Mitch Maher (of Clarifying the Bible) shared the following plan to read through the New Testament in the month of December:
First - The Gospel of Luke and Acts. Luke wrote them both to Theophilus, and Acts “picks up” where the Gospel of Luke finishes.
Then - Paul’s letters (most likely) in the order that he wrote them. Galatians after his first journey. 1 and 2 Thessalonians on his second journey. 1 and 2 Corinthians and Romans on his third journey. Ephesians, Colossians, Philemon, and Philippians during his first Roman imprisonment. 1 Timothy and Titus after his release from imprisonment. 2 Timothy during his final Roman imprisonment before he was killed.
Then - The Gospel of Matthew, James, and Hebrews. All three are written primarily to Jewish audiences and James shows great familiarity with the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7).
Then - The Gospel of Mark, 1 and 2 Peter, and Jude. Tradition tells us Mark leaned into Peter for material in his Gospel. and Jude shares similarities with 2 Peter.
Finally, The Gospel of John, 1, 2, and 3 John, and Revelation. The works of the Apostle John.
- Luke 1-6
- Luke 7-11
- Luke 12-18
- Luke 19-24
- Acts 1-7
- Acts 8-14
- Acts 15-21
- Acts 22-28
- Galatians, 1 Thessalonians, and 2 Thessalonians
- 1 Corinthians 1-9
- 1 Corinthians 10-16
- 2 Corinthians 1-13
- Romans 1-8
- Romans 9-16
- Ephesians, Colossians, Philemon, and Philippians
- 1 Timothy, Titus, and 2 Timothy
- Matthew 1-9
- Matthew 10-15
- Matthew 16-22
- Matthew 23-28
- James
- Hebrews
- Mark 1-8
- Mark 9-16
- 1 Peter, 2 Peter, and Jude
- John 1-7
- John 8-13
- John 14-22
- 1 John, 2 John, and 3 John
- Revelation 1-11
- Revelation 12-22
Features
- By reading the entire New Testament in one month, one comprehensively traces the various New Testament themes.
- This plan gives careful thought to the sequence of readings (see above).
My Thoughts
- Although a niche and very focused plan, it is a good Advent adventure and discipline.