A 7-day Bible reading plan for beginners

Mark is the shortest of the four Gospels, and it moves quickly. Seven days, one short reading a day, and you will have met Jesus in the text itself. Tick each day as you finish. The ticks reset when you reload the page, because nothing is saved, so print it or keep it open.

1. Day 1 Mark 1 to 3, about 11 minutesNotice what Jesus does first, and who responds to him.
2. Day 2 Mark 4 to 5, about 9 minutesFind the storm. What do the disciples ask, and how does Jesus answer?
3. Day 3 Mark 6 to 7, about 10 minutesWatch what Jesus does with ordinary needs: hunger, sickness, fear.
4. Day 4 Mark 8 to 9, about 10 minutesJesus asks his disciples a question about who he is. How would you answer it?
5. Day 5 Mark 10 to 11, about 9 minutesFind the people who ask Jesus for something. What does each one want?
6. Day 6 Mark 12 to 13, about 9 minutesMark 12 includes a question about the greatest commandment. Write it in your own words.
7. Day 7 Mark 14 to 16, about 14 minutesThe longest day, from the last supper to the empty tomb. Read it in one sitting, then sit quietly for a minute.

How to read each day

1. Read the section aloud or silently, slowly. Pick a translation you understand. The free public-domain translations are a good place to begin.
2. Write one line. The question under each day is a prompt. Answer it in a sentence in a notebook or your phone.
3. Pray one sentence. "Lord, thank you for ..., help me with ...". Short and honest is enough.

If you miss a day, read the next section when you can. Do not double up. For the method behind the three steps, see the SOAP Bible study method.

Why Mark first

Beginner guides suggest starting with a Gospel, and Mark is both the shortest in chapters (16) and in words. In the World English Bible it comes to about 70 minutes of reading in all, at 200 words per minute. The days above split it so that no day is much longer than the others, apart from the last, which carries the Gospel's climax.

What next

When you finish, read John, 21 chapters, or choose a longer plan from Bible reading plans compared. If you want to start the habit well, how to start reading the Bible explains the ten-minute routine.