Advanced Bible Reading Plans
We recommend undertaking these advanced plans only after reading through the entire Bible at least twice.
There are many good methods when approaching advanced Bible reading, so in this chapter, we’ll offer a couple of plans that you may customize for your own needs. We also welcome comments and suggestions if you have a plan that you’d like to share.
Advanced Reading Plan Suggestions:
For those at the advanced level, we recommend continuing to read thru the entire Bible utilizing the 365 Day Reading Plan or similar, but add some of the supplemental readings listed below (or develop your own). For example, you might follow your “thru the Bible” plan for one month, then read the Book of James thru each day for a week, then continue your “thru the Bible” where you left off. We recommend dividing your time between a “thru the Bible” plan and any supplemental readings that time allows, but also ensure that every book of the Bible is read at least once every two years.
An easy alternate is to follow our Two Year Reading Plan. This plan allows the reader to cover the entire Old Testament once, and the New Testament plus the OT books of Psalms and Proverbs twice over a two year period. Since this takes less time per day as the one year plan, you should be able to add supplemental readings without breaking from your daily plan.
Examples of Supplemental Bible Readings:
| 1 John | Read thru each day for one week. | Great book on the love of God, assurance of salvation and spiritual growth. |
| James | Read thru each day for one week. | Practical book with emphasis on ethics, obedience, and works as "evidence" of our salvation |
| Gospel of Mark | Read twice (1-2 chapters a day) | Gospel book provides the "Readers Digest" version of the life and teachings of Jesus |
| Gospel of John | Read twice (1-2 chapters a day) | Gospel with emphasis on the deity of Christ and his mission on earth. Read chapters 14-17 several times. |
| Shorter Epistles of Paul | Read each in one or two days | Paul’s letters to various churches or fellow Christians. Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1&2Thessalonians, 1&2Timothy, Titus and Philemon |
| Paul’s Prison Letters | Read two chapters a day (one week) | Condensed book of Paul’s Theology. |
| Hebrews | Read once, a few chapters a day | Main theme is the absolute supremacy and sufficiency of Jesus Christ. Contrasts old and new covenants. |
| Gospel of Luke | Read a few chapters a day | The most detailed of the Gospels, emphasizing the humanity of Jesus. |
| Acts | Read once, a few chapters a day | Pentecost and the History of the Early Church |
| 2 Peter | Read each day for 7 days | Letter to stimulate Christian growth, combat false teachings, and how to live in view of Christ’s certain return. |
| Romans | Read 3 chapters a day | The most detailed book of Paul’s theology. A great book for study. Read chapters 5-8 several times. |
| Proverbs | Read one chapter a day for a month | OT wisdom book. |
| Psalms | Read a chapter a day | OT wisdom book. I usually read a chapter prior to my other readings. |
| Gospel of Matthew | Read a few chapters a day | Gospel written to the Jews to prove that Jesus was the promised Messiah of the Jewish Scriptures (OT) |
| Selected Epistles | Read entire book every day for two to four weeks | A great way to develop a thorough knowledge of a certain book. I recommend trying this with Ephesians (Paul’s condensed theology), Philippians (epistle of joy written from prison), Colossians, James, 1John, 2 Peter and others. |
| Gospel of Luke | Read once, a few chapters a day | The most detailed of the Gospels, emphasizing the humanity of Jesus. |
Suggested Extra-Biblical Readings:
| Creeds & Confessions | Varies | We believe the Creeds, Confessions and Catechisms are some of the most important texts that you can study, other than the Bible Itself. |
| Bible Study Tools | As Required | We suggest consulting Bible Commentaries, Dictionaries, Encyclopedias, etc, as needed. |
| Christian Literature | Varies | We suggest reading Christian Classics along with scholarly books on Theology, Apologetics, Bible Doctrine, and Christian History as well as Christian living. |