Top 5 Bible Books for a New Christian

John - To know Jesus: His identity, love, and purpose
Genesis - To understand creation, sin, and God's redemptive plan
Romans - To grasp salvation by grace through faith and the Christian life
Mark (or Luke for more detail) - A concise account of Jesus' life, ministry, and sacrifice
Ephesians - Identity in Christ, grace, and how to live as a believer

Read Acts alongside when Epistles Were Written

A reading of Scripture that:

Shows the historical context of the writings of the Epistles, which were written during the historic events of Acts

Gospel of Luke (this was written in a single document with Acts)
Acts

Acts 1-14 (Pentecost, Saul's conversion, first missionary journey)
James (likely written before or around the Jerusalem Council, Acts 12-15)
Acts 15 (Jerusalem Council)
Galatians (likely written around this time, addressing issues from the Council)
Acts 16-17 (Second Missionary Journey: Philippi, Thessalonica, Berea, Athens)
Acts 18 (Paul in Corinth)
1 Thessalonians (written from Corinth, during Acts 18)
2 Thessalonians (shortly after 1 Thessalonians, still in Acts 18)
Acts 19 (Third Missionary Journey: Ephesus, Macedonia, Greece)
1 Corinthians (written from Ephesus, during Acts 19)
Acts 20 (Third Missionary Journey: Ephesus, Macedonia, Greece)
2 Corinthians (written from Macedonia, during Acts 20)
Romans (written from Corinth, during Acts 20:2-3)
Acts 21-27 (Paul's Arrest, Trials, and Journey to Rome)
Acts 28:1-16 (Paul's Malta trip then Rome house arrest)
Ephesians (written under house arrest in Rome, Acts 28)
Colossians (same time as Ephesians, Acts 28)
Philemon (sent with Colossians, Acts 28)
Acts 28:17-31
Philippians (written from prison, likely during Acts 28)
1 Timothy (written after Paul's release, during travels)
Titus (written around the same time as 1 Timothy)
2 Timothy (written during Paul's final imprisonment before execution)

Parallel Gospels

A reading of Scripture that:

Compares parallel gospel accounts and provides a holistic view of the Gospel events

Event	Matthew	Mark	Luke	John
Introduction to Jesus	-	-	-	John 1:1-18
Genealogy of Jesus	Matthew 1:1-17	-	Luke 3:23-38	-
Birth of John the Baptist	-	-	Luke 1:5-25, 57-80	-
Annunciation to Mary	-	-	Luke 1:26-38	-
Birth of Jesus	Matthew 1:18-25	-	Luke 2:1-20	-
Presentation in the Temple	-	-	Luke 2:21-40	-
Magi & Flight to Egypt	Matthew 2:1-23	-	-	-
Jesus in the Temple	-	-	Luke 2:41-52	-
John the Baptist's Ministry	Matthew 3:1-12	Mark 1:1-8	Luke 3:1-20	John 1:19-34
Baptism of Jesus	Matthew 3:13-17	Mark 1:9-11	Luke 3:21-22	-
Temptation in the Wilderness	Matthew 4:1-11	Mark 1:12-13	Luke 4:1-13	-
First Disciples Called	Matthew 4:18-22	Mark 1:16-20	Luke 5:1-11	John 1:35-51
First Miracle: Water to Wine	-	-	-	John 2:1-11
Cleansing of the Temple	-	-	-	John 2:12-25
Jesus and Nicodemus	-	-	-	John 3:1-21
Woman at the Well (Samaria)	-	-	-	John 4:1-42
Jesus Preaches in Galilee	Matthew 4:12-17	Mark 1:14-15	Luke 4:14-15	-
Rejection at Nazareth	-	-	Luke 4:16-30	-
Healing Sick & Demons	Matthew 8:14-17	Mark 1:21-39	Luke 4:31-44	-
Calling of Levi (Matthew)	Matthew 9:9-13	Mark 2:13-17	Luke 5:27-32	-
Beatitudes	Matthew 5:1-12	-	Luke 6:17-26	-
Love Your Enemies	Matthew 5:38-48	-	Luke 6:27-36	-
Lord's Prayer	Matthew 6:5-15	-	Luke 11:1-4	-
Jesus Calms the Storm	Matthew 8:23-27	Mark 4:35-41	Luke 8:22-25	-
Healing of Demon-Possessed	Matthew 8:28-34	Mark 5:1-20	Luke 8:26-39	-
Feeding of the 5,000	Matthew 14:13-21	Mark 6:30-44	Luke 9:10-17	John 6:1-15
Jesus Walks on Water	Matthew 14:22-33	Mark 6:45-52	John 6:16-21	-
Transfiguration	Matthew 17:1-13	Mark 9:2-13	Luke 9:28-36	-
Jesus Raises Lazarus	-	-	-	John 11:1-44
Triumphal Entry (Palm Sunday)	Matthew 21:1-11	Mark 11:1-11	Luke 19:28-44	John 12:12-19
The Last Supper	Matthew 26:17-30	Mark 14:12-26	Luke 22:7-38	John 13:1-30
Jesus' Prayer in Gethsemane	Matthew 26:36-46	Mark 14:32-42	Luke 22:39-46	-
Jesus Arrested	Matthew 26:47-56	Mark 14:43-52	Luke 22:47-53	John 18:1-11
Jesus Before Pilate	Matthew 27:11-26	Mark 15:1-15	Luke 23:1-25	John 18:28-19:16
Crucifixion & Death	Matthew 27:27-56	Mark 15:16-41	Luke 23:26-49	John 19:16-37
Burial	Matthew 27:57-66	Mark 15:42-47	Luke 23:50-56	John 19:38-42
Empty Tomb	Matthew 28:1-10	Mark 16:1-8	Luke 24:1-12	John 20:1-10
Jesus Appears to Disciples	Matthew 28:16-20	Mark 16:9-20	Luke 24:36-49	John 20:19-31
Great Commission	Matthew 28:16-20	-	-	-
Jesus' Ascension	-	Mark 16:19-20	Luke 24:50-53	-

Leviticus with Hebrews

A reading of Scripture that highlights how:

Christ is the fulfilment of the Old Testament priesthood

Hebrews 1-3 (The Supremacy of Christ and the Greater Moses)
Leviticus 1-3 ↔ Hebrews 9 (Sacrifices, the Tabernacle, and Christ's Atoning Work)
Leviticus 4-6 ↔ Hebrews 10 (Sin Offerings and Christ's Once-for-All Sacrifice)
Leviticus 7-9 ↔ Hebrews 7 (Priestly Ordination and Jesus as the Eternal High Priest)
Leviticus 10-12 ↔ Hebrews 4-5 (Approaching God Through a Perfect Priest)
Leviticus 13-15 ↔ Hebrews 9:13-28 (Purity Laws and Christ's Cleansing)
Leviticus 16 ↔ Hebrews 6 (The Day of Atonement and the Certainty of God's Promise)
Leviticus 17-19 ↔ Hebrews 8 (God's Call to Holiness and the New Covenant)
Leviticus 20-22 ↔ Hebrews 10 (Holiness, Faith, and the Consequence of Rejecting Christ)
Leviticus 23-25 ↔ Hebrews 4 (Sabbath Rest and Entering God's Rest)
Leviticus 26-27 ↔ Hebrews 12 (Blessings, Curses, and the Unshakable Kingdom)
Hebrews 11 (Faith and the Example of the Ancients)
Hebrews 13 (Final Encouragement and Living Under the New Covenant)

Old vs. New Testament Thematic Readings

A reading of Scripture that:

Is based on Theological themes
Compares Old verses New Testament

Genesis & John (Creation, New Creation, and Christ as the Word)

Genesis 1-3 > John 1 (Creation, the Fall, and Christ as the New Creation)
Genesis 12-22 > John 8 (Abraham, Faith, and Christ as the True Seed)
Genesis 37-50 > John 19-21 (Joseph's Suffering and Christ's Passion)

Exodus & Matthew (The Greater Moses and the Kingdom of God)

Exodus 1-2 > Matthew 2 (Moses and Jesus: Rescued Deliverers)
Exodus 12 > Matthew 26 (The Passover and Christ as the True Lamb)
Exodus 19-20 > Matthew 5-7 (The Giving of the Law and the Sermon on the Mount)
Exodus 33-34 > Matthew 17 (Moses' Glory and the Transfiguration)

Psalms & Romans (The Gospel in the Old Testament)

Psalm 1 > Romans 8 (The Blessed Man and Life in the Spirit)
Psalm 22 > Romans 5 (The Suffering Servant and Christ's Atonement)
Psalm 51 > Romans 3 (Confession, Repentance, and Justification)
Psalm 110 > Romans 8-9 (The Messianic King and God's Sovereign Plan)

Isaiah & Revelation (Prophecy Fulfilled in Christ's Return)

Isaiah 6 > Revelation 4 (The Throne Room of God)
Isaiah 9 > Revelation 19 (The King and His Eternal Government)
Isaiah 53 > Revelation 5 (The Suffering Servant and the Lamb Who Was Slain)
Isaiah 65-66 > Revelation 21-22 (The New Heavens and New Earth)

Deuteronomy & Acts (The Old Covenant and the Spread of the Gospel)

Deuteronomy 18 > Acts 3 (The Prophet Like Moses)
Deuteronomy 30 > Acts 2 (The Heart Circumcision and Pentecost)
Deuteronomy 32 > Acts 7 (Moses' Song and Stephen's Speech)

Numbers & 1 Corinthians (Wilderness Journey and the Church)

Numbers 9 > 1 Corinthians 5:7 (Passover in the Wilderness and Christ as Our Passover)
Numbers 11 > 1 Corinthians 10:1-13 (Israel's Complaints and Warnings Against Idolatry)
Numbers 14 > 1 Corinthians 10:5-12 (Unbelief and the Church's Call to Perseverance)
Numbers 21 > 1 Corinthians 1:18 (The Bronze Serpent and Christ Crucified)
Numbers 27 > 1 Corinthians 15 (Joshua's Leadership and Christ's Resurrection Victory)

Deuteronomy & The Gospel of John (The New Moses and the Word Made Flesh)

Deuteronomy 6 > John 14-15 (The Greatest Commandment and Abiding in Christ)
Deuteronomy 8 > John 6 (Manna in the Wilderness and Jesus as the Bread of Life)
Deuteronomy 18 > John 7 (The Prophet Like Moses and Jesus as the Living Water)
Deuteronomy 34 > John 3:14-17 (Moses' Death and Jesus as the One Who Brings Eternal Life)

Joshua & Ephesians (Victory, Inheritance, and Spiritual Warfare)

Joshua 1 > Ephesians 6 (Be Strong and Courageous & The Armor of God)
Joshua 2 > Ephesians 2 (Rahab's Faith and Salvation by Grace)
Joshua 3-4 > Ephesians 1 (Crossing the Jordan and Our Inheritance in Christ)
Joshua 6 > Ephesians 3 (Jericho's Walls Falling and the Mystery of the Gospel)
Joshua 24 > Ephesians 5:15-21 (Choose Whom You Will Serve and Walking Wisely)

1 & 2 Samuel & The Gospels (David as a Type of Christ)

1 Samuel 2 > Luke 1 (Hannah's Song and Mary's Song)
1 Samuel 16 > John 10 (David the Shepherd and Jesus the Good Shepherd)
1 Samuel 17 > Matthew 4 (David vs. Goliath and Jesus' Victory Over Satan)
2 Samuel 7 > Luke 1:32-33 (God's Promise to David and Christ as the Eternal King)

Psalms & Hebrews (Christ as Our High Priest and King)

Psalm 2 > Hebrews 1 (The Son Enthroned Above the Angels)
Psalm 8 > Hebrews 2 (Humanity Crowned with Glory and Christ's Humiliation)
Psalm 95 > Hebrews 4 (God's Rest and Our Call to Faithfulness)
Psalm 110 > Hebrews 7 (Christ as the Priest-King in the Order of Melchizedek)

Isaiah & Romans (God's Justice, Mercy, and Salvation Plan)

Isaiah 1 > Romans 3 (Our Sin and God's Justification)
Isaiah 6 > Romans 10 (The Call of Isaiah and the Preaching of the Gospel)
Isaiah 40 > Romans 8 (God's Sovereignty and the Assurance of Salvation)
Isaiah 52-53 > Romans 5 (The Suffering Servant and Justification Through Christ)

Ezekiel & 2 Corinthians (God's Glory and the New Covenant)

Ezekiel 11 > 2 Corinthians 3 (The New Heart and the Ministry of the Spirit)
Ezekiel 34 > 2 Corinthians 6 (False Shepherds and Christ as the Good Shepherd)
Ezekiel 37 > 2 Corinthians 5 (The Valley of Dry Bones and New Creation in Christ)
Ezekiel 47 > 2 Corinthians 4 (The River of Life and God's Power in Weakness)

Daniel & Revelation (God's Kingdom and the End Times)

Daniel 2 > Revelation 11 (Nebuchadnezzar's Dream and Christ's Eternal Kingdom)
Daniel 7 > Revelation 1 (The Son of Man and Jesus' Glorious Reign)
Daniel 9 > Revelation 12 (The Seventy Weeks and Christ's Victory Over Satan)
Daniel 12 > Revelation 20-22 (The Resurrection and the Final Judgment)

Christ, the Church, & the New Covenant Fulfils the Old

A reading of Scripture that highlights how:

Christ is the fulfilment of Old Testament prophecies
The church is the true people of God alongside repentant Israel
The New Covenant supersedes the old, showing the finality of Christ's atonement
Christ's reign is today, not only the future

The Covenant of Promise: Abraham, Faith, and Justification

Genesis & Romans (God's Covenant with Abraham and Justification by Faith)

Genesis 12-15 > Romans 4 (Abraham's faith and justification for both Jews & Gentiles)
Genesis 17 > Romans 9 (God's promise to Abraham and the true children of promise)
Genesis 22 > Hebrews 11 (The near-sacrifice of Isaac and Christ's sacrifice)
Genesis 49 > Matthew 2 (The scepter of Judah and Christ as the true King)
Genesis 15 > Galatians 3 (God's promise and righteousness by faith, not law)
Genesis 22 > John 3:16 (Abraham's sacrifice and God giving His only Son)

Redemption and the True Exodus: Christ as the New Moses

Exodus & John (Jesus as the Greater Exodus and True tabernacle)

Exodus 12 > John 1:29; John 19 (The Passover and Christ as the true Lamb)
Exodus 16 > John 6 (Manna in the wilderness and Jesus as the Bread of Life)
Exodus 19-20 > Matthew 5-7 (The giving of the Law and the Sermon on the Mount)
Exodus 40 > John 1:14 (The tabernacle and Christ dwelling among us)
Exodus 14 > 1 Corinthians 10 (Crossing the Red Sea as baptism into Christ)
Exodus 33 > 2 Corinthians 3 (Moses' face veiled and the unveiling in Christ)

The Priesthood and Atonement: Christ as the True High Priest

Leviticus & Hebrews (The Fulfillment of the Priesthood and Sacrificial system)

Leviticus 4-6 > Hebrews 9-10 (Sin offerings and Christ's once-for-all sacrifice)
Leviticus 16 > Hebrews 6 (The Day of Atonement and Christ's finished work)
Leviticus 19 > 1 Peter 1 ("Be holy as I am holy" and New Testament holiness)
Leviticus 8 > Hebrews 5 (The anointing of priests and Christ as our eternal priest)
Leviticus 23 > Colossians 2:16-17 (The feasts as shadows of Christ)

The Wilderness and the Church: The People of God Tested and Transformed

Numbers & 1 Corinthians (The Church as the True People of God)

Numbers 11 > 1 Corinthians 10 (Wilderness complaints and New Testament warnings)
Numbers 21 > John 3:14-17 (The bronze serpent and Christ's crucifixion)
Numbers 27 > Hebrews 3-4 (Joshua and entering the true rest in Christ)

The Law and the Promise: Christ as the New Lawgiver

Deuteronomy & Galatians (The Law and the Promise in Christ)

Deuteronomy 6 > Matthew 22 (The greatest commandment and the love of God)
Deuteronomy 18 > Acts 3 (The prophet like Moses and Jesus as the true prophet)
Deuteronomy 30 > Galatians 3-4 (Circumcision of the heart and justification by faith)

The Promised Land and the True Inheritance in Christ

Joshua & Ephesians (The Inheritance of the Land and the True Inheritance in Christ)

Joshua 1 > Ephesians 1 (God's promise to Joshua and our spiritual inheritance)
Joshua 24 > Hebrews 4 (Entering the land and entering God's eternal rest)

The King and the Kingdom: David as a Type of Christ

1 & 2 Samuel > The Gospels (David as a Type of Christ, the True King)

1 Samuel 2 > Luke 1 (Hannah's song and Mary's song)
2 Samuel 7 > Luke 1:32-33 (God's covenant with David and Christ as the eternal King)
1 Samuel 16 > Matthew 3:16-17 (David's anointing and Christ's baptism)
2 Samuel 23 > Revelation 22 (David's final words and Christ as the true King)

The Suffering Servant and the Victory of the Messiah

Psalms & Hebrews (Christ as the True King and High Priest)

Psalm 2 > Hebrews 1 (The Son enthroned as King)
Psalm 110 > Hebrews 7 (Christ as the priest-king in the order of Melchizedek)

Isaiah & Matthew (Jesus as the Fulfillment of prophecy)

Isaiah 7 > Matthew 1 (The virgin birth)
Isaiah 9 > Luke 2 (The child born to rule)
Isaiah 53 > Matthew 27 (The suffering servant and the crucifixion)

The New Covenant and the Church as the True Israel

Jeremiah & 2 Corinthians (The New Covenant in Christ)

Jeremiah 31 > 2 Corinthians 3 (The new covenant written on the heart)
Jeremiah 23 > John 10 (The righteous branch and Jesus as the good shepherd)

Ezekiel & John (The Presence of God in Christ and the Spirit)

Ezekiel 37 > John 3 (The valley of dry bones and spiritual rebirth)
Ezekiel 47 > John 7 (The river of life and the Spirit given to the Church)

The Kingdom of God and the Reign of Christ

Daniel & Revelation (The Kingdom of God and Christ's reign)

Daniel 2 > Revelation 11 (The rock that crushes the kingdoms and Christ's reign)
Daniel 7 > Revelation 1 (The Son of Man and Jesus' glorious reign)
Daniel 9 > Matthew 24 (The 70 weeks and Christ's fulfilment of prophecy)

God's Faithfulness and the Restoration of His People

Hosea & Ephesians (God's Covenant Love for His people)

Hosea 1-3 > Ephesians 5 (The faithful bridegroom and the Church as His bride)
Hosea 11 > Luke 15 (God's mercy and the parable of the prodigal son)

Zechariah & The Gospels (Christ as the Fulfillment of Messianic prophecies)

Zechariah 9 > Matthew 21 (The King riding on a donkey)
Zechariah 12 > John 19 (Looking on Him whom they have pierced)

The Church as the True Israel and Christ's Eternal Reign

Galatians 3-4 (Those of faith are the true children of Abraham)
Romans 9-11 (The inclusion of the Gentiles and the true Israel)
Hebrews 12 (The Church as the assembly of Zion)
Revelation 21-22 (The New Jerusalem and the fulfilment of God's promises)

Chronological Order

Old Testament

Genesis 1-11
Job
Genesis 12-50
Exodus 1-40
Leviticus 1-27
Numbers 1-36
Deuteronomy 1-34
Psalm 90
Joshua 1-24
Judges 1-21
Ruth
1 Samuel 1-31
Psalms 11
Psalms 59
Psalms 91
Psalms 7
Psalms 27
Psalms 31
Psalms 34
Psalms 52
Psalms 56
Psalms 120
Psalms 140-142
Psalms 17
Psalms 35
Psalms 54
Psalms 63
Psalms 121
Psalms 123-125
Psalms 128-130
2 Samuel 1-24
Psalms 6
Psalms 8-10
Psalms 14
Psalms 16
Psalms 19
Psalms 21
Psalms 43-45
Psalms 49
Psalms 84-85
Psalms 87
Psalms 73
Psalms 77-78
Psalms 81
Psalms 88
Psalms 92-93
Psalms 102-104
Psalm 133
Psalms 106-107
Psalms 1-2
Psalms 15
Psalms 22-24
Psalms 47
Psalms 68
Psalms 89
Psalms 96
Psalms 100-101
Psalms 105
Psalms 132
Psalms 25
Psalms 29
Psalms 33
Psalms 36
Psalms 39
Psalms 50
Psalms 53
Psalms 60
Psalms 75
Psalms 65-67
Psalms 69-70
Psalms 32
Psalms 51
Psalms 86
Psalms 122
Psalms 3-4
Psalms 12-13
Psalms 28
Psalms 55
Psalms 26
Psalms 40
Psalms 58
Psalms 61-62
Psalms 64
Psalms 5
Psalms 38
Psalms 41-42
Psalms 95
Psalms 97-99
Psalms 108-110
Psalms 131
Psalms 138-139
Psalms 143-145
Psalms 111-118
Psalm 119
1 Kings 1-22
2 Kings 1-25
1 Chronicles 1-29
2 Chronicles 1-36
Song of Solomon
Proverbs 1-31
Ecclesiastes 1-12
Isaiah 1-66
Jeremiah 1-52
Lamentations 1-5
Ezekiel 1-48
Daniel 1-12
Hosea 1-14
Joel
Amos 1-9
Obadiah
Jonah
Micah
Nahum
Habakkuk
Zephaniah
Haggai
Zechariah 1-14
Malachi
Ezra 1-10
Nehemiah 1-13
Esther 1-10
Psalms 126
Psalms 137

New Testament

Luke 1
John 1
Matthew 1-2
Luke 2
Matthew 3
Mark 1
Luke 3
Matthew 4
Luke 4-5
John 2-4
Matthew 8
Mark 2
John 5
Matthew 12
Mark 3
Luke 6
Matthew 5-7
Matthew 9
Luke 7
Matthew 11
Luke 11
Matthew 13
Luke 8
Mark 4-5
Matthew 10
Matthew 14
Mark 6
Luke 9
John 6
Matthew 15
Mark 7
Matthew 16
Mark 8
Matthew 17
Mark 9
Matthew 18
John 7-8
John 9-10
Luke 10
Luke 12-17
John 11
Matthew 19
Mark 10
Matthew 20-21
Luke 19
Mark 11
John 12
Matthew 22
Mark 12
Matthew 23
Luke 20-21
Mark 13
Matthew 24-25
Matthew 26
Mark 14
Luke 22
John 13
John 14-17
Matthew 27
Mark 15
Luke 23
John 18-19
Matthew 28
Mark 16
Luke 24
John 20-21
Acts 1-14
James
Acts 15
Galatians
Acts 16-18
1 Thessalonians
2 Thessalonians
Acts 19
1 Corinthians
Acts 20
2 Corinthians
Romans
Acts 21-27
Acts 28:1-16
Ephesians
Colossians
Philemon
Acts 28:17-31
Philippians
1 Timothy
Titus
2 Timothy
Hebrews
1 Peter
2 Peter
1 John
2 John
3 John
Jude
Revelation