Category Archives: Weekly Bible Reading Plans

The Bible is the unique, inspired, trustworthy, written Word of God. It is the most important book ever written, PERIOD. Oakland wants to live like that is true by soaking in the Bible, learning God’s story, so that we can see Jesus working in our lives, and hear him speaking to us by his Holy Spirit. Currently, we circulate a weekly reading plan with daily verses to give people a place to begin reading the Bible. These reading plans also prepare us to hear the sermon coming on Sunday.

Weekly Bible Reading Plan – Sept 13-20, 2020 – The Passover

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Persevere – Reading Plan – Sept123-20.2020 – PassoverDownload

DAY 1 – Heb 11:28; Gen 12 – Pray for modern slaves

DAY 2 – Joshua 5 – Pray for the fearful

DAY 3 – Ezra 6 – Pray for new identity

DAY 4 – Luke 22:1-38 – Pray for our Elders

DAY 5 – Gal 6:7-10 – Pray for endurance

While we were not gathering in our building every week, many of us had to take responsibility for our spiritual lives in deeper way than ever before. We had to intentionally feed ourselves spiritually, when we could not depend on our Sunday School Teachers and Preachers to do so. So we’re going to send the next few weeks insuring that we know how to feed ourselves. This week, we’re going to practice Listening to God by praying God’s Word back to God.  

  1. When have you been confronted by countless “no’s” when trying to do God’s will? How did you respond to all the disappointment?
  2. How many times has Moses confronted Pharaoh? How many times has Pharaoh said, “No”? There were no other memorial meals/rituals for the other plagues, so why does God instituted a memorial meal and not just a plague?
  3. Who is the eat the Passover meal? Why? How are they to eat it? What if one of them (like a child) doesn’t understand the significance? Why would God prepare parents for these questions?
  4. What rituals do you have that spark questions from your children or extended family? Are you prepared to explain them?
  5. What do Joshua and the Israelites do before crossing into the promised land? Why? How do these actions prepare them for the opposition they will face? What identity do they receive?
  6. What does Ezra do with the exiles after they return? Why is the Passover so pivotal to their re-establishment in the land? What does this do for them?
  7. Why do you think God connects the Passover and the Last Supper? How did the Passover point to the Last Supper?
  8. Where are you tempted to grow weary right now? How can you persevere?

Weekly Bible Reading Plan – Aug 30 – Sept 6, 2020 – The Lord’s Supper

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Teach a Man to Fish – Reading Plan – Aug 23-30.2020 – BaptismDownload

DAY 1 – Mark 14:1-26 – Pray for students

DAY 2 – John 6:25-71 – Pray for the homebound

DAY 3 – 1 Cor 11:17-34 – Pray for parents and grandparents

DAY 4 – Matt 8:11; Rev 3:20 – Pray for mealtime conversations

DAY 5 – 2 Sam 9 – Pray people with special needs

While we were not gathering in our building every week, many of us had to take responsibility for our spiritual lives in deeper way than ever before. We had to intentionally feed ourselves spiritually, when we could not depend on our Sunday School Teachers and Preachers to do so. So we’re going to send the next few weeks insuring that we know how to feed ourselves. This week, we’re going to practice Listening to God by praying God’s Word back to God.  

  1. What were you seeking in life before Christ? Where did you look for it? Where did that lead you? How did you find it in Jesus?
  2. Who do you know looking for the same thing?
  3. What are your children looking for? Your parents? Your closest friends? How might you point them to that thing in Jesus?
  4. This week, we’ll think about the Lord’s Supper. When did Jesus serve this meal? Who did he serve it to? What happens after this meal?What does this say about Communion even for people who still betray Jesus with sin?  
  5. What is the holiest moment of your life? When Jesus was so close it was like him hand feeding you?
  6. What does John 6 teach us about the true nature of the Last Supper, or rather, what the Last Supper represents? What is the bread of heaven? How do we eat it really?
  7. What ways do Corinthians mess up the Supper? How are they failing to discern the Body of Christ in the elements? In each other?
  8. When do they eat the Supper in Corinth? How do they eat it?
  9. Why is “Eating with Jesus” so precious an invitation? Have you said yes? Do you imagine Jesus at your dinner table? Could you sacramentalize the meals around your table?
  10. What similarities are there between you and I and Mephibosheth? Between Jesus and David?

Weekly Reading Plan – August 23-30, 2020 – Baptism

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Teach a Man to Fish – Reading Plan – Aug 23-30.2020 – BaptismDownload

DAY 1 – Matt 3 – Pray for those who want to make a change

DAY 2 – Acts 2:38-39; 16:15; 16:33; 18:8 – Pray for whole families to be converted

DAY 3 – Rom 6:1-14 – Pray for us to die to sinful ways

DAY 4 – 1 Cor 12:12-13 – Pray for Church Unity

DAY 5 – Ephesians 5:25-26 – Pray we’d believe we’ve actually been washed.

While we were not gathering in our building every week, many of us had to take responsibility for our spiritual lives in deeper way than ever before. We had to intentionally feed ourselves spiritually, when we could not depend on our Sunday School Teachers and Preachers to do so. So we’re going to send the next few weeks insuring that we know how to feed ourselves. This week, we’re going to practice Listening to God by praying God’s Word back to God.  

  1. What were you seeking in life before Christ? Where did you look for it? Where did that lead you? How did you find it in Jesus?
  2. Who do you know looking for the same thing?
  3. What are your children looking for? Your parents? Your closest friends? How might you point them to that thing in Jesus?
  4. This week, we’ll think about Baptism, by looking at many different verses. Jesus is baptized in Matt 3.
  5. How did John explain the baptism John was offering? What is the difference between “John’s baptism” and “Christian baptism”?
  6. Why is Jesus baptized if he has no sin? What happens during Jesus’ baptism? Are there corollaries for believers being baptized into Jesus’ name?
  7. What do you learn about baptism in Acts? What patterns do you see? How should these affect your family? And your ministry to your family?
  8. What is the symbolism of baptism in Rom 6? How is it that you and I are buried with Christ? How raised? What does that even mean? How can we be dead and yet still alive?
  9. In 1 Cor 12, how does baptism affect our relationship with the church? In baptism we are united with Christ, which means we’re also united with whom?
  10. Ephesians 5, is an odd place to think about baptism, but the symbolism involves water. What does Jesus’ do to us? What can wash away our sin?

Weekly Reading Plan – Aug 2-9, 2020 – Daniel 1-5

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Teach a Man to Fish – Reading Plan – Aug 2-9.2020 – Daniel 1-5Download

DAY 1 – Daniel 1 – Pray for slaves worldwide

DAY 2 – Daniel 2 – Pray for God’s Kingdom to come

DAY 3 – Daniel 3 – Pray for courage

DAY 4 – Daniel 4 – Pray for humility

DAY 5 – Daniel 5 – Pray you’d be teachable

While we were not gathering in our building every week, many of us had to take responsibility for our spiritual lives in deeper way than ever before. We had to intentionally feed ourselves spiritually, when we could not depend on our Sunday School Teachers and Preachers to do so. So we’re going to send the next few weeks insuring that we know how to feed ourselves. This week, we’re going to practice Listening to God by praying God’s Word back to God.  

  1. Before reading, on a scale from 1-10, how satisfied are you with your personal prayer life? How much do you feel like God hears your prayers? When was the last time you felt God’s presence?
  2. What time of day are you at your best mentally and emotionally? Could you arrange to do your Bible meditation during that time?
  3. This week, we will practice the 5 questions we learned on Sunday:
    • What does this passage teach me about God?
    • What does this passage teach me about myself, humans, and the world?
    • Is there an example to follow?
    • Is there a command to obey?
    • How does this remind me of Jesus and the gospel?
  4. With each passage:
    • What could you PRAISE God for in this passage?
    • What could you REPENT of in this passage?
    • Who does it bring to mind to ASK for Others?
    • What do you want to pray for YOURSELF in this passage?

Weekly Reading Plan – July 26 – Aug 2

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Teach a Man to Fish – Reading Plan – July 26-Aug 2.2020 – 3John1Download

DAY 1 – 3 John 1 – Pray against divisive leaders

DAY 2 – 1 Kings 17 – Pray for a greater prayer life

DAY 3 – 1 Kings 18 – Pray God would expose the false gods of our culture

DAY 4 – 1 Kings 19:1-18 – Pray for ears to hear the small voice

DAY 5 – James 5:13-18 – Pray for people to pray for

While we were not gathering in our building every week, many of us had to take responsibility for our spiritual lives in deeper way than ever before. We had to intentionally feed ourselves spiritually, when we could not depend on our Sunday School Teachers and Preachers to do so. So we’re going to send the next few weeks insuring that we know how to feed ourselves. This week, we’re going to practice Listening to God by praying God’s Word back to God.  

  1. Before reading, on a scale from 1-10, how satisfied are you with your personal prayer life? How much do you feel like God hears your prayers? When was the last time you felt God’s presence?
  2. What time of day are you at your best mentally and emotionally? Could you arrange to do your Bible meditation during that time?
  3. This week, we will practice the 5 questions we learned on Sunday:
    • What does this passage teach me about God?
    • What does this passage teach me about myself, humans, and the world?
    • Is there an example to follow?
    • Is there a command to obey?
    • How does this remind me of Jesus and the gospel?
  4. With each passage:
    • What could you PRAISE God for in this passage?
    • What could you REPENT of in this passage?
    • Who does it bring to mind to ASK for Others?
    • What do you want to pray for YOURSELF in this passage?

Weekly Reading Plan – July 19-26 – 1 John 3 – 2 John 1

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Teach a Man to Fish – Reading Plan – July 19-26.2020 – 1 John 4-2 John 1Download

DAY 1 – 1 John 4:1-6 – Pray we’d discern the Spirit.

DAY 2 – 1 John 4:7-21 – Pray we’d love with God’s love

DAY 3 – 1 John 5:1-12 – Pray for an obedient spirit

DAY 4 – 1 John 5:13-21 – Pray for people to correct your sin

DAY 5 – 2 John 1 – Pray for the Lady

While we were not gathering in our building every week, many of us had to take responsibility for our spiritual lives in deeper way than ever before. We had to intentionally feed ourselves spiritually, when we could not depend on our Sunday School Teachers and Preachers to do so. So we’re going to send the next few weeks insuring that we know how to feed ourselves. This week, we’re going to practice Praying using the P.R.A.Y. model.

  1. Before reading, on a scale from 1-10, how satisfied are you with your personal prayer life? How much do you feel like God hears your prayers? When was the last time you felt God’s presence?
  2. What time of day are you at your best mentally and emotionally? Could you arrange to do your Bible meditation during that time?
  3. This week, we will practice the 5 questions we learned on Sunday:
    • What does this passage teach me about God?
    • What does this passage teach me about myself, humans, and the world?
    • Is there an example to follow?
    • Is there a command to obey?
    • How does this remind me of Jesus and the gospel?
  4. With each passage:
    • What could you PRAISE God for in this passage?
    • What could you REPENT of in this passage?
    • Who does it bring to mind to ASK for Others?
    • What do you want to pray for YOURSELF in this passage?

Weekly Reading Plan – July 12-19 – 1 John 1-3

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DAY 1 – 1 John 1 – Pray for fellowship with Christ

DAY 2 – 1 John 2:1-14 – Pray we’d live as Jesus lived

DAY 3 – 1 John 2:15-29 – Pray for we would not be led astray

DAY 4 – 1 John 3:1-10 – Pray we would not go on sinning

DAY 5 – 1 John 3:11-24 – Pray we’d love people practically

While we were not gathering in our building every week, many of us had to take responsibility for our spiritual lives in deeper way than ever before. We had to intentionally feed ourselves spiritually, when we could not depend on our Sunday School Teachers and Preachers to do so. So we’re going to send the next few weeks insuring that we know how to feed ourselves. This week, we’re going to practice Bible Meditation.

  1. Before reading, on a scale from 1-10, how satisfied are you with your personal time meditating on God’s Word? How much do you feel like you hear from God when you read His Word alone? How consistent are you in meditating on God’s Word?
  2. What time of day are you at your best mentally and emotionally? Could you arrange to do your Bible meditation during that time?
  3. This week, we will practice the 5 questions we learned on Sunday:
    • What does this passage teach me about God?
    • What does this passage teach me about myself, humans, and the world?
    • Is there an example to follow?
    • Is there a command to obey?
    • How does this remind me of Jesus and the gospel?

Weekly Reading Plan – July 5-12, 2020 – Acts 24-28

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Weekly Reading Plan on Acts 24-28

What is the Church – Reading Plan – July 5-12.2020 – Acts 24-28Download

DAY 1 – Acts 24 – Pray for peace and justice

DAY 2 – Acts 25 – Pray we’d be more concerned about being right rather than looking right

DAY 3 – Acts 26 – Pray for opportunities to share your testimony

DAY 4 – Acts 27 – Pray for victims of natural disasters

DAY 5 – Acts 28 – Pray we’d preach wherever we are.

While we are not gathering in our usual way in our building every week, it is the perfect time to reconsider what is the Church? We’ll start by reading in the book of Acts.

  1. Before reading, what has God been teaching you this week about the church? About yourself? About justice?
  2. What is Paul accused of doing? Which of these accusations are true? Is Paul a troublemaker? Is it wrong to cause trouble like Paul? Who creates similar trouble today?
  3. Tertullus contrasts Paul’s troublemaking with the “peace” Felix has provided. What kind of “peace” are they enjoying and trying to protect? Where do you see yourself longing for this false peace that cannot stand hard questions or disagreements or protests? Peace preserved by injustice is not worth having.
  4. What is Paul’s defense? What is “The Way” Paul mentions? How is “The Way” connected to the Israelite faith and the God of the Israelites’ ancestors? Why is it important for us to preserve this unbreakable connection to the Jewish faith?
  5. What is Felix afraid of? What gets in Felix’s way of faith?
  6. Why does Festus go to Jerusalem first? What political mechanisms do you see preventing justice? How do political implications and appearances still prevent justice? In your own life are you more preoccupied with what is right or what appears right to others? How can we die to the desire to please others and appear right?
  7. Why does Paul appeal to Caesar? What is he trying to accomplish?
  8. Paul is trying to be loyal to Jesus and God of Abraham, but he is accused of being “un-Jewish” or “anti-Israel”. Those are huge claims that seem appropriate to the vast majority of people listening to the trials, but what do those accusations specifically amount to? In the same way, what would it mean to be “anti-America” or “un-American”? What specific things are non-negotiably “American”?
  9. Acts 26 is my favorite chapter. What stands out in Paul’s speech? What does Paul talk about? Why are his accolades noticeably absent from this defense? Where are his defense witnesses?
  10. What role does God’s promise play in Paul’s defense and his willingness to die? How does Paul identify with his accusers and their fears? Does Paul hide his past sins? Why not?
  11. Why does Paul tell his story again? Why does Scripture record every word of it again? What does this show us about testimonies? What is yours? Who have you told your testimony to? What did God save you from? What road were you on when Jesus interrupted you? Where would you now be without the interruption? Where would you be in 10 or 20 years on that road?
  12. What is the gospel according to Paul? What transformation happens in believers according to Acts 26:18? Does it seem that drastic to you?
  13. What can we learn about God in Acts 27? What do we learn about the world and our lives in it? Why do natural disasters occur? How does God use this one?
  14. When have you failed to turn around after many warning signs appeared?  

Weekly Reading Plan – June 28 – July 5 – Acts 21-23

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Weekly Reading Plan on Acts 21-23

What is the Church – Reading Plan – June 28 – July 5.2020 – Acts 21-23Download

DAY 1 – Acts 21:1-16 – Pray you’d have to be “torn away” from the Church and never give up easily

DAY 2 – Acts 21:17-36 – Pray for women ministers

DAY 3 – Acts 21:37-22:22 – Pray for other Christian Pastors (especially those you are prone to mistrust)

DAY 4 – Acts 22:23-23:11 – Pray for torturers and those tortured

DAY 5 – Acts 23:12-35 – Pray for USA to be a more just society

While we are not gathering in our usual way in our building every week, it is the perfect time to reconsider what is the Church? We’ll start by reading in the book of Acts.

  1. Before reading, what has God been teaching you this week about the church? About yourself? About justice?
  2. Paul and Luke have to “tear themselves away from [the church from Ephesus]”. When have you had to tear yourself away from church? Who have you had to tear yourself away from? Pray for that kind of connection with your congregation.
  3. What patterns do you see with Paul in each city on the way to Jerusalem? Why does he “seek out believers”? Have you ever done such while traveling? What ministries or churches would you like to seek out in the future? Who do you want to learn from?
  4. Why does Paul want to go to Jerusalem against so much advice? When have you had to go against the advice of wise believers? How do we know the will of God when others can’t see it?
  5. Why is it so instructive that Phillip has 4 unmarried daughters who are prophets? How should this change the way we think about women in ministry?
  6. How do the church leaders respond to Paul? What do they celebrate with him? What are they afraid of? Why?
  7. Why would Jewish Christians assume bad things about Paul? When Christians assumed bad things about another pastor or Christian teacher? How can we give the benefit of the doubt to folks’ faith?
  8. What are the mobs so mad about? When have you seen people respond violently out of fear and misunderstanding? Why does the commander save Paul’s life?
  9. Why does Paul address the crowd? Why does he tell them his testimony? Do you know your testimony? Who have you shared it with lately? What things does Paul emphasize in this re-telling?
  10. Why do people get so angry at this point in his story? Was it the reminder of Stephen’s murder or that Paul went to the Gentiles that angered them so much?
  11. What is it that you “have been assigned to do” (vs 10)?
  12. What things do Americans hate to be reminded of? Christians? Why?
  13. Both the Roman commander and the High Priest command people to hurt Paul? Why do they use violence? In what ways does our justice system still follow this distorted thinking? Should Christians ever use or allow torture?
  14. Why does it matter that Paul is a “Roman citizen” and a “Pharisee”? What privileges do these afford him that would not be given to other people? Which prisoners in our justice system are treated worst? Non-citizens? Uneducated? Poor? What can Christians do to better the justice system?
  15. To help think through the trials here in Acts, perhaps watch Just Mercy, to see how justice is miscarried and still so.
  16. This is a lynch mob working coordinated with complicit government. What do you know of America’s history of lynchings? Painful as it is, it will help you understand what happened to Paul? This is how people often try to get justice.
  17. Who saves Paul’s life? Who much are you investing in your nieces and nephews? Do they know your faith? Do they know your testimony?
  18. Why doesn’t Claudius Lysias let the Sanhedrin assassinate Paul? How can we work to prevent the miscarriages of justice in America?  

Weekly Reading Plan – June 21-28 – Acts 18-20

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Weekly Reading Plan on Acts 18-20

What is the Church – Reading Plan – June 21-28.2020 – Acts 18-20Download

DAY 1 – Acts 18:18-28 – Pray for Teachers to explain to us the way of God more Adequately

DAY 2 – Acts 19:1-22 – Pray against half-measures and for full surrender

DAY 3 – Acts 19:23-41 – Pray for professions contrary to the Gospel

DAY 4 – Acts 20:1-12 – Pray for Next Generation Leaders

DAY 5 – Acts 20:13-38 – Pray for a faith worth dying for

While we are not gathering in our usual way in our building every week, it is the perfect time to reconsider what is the Church? We’ll start by reading in the book of Acts.

  1. Before reading, what has God been teaching you this week about the church? About yourself? About justice?
  2. Why does Paul leave Corinth or Ephesus, when there still seems to be work to do? What give him the courage to decline the Ephesians’ petitions to stay longer? When have you made a similar decision?
  3.  What stands out to you about Apollos? Who does he remind you of? How should we imitate Apollos? How should we imitate Priscilla and Aquila?
  4. Who is the Holy Spirit? How do you know if you have been given the Holy Spirit? Is it necessary to speak in tongues to be filled with the Spirit?
  5. What is the difference between John’s baptism and Christian baptism?
  6. What do you learn of the power of Jesus’ name? When have you seen people without faith invoke the name of Jesus to become more powerful or convincing? The sons of Sceva show us half-hearted faith, while the sorcerors burn their tools in full submission. What prices have you paid for half-measures? What would full submission look like?
  7. Why are Demetrius and the silversmiths so upset? Who does the gospel of Jesus threaten? Which businesses would be hurt if large numbers of people converted to Jesus in the U.S.A.?
  8. What can we learn from the city clerk (vs35)? How can we imitate him, during this time?
  9. Why does Paul keep so many companions as he travels to teach? Why does he pick someone from nearly every province to become his traveling companion? Who are you travelling with and inviting along the way to learn from you and prepare for leadership? Who are you discipling? When are you with them? What else could you invite them to do with you?
  10. What does Eutychus teach us? Why is this story in the Bible? What does it show us about church? About God? About Preachers?
  11. What does Paul believe God is calling him to do? Why does he share this with the Ephesian elders? What would you have done if you were the elders? If you were Paul?
  12. What advice does he give the elders? What warnings?