31 Days Reading Plan on the Life of Jesus
Pathways of Promise: A 31-Day Journey
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Navigate the pathway Jesus paved for us during his life on Earth. This 31-day plan features concise passages for individual or group reading, accompanied by thought-provoking questions to deepen your understanding of the Word. Follow in His footsteps as you gain a more enriched understanding of the Old Testament and how it applies to how we live our lives today.
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Day 1: Birth
- What do you imagine Jesus’ birth looking like?
- What should our response be when we discover what God wants us to do, like the Shepherds?
- In what ways can you praise God for Jesus’ arrival into the world this week?
Day 4: Temptation
- Has there ever been a time when you were very hungry or thirsty? What happened?
- What physical needs or desires make us vulnerable to temptations?
- How can we prepare to withstand tempting situations?
Day 7: Instructions
- What would you say a great leader looks like (name their character, skills, knowledge, etc.)?
- In what ways do you seek to bring justice or fairness to your relationships?
- What is one practical thing you could do in your daily life that would be “bearing good fruit” like Jesus said?
Day 10: Marriage Feast
- What is your funniest wedding story?
- Who do you think eventually showed up to the wedding feast? What does that say about God’s love?
- What is one practical way you can show God’s love to someone who might not be “invited to the party”?
Day 13: Good Samaratin
- When has someone gone out of their way to help you?
- Have you ever “passed by” like the priest or Levite instead of helping like the Good Samaritan? Why?
- What is one way you could help someone in need like the Good Samaritan?
Day 16: Stewardship
- In what ways does our culture pressure us to love money?
- Why is it so difficult to keep a proper perspective on money?
- What is one way you can use money to serve others and show them the love of God?
Day 19: Good Shephard
- When you hear about sheep, what comes to mind? Do you have any specific images, memories or associations with sheep or shepherds?
- In what ways is Jesus like a shepherd? In what ways are we like sheep?
- What is one way you could be more intentional about listening to God’s voice?
Day 22: Triumphal Entry
- What is the best parade you have ever been to? Briefly share about it.
- What do you think the disciples thought about what Jesus asked them to do?
- The Caesars of Rome in Jesus’ day would have had grand “power parades” often, as opposed to Jesus’ humble “one-donkey” parade. What does this tell us about Jesus?
Day 25: Prayer of Jesus
- Why are religious beliefs divisive?
- How is Jesus’ relationship with God the Father a model for how Christians should treat each other?
- What is one way you can show love to other Christians?
Day 28: Resurrection
- Do you have a story that is hard to believe? Briefly share.
- Why do you think the disciples doubted the resurrection, despite the fact that Jesus told them it would happen?
- How can you reaffirm the good news of the resurrection this week?
Day 31: Ascension
- How do you think the disciples felt when Jesus left them?
- What do you think Jesus’ final instruction to “be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the Earth,” means?
- What is one trait, skill or talent you have that you can use to share God’s love with others?
Day 2: At the Temple
- What would you have wanted to ask Jesus had you been around during those three days in the temple?
- In what way should we strive to grow in wisdom and stature in favor with God and others, like Jesus?
- What difference might it make to you this week if you prepared for church as if it were a visit to your father’s house?
Day 5: First Miracle
- What makes an event miraculous or supernatural?
- How does Jesus reveal his power to us today?
- What is one specific habit or characteristic you will ask God to change in your life this week?
Day 8: Cost of Discipleship
- What are some ways people try to “find themselves”?
- What does it mean to you to “take up your cross” and follow Jesus?
- What is one thing you could do this week to “deny yourself” and follow Christ?
Day 11: Christ’s Return
- Why do people enjoy apocalyptic, “end-of-the-world” stories (Zombie books, movies and games, “The Day After Tomorrow,” etc.)?
- Jesus didn’t give us a specific time or date for his return. Is that helpful or frustrating? Why?
- Does knowing Christ will return someday give you hope? Why?
Day 14: Prayer
- How do children act when they want something (a snack, toy, etc.) desperately?
- Why do you think the disciples needed to be taught how to pray?
- What is one way you can apply something from this passage to the way you pray?
Day 17: New Birth
- Why do you think Nicodemus came by night to Jesus?
- What do you think Jesus meant by being “born from above” or “born of the Spirit”?
- How can you thank God for sending Jesus?
Day 20: Vine and Branches
- What do you do to stay connected to friends and family?
- What are some ways we “remain in Jesus” like he says in the passage?
- What is one way you can commit to staying connected with Jesus?
Day 23: Last Supper
- In what ways does sharing a meal bind people together?
- What would it have been like to be one of the disciples, and eaten the last supper with Jesus?
- What does Communion mean to you personally? Why?
Day 26: Trials
- How do people typically react when bullied, insulted or attacked by others?
- How would Jesus want us to react to criticism (like the guards and crowds) or our friends betraying us (like Peter)?
- What is one example of how we can respond to evil with love?
Day 29: Road to Emmaus
- Have you ever been surprised by something you didn’t realize at first? Briefly share.
- What is a Christian truth that you didn’t understand at first, or still have trouble fully understanding?
- How do you think we can work through our misunderstandings and doubts about the Christian faith?
Day 3: Baptism
- How would you feel if the world’s leading expert in your field asked you for help, like Jesus asked John the Baptist?
- Why do you think John felt awkward about baptizing Jesus?
- What do we tell the world by being baptized?
Day 6: Sermon on the Mount
Matthew 5:1-48 | Matthew 6:1-34 | Matthew 7:1-28
Questions primarily focus on the Beatitudes, Matthew 5:1-12
- What are some ways people typically try to find happiness or fulfillment in life?
- Which of these promises mean the most to you? Why?
- What is a practical step you can make this week to more closely follow Jesus’ example set in the Beatitudes?
Day 9: Vineyard Laborers
- Who is the best employer you have ever had? Why?
- In what ways does God’s grace seem unfair?
- Can focusing on God’s grace in our lives help prevent us from becoming jealous of others? If so, how? If not, why not?
Day 12: Sowing Parables
- Do you have a “green thumb”? If so, share a bit about how you care for your plants. What do they need?
- What things can get us “off-track” from following God, like in the Parable of the Sower?
- What do you think Jesus means when he talks about the “Kingdom of God”?
- How do these parables help you better understand what the Kingdom of God is?
Day 15: Lost Parables
- Was there ever a time as a child you got lost, or as a parent have you ever lost one of your children? Share about it briefly.
- What value was placed on the “lost” thing in each parable? Why do you think Jesus placed that value on those lost things?
- To what “underserving” person can you extend God’s love to this week? How?
Day 18: Holy Spirit
- When you hear of the “Holy Spirit,” what do you think?
- How does Jesus describe the Holy Spirit in these passages?
- How do you think the Holy Spirit works to guide us?
Day 21: Lazarus
- In what different ways do people respond when a loved one dies?
- How would you have responded differently than Jesus to the news of Lazarus’ illness?
- In what ways is Jesus’ response to Lazarus’ death a model for us to follow?
Day 24: Washing Feet
- Do think our culture promotes being served instead of serving? Why?
- When and why is it difficult for you to serve others?
- What is one way you could serve someone this week? Briefly share.
Day 27: Crucifixion
- Have you ever helped someone when they were hurting? Share briefly.
- In what ways was Jesus helped by others in the passage?
- In what ways did Christ “help” us through the crucifixion? Can we learn from that to help others?
Day 30: Great Commission
- What do you think of when you hear words like “missionary” or “evangelism”?
- What does Jesus mean when he says to “make disciples”?
- The mission of the United Methodist Church is to “Make Disciples of Jesus Christ for the Transformation of the World.” What is one way you can participate in that disciple-making mission?
What’s Next?
Now that you have completed this reading plan, be in prayer about what your next step might be:
- Consider joining a small group to continue a deeper dive into the Bible with others searching just like you. View our open groups on the Adult Groups Page or contact John Barolo, Director of Discipleship, with any questions.
- Contact a pastor if there is some pastoral matter for which we can be of care to you. Contact Kim Harcrow, Pastoral Staff Assistant.
- Find a way to serve out of your passion and giftedness, to make a difference. Explore serving opportunities.
* Questions adapted from “New Testament Lesson Maker,” © 1992 from NavPress.