A Bible reading plan for
The Story of the Whole Bible
12 key readings, the whole story
The Bible is not a random collection of stories but one great story, from creation to new creation, and it all leads to Jesus. This twelve-day plan traces that single storyline through twelve key passages, so you can see the big picture: what God is doing across the whole Bible, and how every part fits into His plan to rescue and restore.
“And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.”Luke 24:27 (KJV)
The plan, day by day
Creation
God makes a good world and makes people in His image. Everything begins with a good Creator.
The Fall
Sin enters, and with it death and separation. But even here God promises a rescuer.
The Promise
God calls Abraham and promises to bless all nations through his family. The rescue plan begins.
The Exodus
God rescues His people from slavery through the blood of the lamb. A picture of a greater rescue to come.
The Law
At Sinai God gives His covenant and commandments, revealing His holiness and our need.
The Kingdom
God promises David a kingdom and a King whose throne will last forever. Hope narrows to a coming King.
The Prophets
In exile and beyond, the prophets foretell a suffering Servant who will bear the sins of many.
The Messiah Comes
The long-promised King is born in Bethlehem. God has come to be with us.
The Cross
Jesus dies for the sins of the world, the true Lamb, the suffering Servant, the rescuing King.
The Resurrection
Jesus rises, defeating death, and opens the Scriptures to show it was all about Him.
The Church
The Spirit comes, and the good news begins to spread to all nations, just as God promised Abraham.
New Creation
God makes all things new; no more death or tears. The story ends where it began, but better, forever with Him.
A reading plan is a servant, not a master. If you miss days there is no guilt here and no scorecard in heaven. Simply begin again where you left off. The goal was never to finish a list but to meet the One these words are about, Jesus, who is glad to be found by you today.
Where this plan is leading
On the road to Emmaus, Jesus took two disciples through the whole Old Testament and showed how it all pointed to Himself. That is the key to the whole Bible: it is one story, and He is its center. Creation, fall, promise, exodus, kingdom, prophets, all lean toward the cross and empty tomb, and forward to the day He makes all things new. Read for the story, and you will find Him on every page.
Who is Jesus? · Begin with Jesus · Ask someone to pray with you
Walk this plan in the app
The Living Bread carries the whole Bible with you in a warm reader you can return to every day, and a family who is reading too. Open each day's passage, mark what a verse stirs, and let the Word become a place you meet Jesus. Free, no ads, for all people.
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Is the Bible one story or many?
Though it has 66 books written over many centuries, the Bible tells one connected story: God creates a good world, humanity falls into sin, God launches a rescue plan through Abraham and Israel, and that plan reaches its center in Jesus, whose death and resurrection open the way to a restored new creation. This plan traces that single storyline.
How does the whole Bible point to Jesus?
Jesus Himself said the Scriptures testify of Him (John 5:39) and walked the Emmaus disciples through the whole Old Testament showing how it pointed to Him (Luke 24:27). The promises to Abraham and David, the rescue at the exodus, the sacrificial system, and the prophets' words about a suffering Servant all find their fulfillment in Christ.
What is the best way to understand the big picture of the Bible?
Read a set of key passages that trace the storyline from creation to new creation, as this twelve-day plan does, rather than getting lost in the details first. Seeing the overall shape, and how it all leads to Jesus, makes the individual books and chapters make far more sense when you read them.