Bible Reading Schedule

To structure your Bible reading using John MacArthur's dual-track method, you can follow this practical daily reading schedule. It balances high-volume reading in the Old Testament with deep, repetitive immersion in the New Testament.

Daily Time Commitment: ~30 to 45 Minutes

Track 1: Old Testament (Sequential Reading)

• Time: ~20 minutes daily.
• Goal: Read straight through the 39 books of the Old Testament to complete it in one year.
• Daily Target: Read approximately 3 chapters per day (or roughly 20 to 25 chapters per week).
• Strategy: If you hit a challenging genealogical or ceremonial section, keep moving. Note down your questions to research later so you don't lose momentum.

Track 2: New Testament (Repetitive Immersion)

• Time: ~15 to 20 minutes daily.
• Goal: Read the exact same New Testament book every single day for 30 consecutive days to cement its structure, flow, and themes into your memory.
• Daily Target: Read the entire selected book in one sitting each day.
• Handling Larger Books: For longer letters (like Romans or Matthew), divide them into manageable 7-to-8 chapter sections and spend 30 days on each section.

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Step-by-Step New Testament Progression

To prevent burnout, it is highly recommended to start with shorter letters before tackling major theological or historical books. Here is an ideal sequence to build your momentum over your first year:

Phase 1: Foundational Letters (Months 1–3)

• Month 1: 1 John (5 chapters) — Excellent for learning the core tests of true faith.
• Month 2: Philippians (4 chapters) — A short, encouraging look at joy and humility.
• Month 3: Colossians (4 chapters) — Focuses deeply on the supremacy and sufficiency of Christ.

Phase 2: Gospel & Practical Living (Months 4–7)

• Month 4: The Gospel of John (Ch. 1–7)
• Month 5: The Gospel of John (Ch. 8–14)
• Month 6: The Gospel of John (Ch. 15–21) — Spending 90 total days here embeds the life of Christ into your thinking.
• Month 7: James (5 chapters) — Practical, hands-on wisdom for living out your faith.

Phase 3: Identity & Doctrine (Months 8–12)

• Month 8: Galatians (6 chapters) — Defending the true gospel of grace.
• Month 9: Ephesians (6 chapters) — Understanding your spiritual wealth and walk in Christ.
• Month 10: Romans (Ch. 1–8) — The foundational mechanics of gospel doctrine.
• Month 11: Romans (Ch. 9–16) — God's sovereignty and practical Christian duty.
• Month 12: 1 Thessalonians (5 chapters) — Encouragement regarding the local church and the second coming.

💡 Daily Study Habit Tip

While you read your 30-day New Testament book, keep an index card nearby. Write down a 2-to-3-word theme for each chapter (e.g., Philippians 1: To live is Christ; Philippians 2: The mind of Christ). Memorizing these brief chapter titles will quickly allow you to mentally map out the entire book.

Would you like a customized printable check-sheet for a specific month, or would you like to explore study bible recommendations to help resolve questions during your Old Testament reading?

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