Riverside Reading Plan

The tragic fall of humanity unfolds through subtle deception and pride. The Hebrew word "nachash" (serpent) connects to themes of deception throughout Scripture. Watch for the breakdown of relationships: with God (hiding), each other (blame), and creation (curse). Yet here we find the the first gospel promise in verse 15, pointing to Christ's victory over Satan. This chapter explains...

Today's reading provides a complementary view of creation, focusing intimately on humanity's formation. The Hebrew word "yatsar" (formed) depicts God as a potter, showing His personal care in human creation. We see the first marriage covenant, establishing God's design for human relationships. The chapter introduces themes of work, rest, and human responsibility. This pre-fal...

In this foundational chapter, we encounter the majesty of God's creative power. The Hebrew text uses the word "bara" (created) to emphasize God's unique creative ability. Notice the beautiful literary structure of each day, building anticipation toward humanity's creation. This chapter establishes crucial themes: God's sovereignty, the goodness of creation, and human dign...

This epilogue provides a beautiful picture of restoration as Peter, who denied Jesus three times, receives a three-fold commission to feed Jesus's sheep. The miraculous catch of fish echoes earlier scenes while pointing to future ministry. Notice how the chapter, and the Gospel, ends by pointing to the vastness of Jesus's works and words, suggesting that what's written is just the begi...

The empty tomb leads to a series of powerful personal encounters with the risen Jesus. Mary Magdalene, the disciples, and Thomas each meet Jesus in their doubt and grief, finding transformation through their encounters. Watch how belief and witness become central themes, culminating in the Gospel's purpose statement about believing and having life. Download the full reading plan and learn more...

John's account of the crucifixion emphasizes Jesus's royal identity even in his suffering. From Pilate's "Behold the man" to "It is finished," each detail carries theological significance. Notice how John includes unique details like Jesus's care for his mother and the flow of blood and water. The fulfillment of scripture continues through Jesus's death and burial. Download the full reading plan a...

The passion narrative begins with Jesus's arrest in a garden and moves through his trials before Jewish and Roman authorities. Peter's denial contrasts with Jesus's bold assertion of truth before Pilate. Watch how Jesus remains in control even while appearing powerless, fulfilling scripture and his own predictions. The question "What is truth?" resonates through the ages. Dow...

In what's often called Jesus's high priestly prayer, we're privileged to hear his intimate conversation with the Father. This prayer moves in expanding circles from Jesus himself to his disciples to all future believers. The themes of glory, unity, and protection weave throughout, revealing Jesus's heart for his followers. Notice how this prayer offers both comfort and challenge to...

Jesus continues preparing his disciples for his departure, promising that their coming grief will transform into joy. The work of the Holy Spirit is further explained, while the cryptic saying about "a little while" points to both the cross and resurrection. Watch how Jesus balances honesty about coming trials with assurance of ultimate victory, speaking both to his original disciples and to follo...

Through the metaphor of a vineyard, Jesus describes the intimate connection between himself and his followers. This agricultural image reveals spiritual truths about abiding, fruit-bearing, and pruning. The chapter moves from this nurturing imagery to warnings about the world's hatred, preparing disciples for both fruitfulness and persecution. Notice how love remains the central command even a...

As Jesus begins his farewell discourse, he addresses his disciples' troubled hearts with profound promises. His declaration "I am the way, the truth, and the life" offers exclusive claims alongside inclusive invitation. The promise of the Holy Spirit as Advocate introduces a new dimension of God's presence. Pay attention to how Jesus prepares his followers for his departure while...

The Last Supper begins with a shocking act: Jesus, the master, washing his disciples' feet. This chapter moves from this profound and intimate demonstration of humble service to Jesus's new commandment of love. Listen to how the themes of betrayal and loyalty interweave as Jesus predicts both Judas's betrayal and Peter's denial. Notice how true greatness is redefined through service, setting the s...

As Jesus enters Jerusalem, this chapter bridges between his public ministry and his final hours. A dinner celebration, a triumphal entry, and inquiring Greeks all point to Jesus's approaching "hour" of glorification through death. The themes of light and darkness return as Jesus gives his final public teachings. Listen to how this chapter weaves together images from earlier in the Gospel while poi...

The raising of Lazarus stands as Jesus's final and most powerful sign in John's Gospel. This dramatic chapter reveals Jesus's very human emotions alongside his divine power over death itself. The aftermath of this miracle forces a decision: as many believe, the religious authorities finally determine Jesus must die. Notice how personal grief intertwines with public revelation, as Jesus declares hi...

Moving from blindness to clarity, Jesus reveals himself through two powerful "I am" statements: "I am the door" and "I am the good shepherd." Drawing on imagery that would have immediately resonated with his audience – from David's Psalm 23 to Ezekiel's prophecies about false shepherds – Jesus distinguishes himself from all pretenders. The chapter builds from pastoral care to cosmic claims about J...

A man blind from birth becomes the focus of Jesus's sixth sign, but this miracle ripples far beyond physical healing. As the man's eyes are opened, the chapter unfolds like a courtroom drama – complete with hostile questioning, conflicting testimony, and a final verdict. The healed man moves from calling Jesus "the man" to declaring him "Lord," while the religious leaders, despite their physical s...

Opening with the compelling story of a woman caught in adultery, this chapter moves to Jesus's bold declaration: "I am the light of the world." The intense dialogue that follows reveals deep truths about Jesus's identity, culminating in his extraordinary claim, "Before Abraham was, I am." There is now a growing conflict between light and darkness, truth and falsehood, freedom and bondage. The chap...

During the Festival of Tabernacles, tension builds as Jesus publicly teaches in Jerusalem. This chapter is filled with debate about Jesus's identity and authority, while the religious leaders attempt to arrest him. Listen for imagery of water, as Jesus promises "rivers of living water" during a festival that featured water ceremonies. Notice how the chapter presents a range of responses to Jesus -...

Opening with the feeding of five thousand, this chapter moves from physical bread to profound teaching about Jesus as the bread of life. The miracle of walking on water demonstrates Jesus's authority over creation, while the subsequent discourse challenges his followers to decide if they will accept his radical claims. Notice how the crowd's enthusiasm turns to confusion and even rejection as Jesu...

A healing at the pool of Bethesda sparks controversy because it occurs on the Sabbath. This leads to one of Jesus's most profound discourses about his relationship with the Father and his authority over life and death. The opposition Jesus faces here foreshadows the conflict that will lead to his crucifixion. Pay attention to how Jesus uses this controversy to reveal deeper truths about his identi...

At a Samaritan well, Jesus breaks through social, religious, and gender barriers in his conversation with a woman considered by all demographics to be an outsider. This encounter transforms not only her life but her entire community as she can’t help but to recount her meeting with Jesus. The chapter then shifts to a royal official whose son is healed, demonstrating that Jesus's word is effective...

This chapter records one of scripture's most famous conversations - a nighttime encounter between Jesus and Nicodemus, a respected religious teacher. Their dialogue about being "born again" or "born from above" explores what it means to enter God's kingdom and culminates in what many consider the Bible's most famous verse - John 3:16. Notice how the chapter concludes by returning to John the Bapti...

In John chapter 2 we witness Jesus's first miraculous sign at a wedding in Cana, where an ordinary celebration becomes the setting for revealing divine glory and gives us a glimpse into the role of Jesus’s mother. The chapter then dramatically shifts to the temple in Jerusalem, where Jesus's bold actions challenge the religious status quo. Notice how both events - turning water to wine and clearin...

John chapter one presents Jesus as the eternal Word, highlights John the Baptist's testimony, and describes Jesus calling his first disciples. The reading emphasizes profound revelations about Jesus's identity, encouraging listeners to focus on miracles and key titles for a deeper understanding. Download the full reading plan and learn more at www.riverside.faith/read

Welcome back! I can't believe it's been 4 years since we've done a reading plan together. Throughout this year, we'll read selected books of the Bible to gain a better understanding of God's grand plan for humanity. A new episode will release every day Monday through Saturday, starting January 6 and ending December 31. Download the full reading plan and learn more at www.riverside.faith/read Thank...