Right after His baptism, Jesus is led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil (v. 1). After fasting for forty days, He’s hungry—and Satan tempts Him three times. Each time, Jesus resists by quoting Scripture (vv. 1–11). Where Adam and Israel failed, Jesus succeeds. He proves He is the true Son of God who will obey the Father completely.
After this, Jesus begins His public ministry. He moves to Capernaum, fulfilling Isaiah’s prophecy that a great light would shine on those in darkness (vv. 12–16; cf. Isa. 9:1–2). He preaches, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (v. 17), and starts calling disciples. Peter and Andrew, James and John leave their fishing boats to follow Him (vv. 18–22). Jesus goes through Galilee teaching, preaching, and healing—and large crowds begin to follow Him (vv. 23–25).
🌀 Reflection: Jesus didn’t avoid temptation—He faced it and overcame it. What temptations are you facing right now, and how can God’s Word help you fight them?
💬 Mission Challenge: Jesus said, “Follow me.” Invite someone today to learn more about Jesus—maybe by reading the Bible with you, coming to church, or hearing how He changed your life.
John the Baptist steps onto the scene like a voice from the Old Testament—living in the wilderness (v. 1), dressed wildly in clothes made out of camel hair and eating locusts (v. 4), and preaching with power. His message was simple but urgent: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (v. 2). Crowds came to the Jordan River to confess their sins and be baptized (vv. 5–6), preparing their hearts for the coming King. But when the religious leaders showed up with pride and no repentance, John warned them that real change—not just religious talk—is what God wants (vv. 7–10).
Then Jesus came—not to call others to repent, but to be baptized Himself (v. 13). John was shocked (v. 14). But Jesus wasn’t repenting—He was identifying with us. His baptism was a sign that He would fulfill all righteousness and stand in our place (v. 15). As He came out of the water, the heavens opened, the Spirit of God descended like a dove (v. 16), and the Father spoke from heaven: “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased” (v. 17). The King had arrived—and the Trinity was present in full.
🌀 Reflection: Jesus was perfect, but He still chose to be baptized to stand in our place. How does that deepen your understanding of His love for you?
💬 Mission Challenge: Share with someone why Jesus’ baptism matters. Talk about how He identified with us—and how we now follow Him in baptism and obedience.
Wise men from the east came looking for a newborn king. They followed a star that led them to Jesus, and they worshiped Him and brought Him gifts (vv. 1–12). But not everyone welcomed the news. King Herod felt threatened and ordered all the baby boys in Bethlehem to be killed (vv. 13–18). This heartbreaking event fulfilled prophecies from the Old Testament (vv. 5–6, 15, 18, 23).
Joseph was warned in a dream and took Mary and Jesus to Egypt until it was safe (vv. 13–15). After Herod’s death, they returned and settled in Nazareth (vv. 19–23). Matthew shows that even in danger and exile, God’s plan for Jesus never wavered. The child born in Bethlehem was not just another baby—He was the promised Savior, and God was guiding every step.
🌀 Reflection: The wise men traveled far and gave costly gifts to honor Jesus. What does it look like for you to give your worship to Jesus today?
💬 Mission Challenge: Tell someone why Jesus is worth following—even when others don’t understand. Like the wise men, point someone to the King with your words and actions today.
This phase will have us reading Matthew, Luke, and Hebrews. These books were written for Jewish-background believers and help us see Jesus as the promised King and fulfillment of the Old Testament. Matthew presents Jesus as the Son of David. James gives wisdom for living out our faith. And Hebrews explains how Jesus completes the story of God’s covenant people.
Below, you’ll find brief synopses of each book in this phase to help you understand the scope of the book and most importantly, how it fits into the full Story of the Bible.
When you click on each day’s link, you will find a link to audio, a summary of the chapter, a key verse from the chapter, and opportunities for reflection and outreach.
Matthew
The Gospel of Matthew is the first book in the New Testament and helps us see that Jesus is the promised Savior. Matthew, one of Jesus’ twelve disciples and a former tax collector, likely wrote this account to help his fellow Jews see that Jesus is the Messiah. He uses many Old Testament references to show how Jesus fulfilled God’s promises, and he points to Jesus as the Son of David and rightful King.
Matthew’s Gospel is filled with both what Jesus did and what He taught (Matthew 4:23). It includes well-known passages like the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5–7), the parables of the kingdom (Matthew 13), and the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18–20). As we read, we see Jesus healing, forgiving, teaching, and confronting the religious leaders. Though rejected by many, Jesus is shown to be the King who came to save—not just Israel, but the whole world.
This Gospel reminds us that Jesus is Immanuel—God with us—from beginning to end (Matthew 1:23, 28:20). It shows how Jesus brings God’s kingdom near and calls us to follow Him. Matthew connects the Old Testament to the New and invites us to believe in the One who died for our sins and rose again in victory. The story of Jesus is good news for all people, and His mission continues through us today.
The letter of James was written by James the Just, the half-brother of Jesus (Matt. 13:55) and a leader in the church at Jerusalem (Acts 15:13). Once an unbeliever (John 7:5), James came to faith after the risen Christ appeared to him (1 Cor. 15:7). Known for his wisdom and integrity, James wrote to Jewish Christians scattered outside Israel, likely due to persecution (Acts 11:19). This makes James one of the earliest New Testament writings, probably in the mid-40s AD—just a few years after Jesus’ resurrection. The letter is filled with strong, practical teaching for believers who were suffering trials, facing poverty, and struggling with division.
James’s main message is clear: real faith is shown by real obedience. He urges his readers not just to hear God’s Word but to do it (ch. 1:22–25). Like the wisdom books of the Old Testament—especially Proverbs—James is full of vivid pictures, direct commands, and memorable sayings. He addresses the power of the tongue (ch. 3:1–12), the danger of favoritism (ch. 2:1–7), the need for patient endurance (ch. 5:7–11), and the call to care for the poor (ch. 1:27; 2:14–17). Throughout, James points believers to seek “wisdom from above” (ch. 3:17), to pray with faith (ch. 5:13–18), and to live with humility before God (ch. 4:6–10).
In the story of the Bible, James calls God’s people to live out the new life they have received in Christ. His letter echoes the teaching of Jesus, especially the Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5–7), and reminds the church that faith and works are not enemies but friends—true faith always produces the fruit of obedience (ch. 2:17, 26). James urges believers to endure trials with hope, resist the pull of the world, and show mercy, because the Judge is standing at the door (ch. 5:9). Until Christ returns, we are to live as wise, wholehearted disciples whose lives point others to the mercy and power of our Savior.
Hebrews
Hebrews is a Spirit-breathed sermon turned letter, written to weary believers to lift their eyes to Jesus. Its author remains unknown—Origen famously concluded, “only God knows.” What we do know is that the book’s majesty is unmistakable. As Wayne Grudem observes, “The majestic glory of Christ shines forth from the pages of the epistle to the Hebrews so brightly that no believer who reads it should ever want to question its place in the canon.” Indeed, there is no other book in Holy Scripture more clearly breathed out by God’s Spirit. The Spirit’s fingerprints are evident in every line as the writer draws deeply from the Old Testament to show that Jesus is the final and complete Word from God.
Written to Christians—likely from a Jewish background—facing discouragement, pressure, and even persecution, Hebrews urges them to persevere (ch. 10:32-36). They were tempted to drift back toward familiar religious traditions (ch. 2:1, 3:12), but the writer shows them a better way. Jesus is better than angels (ch. 1:4), better than Moses (ch. 3:3), and the better High Priest (ch. 4:14-15). He mediates a better covenant through His once-for-all sacrifice (ch. 8:6, 9:11-14, 10:10). Through rich exposition, urgent warnings, and heartfelt encouragements, Hebrews calls the church to “hold fast” (ch. 10:19-22)and to draw near to God with confidence, because Jesus Himself is our anchor (ch. 6:19-20).
In the New Testament, Hebrews is a “word of exhortation” (Heb. 13:22)—what we might call a pastoral sermon—full of both deep theology and practical application. It moves in a rhythm: teaching about Christ’s supremacy, then urging believers to respond with endurance and faith (ch. 12:1-2). The letter’s structure reflects its purpose: to strengthen believers by fixing their hope firmly on Christ (ch. 3:6, 10:23) and calling them to live faithfully until the end (ch. 3:14, 12:28). Along the way, it uses powerful Old Testament imagery—priests, sacrifices, covenants, and the tabernacle—to show that all of Scripture points to Jesus (ch. 9:23-28).
In the Story of the Bible, Hebrews ties the threads together. God spoke through the prophets in many ways, but now He has spoken definitively through His Son (Heb. 1:1–2). Jesus is the final Word (ch. 1:3), the great High Priest (ch. 7:23-25), and the perfect Sacrifice who has opened the way into God’s presence (ch. 10:19-20). By His death and resurrection, we have a cleansed conscience (ch. 9:14), a new covenant (ch. 8:10-12), and a living hope (ch. 6:19). Hebrews calls us to run the race with endurance (ch. 12:1), to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus (ch. 12:2), and to encourage one another until He returns in glory (ch. 10:24-25).
Matthew begins his Gospel by showing that Jesus is the long-awaited Messiah. The genealogy connects Jesus to both Abraham and David, proving He is the fulfillment of God’s promises (vv. 1–17; cf. Gen. 12:1–3; 2 Sam. 7:12–16). But Jesus’s family tree is full of surprises—Gentiles, sinners, and the unexpected. His arrival is good news for all people, not just the powerful or perfect.
Then Matthew tells us how Jesus was born. Mary became pregnant by the power of the Holy Spirit, not by natural means (v. 18). Joseph planned to quietly end their engagement, but an angel appeared and told him not to be afraid (vv. 19–21). The child would be named Jesus because He would save His people from their sins (v. 21). He would also be called Immanuel, which means “God with us” (v. 23; cf. Isa. 7:14). Joseph obeyed, and Jesus was born just as God had planned (vv. 24–25).
🌀 Reflection: Even in the hard parts of your story, God is at work. How does seeing Jesus’ family tree remind you that God uses broken people to carry out His perfect plan?
💬 Mission Challenge: Share with someone today how Jesus’ name means “the Lord saves.” Ask them if they know why He came—and gently share the good news that He came to save us.
As Paul closes his letter, he gives a sobering warning to watch out for those who cause division and promote teachings that go against sound doctrine (v. 17). These individuals, driven by selfish appetites, use smooth talk and flattery to deceive the naive (v. 18). But Paul urges the church to be wise in what is good and innocent in what is evil, confident that God will soon crush Satan under their feet (vv. 19–20; cf. Gen. 3:15).
A brief set of greetings from Paul’s companions (vv. 21–23), including Timothy and Tertius (Paul’s scribe), reminds us that Paul ministered within a community of believers. Finally, Paul ends with a beautiful doxology, praising the God who strengthens His people through the gospel, the mystery once hidden but now revealed to the nations through Scripture to bring about the obedience of faith (vv. 25–26). All glory belongs to the only wise God, forever through Jesus Christ (v. 27).
🎯 Theme: Be alert to division and deception, cling to the gospel, and glorify the God who saves through Christ.
🌀 Reflection: The gospel that began with God’s promise in Genesis ends here with a shout of praise. Are your eyes open to falsehood, and is your heart anchored in the glory of Christ?
💬 Mission Challenge: Ask God to show you someone who may be spiritually naive or wavering, and gently guide them back to the truth of the gospel (v. 18; Gal. 6:1). Boldly declare Romans 16:27 in your own words to someone today.
Paul ends his letter by commending and greeting a diverse group of believers who have labored faithfully for the gospel. He introduces Phoebe, a servant of the church and a generous supporter of many, likely the one delivering this letter (vv. 1–2). He honors Priscilla and Aquila, who risked their lives for him, and acknowledges house churches, early converts like Epaenetus, hard workers like Mary and Persis, and fellow prisoners Andronicus and Junia, who were in Christ before Paul (vv. 3–13).
Many names reflect a wide range of backgrounds—men and women, Jews and Gentiles, slaves and free—showcasing the unity of the church in Christ. Paul’s repeated affirmations (“beloved,” “fellow worker,” “approved in Christ”) highlight how gospel faithfulness is measured not by status but by service (vv. 8–12). He ends with a call to greet one another with a holy kiss and reminds them of the love of the wider church (vv. 16).🎯 Theme: Christian fellowship crosses every barrier—social, ethnic, and geographic. Gospel relationships are not merely friendships but partnerships in the mission of Christ.
🎯 Theme: Christian fellowship crosses every barrier—social, ethnic, and geographic. Gospel relationships are not merely friendships but partnerships in the mission of Christ.
🌀 Reflection: How are you investing in gospel friendships? Who in your life could you thank or encourage today for their partnership in the Lord?
💬 Mission Challenge: Choose one person from your church or community who has been faithfully serving behind the scenes. Write them a note of thanks for their service in Christ—and include a gospel tract or invite them to join you in reaching others with the good news.
Paul closes the main body of his letter by affirming the Roman believers’ spiritual maturity—commending their goodness, knowledge, and ability to instruct one another (v. 14). Still, he reminds them boldly of their shared calling, especially his own unique role as a minister to the Gentiles (vv. 15–16). Describing his ministry in priestly terms, Paul presents the Gentiles as an offering made holy by the Spirit (v. 16). He boasts only in what Christ has accomplished through him—by word, deed, miraculous signs, and the Spirit’s power—as he preached from Jerusalem all the way to Illyricum (vv. 18–19).
Paul’s aim has always been to preach the gospel where Christ is not yet known (v. 20; cf. Isa. 52:15), which explains why he had not yet visited Rome (v. 22). Now, with his work in the east complete, he hopes to visit them on his way to Spain (vv. 23–24, 28). But first, he must carry a financial gift from the Gentile churches in Macedonia and Achaia to the poor believers in Jerusalem—an offering of unity and gratitude (vv. 25–27). Paul asks for prayer: for protection from hostile unbelievers, for the offering to be received well, and for the joy of finally visiting the Romans in the blessing of Christ (vv. 30–32). He ends with a word of peace (v. 33).
🎯 Theme: Gospel ministry requires partnership, boldness, and sacrifice—and the unity of believers across cultural and geographic lines is part of God’s plan for His glory.
🌀 Reflection: How might God use your life as an offering for His glory—set apart and sanctified for gospel purposes? What are you holding back that might be used for His mission?
💬 Mission Challenge: Identify a missionary or church planter who is actively reaching unreached people. This week, write them a note of encouragement, pray fervently for their work, and consider giving to support the advance of the gospel.
Paul calls on the “strong” to bear with the “weak” (v. 1), urging believers to imitate Christ, who did not please Himself but bore our reproach for the glory of God (v. 3). Rather than demanding our own way, we are called to build up others (v. 2), to live in harmony (v. 5), and to welcome one another as Christ welcomed us (v. 7). The Scriptures were given to instruct us, and through them God brings endurance, encouragement, and hope (v. 4).
Christ came as a servant to the Jews to fulfill God’s promises and to bring salvation to the Gentiles, so that all people might glorify God (vv. 8–9). Paul strings together Old Testament passages (vv. 9–12) showing that this inclusion was always God’s plan. He ends with a prayer: that the God of hope would fill believers with joy, peace, and overflowing hope by the power of the Holy Spirit (v. 13).
🎯 Theme: Christ’s example calls us to selfless unity, mutual encouragement, and a shared hope in God.
🌀 Reflection: If Jesus bore reproach for us and welcomed us into God’s family, how can we withhold love or unity from fellow believers? True Christian strength shows itself in humility and a desire to build others up.
💬 Mission Challenge: Reach out this week to someone outside your cultural, racial, or generational circle—share a meal, a prayer, or your testimony—and demonstrate the unifying hope of the gospel.
Over the past year at Christ Community Church in Grenada and The Foundry Church in Winona, we have walked through several Bible reading challenges to stay rooted in God’s Word. In October, we read a chapter of Proverbs each day in the #DailyWisdomChallenge. In November, we focused on passages about gratitude and thankfulness in the #GratitudeandHopeChallenge. In December, we read a chapter of Luke a day leading up to Christmas Eve to remind us that Jesus is more than a baby in a manger—He’s the Savior and King. From January through May, we spent 150 days in the Psalms. Then in June and July, we journeyed through Acts and Romans.
Now, we’re stepping into our biggest challenge yet: NT260—a church-wide commitment to read the entire New Testament together, one chapter each day from August 1 to April 17.
This isn’t just a reading plan. It’s a hermeneutical plan (a way of reading that helps us better understand what each book means and how the whole story fits together). We’ll follow a carefully structured path that helps us see Jesus clearly, understand the mission of the early church, and grow together in Christ.
Below, you will find links and explanations for the various parts. Click the link on the phase to see the readings for each day:
Phase 1 — Jesus, the Promised King August 1-September 15 This phase will have us reading Matthew, James, and Hebrews. These books were written for Jewish-background believers and help us see Jesus as the promised King and fulfillment of the Old Testament. Matthew presents Jesus as the Son of David. James gives wisdom for living out our faith. And Hebrews explains how Jesus completes the story of God’s covenant people.
Phase 2 — The Savior, His Church, and the Mission September 16-February 1 This phase will have us reading Luke, Acts, and Paul’s letters. Luke tells the story of Jesus’s life and ministry. Acts shows how the gospel spread through the early church — especially through Paul’s missionary journeys. Then we will walk through Paul’s letters (in the order he likely wrote them) so we can learn the same doctrine and practices as given to the early church.
Luke (September 16-October 9)
Acts (October 10-November 6)
Galatians (November 7-12)
1-2 Thessalonians (November 13-20)
1-2 Corinthians (November 21-December 19)
Romans (December 20-January 4)
Ephesians (January 5-10)
Colossians & Philemon (January 11-15)
Philippians (January 16-19)
1 Timothy (January 20-25)
Titus (January 26-28)
2 Timothy (January 29-February 1)
Phase 3 — Persevering in the Last Day February 2-26 This phase will have us reading Mark, 1-2 Peter, and Jude. These (except for Jude) reflect Peter’s influence. Mark’s gospel is believed to be based on Peter’s understanding and teaching. Peter’s letters encourage faith in the face of trials. Jude warns against false teaching and pairs well with 2 Peter.
Mark (February 2-17)
1 Peter (February 18-22)
2 Peter & Jude (February 23-26)
Phase 4 — That You May Believe February 27-April 17 This phase will have us reading all John wrote in the New Testament (the gospel of John, 1-3 John, and Revelation). John’s gospel and letters teach us how to walk in truth and love, and Revelation closes the New Testament with a powerful vision of Jesus’s return and eternal reign.
John (February 27-March 19)
1-3 John (March 20-26)
Revelation (March 27-April 17)
Let’s take this opportunity to get into the Word together and truly grow in Christ one chapter at a time! We can read it, pray it, share it, and live it together!
Just Keith Harris 