Dave Miller's 2025 Bible Reading Challenge

   Reading the Bible Chronologically in 2026 This year, we will read the Bible chronologically, as it happened, instead of simply reading from Genesis to Revelation. The Old Testament is approximately 3/4 of the Bible, but we will give more emphasis to the New Testament, spending half the year in the Old Testament and half in the New.  Bible Readings :   Ephesians 2:11-3:21 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     This passage wraps up the first half of Ephesians, in which Paul spells out the gospel of salvation by grace through faith in Christ. In the second half of chapter 2, he explains the implications of the gospel, that it is designed to break down human walls such as race (Jew vs. Gentile) and other social distinctions to create "one new man" - a united church worshiping Christ. Chapter 3 outlines Paul's ministry to the Gentiles, how he expressed the mysteries of Christ t...

  Reading the Bible Chronologically in 2026 This year, we will read the Bible chronologically, as it happened, instead of simply reading from Genesis to Revelation. The Old Testament is approximately 3/4 of the Bible, but we will give more emphasis to the New Testament, spending half the year in the Old Testament and half in the New.  Bible Readings :   Ephesians 1:1-2:10 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     Ephesians is one of Paul's most important works, written to one of his most important churches. He spent more time in this church than any other, according to Acts, and saw God's mighty work there. The book, like Romans, is an explanation of the power of God in salvation. The first three chapters explain the great salvation that God won for us at the cross through Christ, a salvation that is "by grace through faith" and while it is not of works, it produces a life of good wor...

  Reading the Bible Chronologically in 2026 This year, we will read the Bible chronologically, as it happened, instead of simply reading from Genesis to Revelation. The Old Testament is approximately 3/4 of the Bible, but we will give more emphasis to the New Testament, spending half the year in the Old Testament and half in the New.  Bible Readings :   Acts 28 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     Paul's trip to Rome ends with quite a bang. On Malta, Paul was bitten by a snake but showed no ill effects, leaving people thinking he must be some sort of god. He denied that and finished his trip to Rome, where he was put under house arrest. That is where the story ends, but as the devotional will remind us, the story of God's work in the church has not and will not end.  Daily Devotional:   Without Hindrance Volumes have been written about the ending of the book of Acts....

  Reading the Bible Chronologically in 2026 This year, we will read the Bible chronologically, as it happened, instead of simply reading from Genesis to Revelation. The Old Testament is approximately 3/4 of the Bible, but we will give more emphasis to the New Testament, spending half the year in the Old Testament and half in the New.  Bible Readings :   Acts 27 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     You probably have to be a lifelong Baptist (from the more traditional wing) to truly appreciate my take on this passage. Paul's adventurous trip to Rome continues with a fateful cruise. Paul warned the people about going on the trip, and we see that God led him. The devotional will deal with this in more detail. God's protection and power are seen clearly throughout this story. Daily Devotional:  Finding God's Wisdom I call it the "business meeting" passage - Acts 27:9-12. Paul was...

  Reading the Bible Chronologically in 2026 This year, we will read the Bible chronologically, as it happened, instead of simply reading from Genesis to Revelation. The Old Testament is approximately 3/4 of the Bible, but we will give more emphasis to the New Testament, spending half the year in the Old Testament and half in the New.  Bible Readings :   Acts 25:13-26:32 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     It is an interesting bookend to the historical sections of scripture. When Jesus was born he faced the opposition of Herod the Great who tried to destroy him by committing an atrocity of unspeakable proportions. Now, his descendant Herod Agrippa, a man not nearly as great but as depraved and despicable, listened to Paul near the end of the book of Acts. He did not try to destroy Paul but found himself "almost persuaded" to Christ. Not quite, but almost. He was impressed with Pa...

  Reading the Bible Chronologically in 2026 This year, we will read the Bible chronologically, as it happened, instead of simply reading from Genesis to Revelation. The Old Testament is approximately 3/4 of the Bible, but we will give more emphasis to the New Testament, spending half the year in the Old Testament and half in the New.  Bible Readings :   Acts 24:1-25:12 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     Before Festus and before Felix, Paul testified of the grace of God to a sinner, to an enemy of the cross. Faced with the continued scheming of the religious leaders of Jerusalem, Paul did the thing he knew he needed to do; he appealed to Caesar. He'd been instructed by the Spirit that he was to go to Rome, so this was a natural response. He might well have been released had he not appealed, but that was not his goal. Obedience, not freedom, was Paul's plan. Daily Devotional: ...