Bible 2025

We make the most of our Bible reading when we have a general idea of the whole storyline of Scripture. 

• As you read through the year, you’ll start to see the pieces of this big story come together.
  • Check out this podcast from James Hamilton for an overview of The Bible’s Big Story!
  • Listen to this Knowing Faith podcast on cheat codes for understanding the Bible’s storyline.
• View this outline of biblical history from Graeme Goldsworthy.
• View this Infographic: The Story of Redemption from Crossway.

We make the most of our Bible reading when we have an overall understanding of the specific book we are reading.

• Book Introductions – Macarthur
  • Read an introduction for each book of the Bible. Each one includes key information on author, date, and historical events; a summary of the main message; as well as how the book fits within the big story of the whole Bible.
• Christ in All of Scripture – Crossway
  • Read a short Crossway article that explains how each book of Scripture is more fully understood in light of the gospel.
• Look at the Book – Piper
  • Watch a short video that breaks down a particular book or section of Scripture.

We make the most of our Bible reading when we have a general idea of the genre of the book or section you’re reading. Check out this Visual Theology poster for examples.

Also, check out the following resources available in the Resource Center!

• What is Biblical Theology – Hamilton
• Biblical Theology – 9Marks
  • The Bible is not 66 individual, isolated stories. It is one story. The discipline of biblical theology seeks to understand the overarching narrative throughout all of Scripture, which can make it easier to understand what you’re reading on any given day. Each of these books is very short and accessible and gives an introduction to biblical theology. 
    
• Hope for All the Earth – Chase
• The 30 Minute Bible – Bartholomew
• According to Plan – Goldsworthy
• God’s Glory in Salvation Through Judgment – Hamilton
  • Each of these resources dive a little deeper into an understanding of biblical theology; that is, what the overarching narrative of Scripture is. These resources are listed in order that moves from most simple to more scholarly.

Consider how to engage your children in the Bible 2025. 

• Challenge your teenagers or older elementary kids to read along with you. 
• For younger elementary children, pick a few chapters each week to read out loud as a family, and help them connect the dots for how the Bible comes together as one big story. 
• For preschoolers, teach them the names of the books of the Bible and the overarching narrative storyline. 

Pick up a blank journaling Bible in the Resource Center at the start of the Bible 2025. As you read, highlight or underline things that stand out to you and that you would hope stand out to your child. Jot down quick notes, thoughts, or prayers for your child as you read. When you have worked through the whole Bible, keep the Bible to give as a gift to your son or daughter for Christmas or for a special occasion, such as their baptism, 16th birthday, or graduation.

Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy
The first five books of the Bible are the books of the law (Torah in Hebrew) written by Moses.
The Torah tells the narrative of God creating the world, God creating His people Israel, and God telling His people how to live.

It includes the narratives of creation and fall; of the patriarchs– the fathers of God’s people: Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; and of God giving His law to Israel through Moses, beginning with the Ten Commandments.

• Use: Historical Narrative Reading Guide (Genesis & Exodus)
• Use: Law Reading Guide (Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy)
• Watch: Torah Overview
  • A 20-minute video that introduces the major themes of each of the first five books of Scripture, the names of God found within them, and the covenant that God makes with His people.

creation + Fall (Genesis 1-3)

• Watch/Listen to our last Worldview Forum event, on creation and gender.
• Watch / Listen: The God Who Made Everything – D.A. Carson lecture on creation
• Watch / Listen: The God Who Does Not Wipe Out Rebels – D.A. Carson lecture on the fall

patriarchs (Genesis 12-50)

• Watch: View these short video clips by the Gospel Project introducing each of the patriarchs.
• Read: 10 Things You Should Know about the Biblical Covenants – Crossway article

law (Exodus – deuteronomy)

• Read: How to Read Biblical Law – Ligonier article 
• Sing: For Kids: The Ten Commandments | Doctrine for Children
  • Use these songs from the Gospel Coalition to teach your children the Ten Commandments and talk about how God gives His people the Law to instruct them on how they should live.
• Watch / Listen: The God Who Legislates – D.A. Carson lecture on the law
• Read / Listen: Why We Must Understand the Temple – Desiring God interview on the importance of the tabernacle
• Read: The Provision of Sacrifice in the Old Testament – Crossway article on the important of sacrifice

Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1-2 Samuel, 1-2 Kings, 1-2 Chronicles, Esther, Ezra, Nehemiah
Many Old Testament books tell historical narratives. Some focus on one individual or circumstance, like Job and Esther, while others take a broader look at Israel, like the Kings and Chronicles.

• Use: Historical Narrative Reading Guide
• Read: How to Read Historical Narrative – Ligonier article

joshua

• Read: Introduction to Joshua – The Gospel Coalition course
• As you read of the conquests and the allotment of the land in Joshua, remember the promise that God made to Abraham in Genesis 17:8. 
  • Look at a map of the division of the land to each of Israel’s twelve tribes.

judges

• Read: Introduction to Judges – The Gospel Coalition course
• As you read through the judges, pay attention to the cycle of disobedience and rebellion that Israel progresses through. 
  • Check out this Visual Theology poster for inspiration, and write or draw something similar in your own notes.

kings

• Create a Timeline
  • As you read, create a timeline as a family of Israel and Judah’s kings. Check out this Visual Theology poster for inspiration!
• Watch: The Partial Kingdom – Vaughan Roberts
• Watch / Listen: The God Who Reigns – D.A. Carson lecture on kingship

Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon, Lamentations
What does it look like to live as God has declared His people should live? The books of Wisdom are often written in a poetic style, revealing and personalizing what wisdom is, how to get it, and what it looks like lived out in our lives. 

• Use: Wisdom Reading Guide
• Read: How to Read Wisdom Literature – Ligonier article
• Read: How to Read Hebrew Poetry – Ligonier article  
• As you read through the Psalms, make quick notes about whether each chapter is a Psalm of lament, of thanksgiving, etc. Check out this Visual Theology poster for inspiration!
• Watch / Listen: The God Who Is Unfathomably Wise – D.A. Carson lecture on Psalms and Wisdom Literature

Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zechariah, Haggai, Zephaniah, Malachi
Prophets are sent by God with a message (prophecy) to declare on His behalf. Prophets remind God’s people of how they have broken their covenant with the Lord and call them to repentance, warn them of coming judgment if they do not repent, and point to a hope of future restoration. 

• Use: Prophets Reading Guide
• Read: How to Read the Major Prophets Devotionally – The Gospel Coalition article 
• Read: How to Read the Prophets – Ligonier article 
• Read: The Prophets (Pre-Exile) – Ligonier article
• Watch: The Prophesied Kingdom – Vaughan Roberts, an overview of the prophets

Matthew, Mark, Luke, John
The gospel accounts each tell the story of the life and teachings of Jesus, ending with His death on the cross for our sins, His resurrection from the grave, and His final earthly charges to His people before He ascends back into heaven. 

• Use: Gospels Reading Guide
• Create a timeline. 
  • As you read, create a timeline as a family of Jesus’ life and ministry. Check out this Visual Theology poster for inspiration.
• Read: How to Read the Gospels – Ligonier article 
• Watch / Listen: The God Who Becomes A Human Being – D.A. Carson lecture
• Watch / Listen: The God Who Dies–and Lives Again – D.A. Carson lecture

Acts, Romans, 1-2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1-2 Thessalonians, 1-2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon, Hebrews, James, 1-2 Peter, 1-3 John, Jude, Revelation

• Use: Epistles Reading Guide

Church 

• As you read Acts and the epistles, follow along with a Bible map to trace Paul’s missionary journeys and the spread of the gospel as new churches are started.
  • Check out this Visual Theology poster for inspiration if your Bible does not have maps in the back.
• Watch / Listen: The God Who Gathers and Transforms His People – D.A. Carson lecture

New Creation

• Watch / Listen: The God Who Triumphs – D.A. Carson lecture