975BC | A Nation Torn in Two | One step of obedience is better than a hundred sermons. |
17 | Ezekiel 8 to 11 | 600BC | Departing Glory | No church building, however, spectacular, has any value at all unless God’s presence is there. |
18 | Habakkuk | 600 BC | The Just Shall Live by Faith | Don’t be afraid to bring your hard questions to God. But be prepared for a shock when He answers them … and the possibility that He may not answer them all. |
19 | 2 Chronicles
34 to 36 |
600BC | Judah’s Last Days | Some people never change their opinion because, after all, it has been in the family for generations. |
20 | Jeremiah
31 to 34 |
600BC | New Covenant Promises | The answer to God’s question, “Is anything too hard for me?” is still “No!” |
21 | Matthew 1 & 2 | Before AD 4 | Arrival of the Messiah | Faith is the starting point of obedience |
22 | Mat 6 to 7 | AD30 | Teaching by the Messiah | Whatever other philosophers may have been, Jesus alone absolutely practiced what He preached. |
23 | Mat 8 & 9 | AD30 | Healing by the Messiah | It costs to follow Jesus Christ, but it costs more not to. |
24 | Mat 24 & 25 | AD33 | Prophecies by the Messiah | Be wary, for we too are vulnerable to the attitudes that ensnared the Pharisees. |
25 | Mat 26 to 28 | AD33 | The Work of the Messiah | From Christ’s death flow all our hopes. |
26 | Acts 3 & 4 | AD33 | The Church Empowered | The Christian is bred by the Word and he must be fed by it. |
27 | Romans 1 to 3 | AD60 | Problem of Unrighteousness | We do not so much ‘break’ God’s laws, as break ourselves upon them. |
28 | Rom 4 | AD60 | Provision of Righteousness | Those who deserve love the least are the ones who need it the most. |
29 | 1 Corinthians 15 | AD60 | Perspectives on the Resurrection | Thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. |
30 | Revelation
20 to 21 |
AD90 | Doom of the Devil and Death … Delight of the New Heaven and Earth | Satan never fears the Christian whose Bible is covered with dust. |
The object of this Bible reading plan is to give merely a brief chronological outline of its contents. Not included, but highly recommended at any time, is the reading of the Psalms and Proverbs which speak to our daily experiences and needs.
Reading the 39 books of the Old Testament and 27 books of the New Testament (1189 chapters) can be achieved within a year by reading 4 chapters a day. Contact us if you’d like help with a structured reading plan.