Holy Week - Readings

A number of years ago, Gospel Coalition blogger, Justin Taylor posted a short series on Holy Week providing daily Scripture reading for each day of the week. Each reading corresponds with each day of Jesus’ final week - leading into his crucifixion and resurrection. 

It’s a helpful resource for personal devotional study this week as you prepare for celebrating the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ on Easter Sunday.

Holy Week: What Happened on Sunday (Palm Sunday)? 

Holy Week: What Happened on Monday? 

Holy Week: What Happened on Tuesday? 

Holy Week: What Happened on Wednesday? 

Holy Week: What Happened on Thursday? 

Holy Week: What Happened on Friday? 

Holy Week: What Happened on Sunday (Resurrection/Easter Sunday)?

*Note that there are two Sundays. The first marks the triumphal entry into Jerusalem, which many churches celebrate, like Grace Church, Palm Sunday. The second Sunday is of course the day of the resurrection. 

* Also, there is no post for Saturday, because on that day Jesus was dead in the tomb and his followers were grieving. But on that second Sunday, up from the grave he arose, with a mighty triumph o’er his foes!

2016 Bible Reading Plans

Happy New Year Grace Church family and friends! It's 2016!

Many Christians take the beginning of a new year to evaluate their Bible reading habits, and then change or begin a Bible reading plan. We would like to encourage you to consider reading and listening to the Word of God more throughout 2016.

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. 

Psalm 119:105

For your convenience, we’ve compiled a list of Bible reading plans for you to choose from. Maybe in 2016 you will read more of the Bible each day. Perhaps you’ll slow down your reading/listening and, instead, spend more time considering what you read. Whatever it is you’re looking for in a reading plan, you should find it below:

Grace Church Reading Plan

This reading plan is something I (Pastor Heath) continue to come back to. It has helped me grow in my biblical comprehension of the whole storyline of the Bible. The Old Testament reading plan is designed for you read through the entire Old Testament in year. For your benefit, it is (somewhat) set up in historical order and that is why you will find books interrupted in the middle with the reading of another book (example – Job will be read in the middle of Genesis). The New Testament study plans are designed to guide you in uniquely studying the New Testament by reading and rereading one book (sometimes two or three books) per month.

Duration: Two years 

Download: PDF

52 Week Bible Reading Plan

Read through the Bible in a year, with each day of the week dedicated to a different genre: Epistles, The Law, History, Psalms, Poetry, Prophecy, and Gospels.

Duration: One year 
Download: PDF

5x5x5 Bible Reading Plan

Read through the New Testament in a year, reading Monday to Friday. Weekends are set aside for reflection and other reading. Especially beneficial if you’re new to a daily discipline of Bible reading.

Duration: One year 
Download: PDF

Chronological Bible Reading Plan

Read through the Bible in the order the events occurred chronologically.

Duration: One year 
Download: PDF

The Discipleship Journal Bible Reading Plan

Four daily readings beginning in Genesis, Psalms, Matthew and Acts.

Duration: One year 
Download: PDF

ESV Daily Bible Reading Plan

Four daily readings taken from four lists: Psalms and Wisdom Literature, Pentateuch and History of Israel, Chronicles and Prophets, and Gospels and Epistles.

Duration: One year 
Download: PDF

Historical Bible Reading Plan

The Old Testament readings are similar to Israel’s Hebrew Bible, and the New Testament readings are an attempt to follow the order in which the books were authored.

Duration: One year 
Download: PDF

Reading Guide for ADVENT 2015

Advent means coming or arrival; especially the coming of that which is eagerly awaited. For the Christian church, the Advent (which is the four weeks leading up to Christmas) is a season of worshipful expectation and anticipation. Traditionally, Advent is divided up into four reflections (Hope, Peace, Joy, Love) which culminate into the Christ reflection on Christmas Eve. (We celebrate and observe these reflections through the Advent Wreath each year.)

Let’s prepare our hearts and seek the Messiah in the Scriptures this Advent season. 

Here’s a reading plan during Advent.  Enjoy.

Reading the Bible for All Its Worth

For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

Hebrews 4:12

Though it, at times, can be hard to understand, and though many people use it to bring division, the Bible is one of God's best gifts to humanity.

Dig into it.
Pursue the truth within it.
Treasure it within your heart.
Explore God's Self-Disclosure.

Embrace the Christ it unveils (every page points to him!)
And share it with those around you!

Here are some thoughts and tools to be equip you to better read and understand the Bible:

Reading the Bible For All Its Worth

Walking with Jesus Through the Events of Holy Week...

Book of Genesis - A Clip from "From the Dust"

In From the Dust, a feature-length documentary film from Highway Media and The BioLogos Foundation, renowned theologians, educators, and scientists reexamine this perennial debate, and infuse it with fresh theories, new theological insights, and an open desire for truth and dialogue. You can order the film here, and learn more about the project here.

Here's a very helpful clip explaining how to read and understand the Book of Genesis: