New Testament Reading Plan
Discover the life of Jesus, the birth of the church, and the foundations of Christian faith with this focused Bible reading plan. Perfect for new believers and anyone seeking to understand the heart of the Gospel.
Read all 260 chapters from Matthew to Revelation in just 87 days—only 15-20 minutes per day.
~87
Days
3
Chapters/Day
260
Total Chapters
Key Takeaways
The New Testament contains 27 books and 260 chapters covering Jesus' life, the early church, and Christian doctrine
Reading 3 chapters per day completes the New Testament in approximately 87 days (15-20 minutes daily)
Starting with the New Testament is ideal for new believers to meet Jesus before exploring the Old Testament
The four Gospels provide four perspectives on Jesus' life: King (Matthew), Servant (Mark), Man (Luke), God (John)
Acts bridges the Gospels and Epistles, showing how the church was born and spread throughout the Roman world
The epistles provide practical guidance for Christian living, while Revelation reveals Christ's ultimate victory
Why Start with the New Testament?
The New Testament reading plan provides the perfect foundation for understanding Christianity. Explore our Bible Way features designed to enhance your reading experience.
Focus on Jesus
Start with the four Gospels that tell the complete story of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection—the heart of the Christian faith.
3 Chapters Daily
A manageable pace that takes just 15-20 minutes per day, perfect for building a sustainable reading habit.
87 Day Journey
Complete all 260 chapters of the New Testament in under 3 months with consistent daily reading.
Perfect for New Believers
Begin your Bible journey with the teachings of Jesus and the early church before exploring the Old Testament.
Track Progress
Use Bible Way to check off readings, receive reminders, and see your progress through the New Testament.
Group Compatible
Read with friends, family, or your small group using Bible Clubs for shared accountability and discussion.
What You'll Discover in the New Testament
Your 87-day journey covers five major sections, each revealing essential truths about Jesus and the Christian life.
The Gospels (Matthew-John)
89 chapters • ~30 days
Experience the life, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ through four unique perspectives. Matthew presents Jesus as King, Mark as Servant, Luke as the perfect Man, and John as God.
Acts of the Apostles
28 chapters • ~10 days
Witness the birth of the church at Pentecost and follow the Gospel's spread from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth through the ministries of Peter, Paul, and the early believers.
Paul's Letters (Romans-Philemon)
87 chapters • ~29 days
Explore the theological depths of Romans, the practical guidance of Corinthians, and the personal encouragement of Paul's prison epistles. These letters shaped Christian doctrine and practice.
General Epistles (Hebrews-Jude)
34 chapters • ~12 days
Receive wisdom from various apostles on faith, perseverance, practical Christian living, and guarding against false teaching. Hebrews explains Christ's superiority, James emphasizes works, and Peter encourages suffering saints.
Revelation
22 chapters • ~7 days
Conclude your journey with John's apocalyptic vision of Christ's ultimate victory, the defeat of evil, and the creation of a new heaven and new earth where God dwells with His people forever.
Your New Testament Journey
Join thousands of believers who have deepened their faith through systematic New Testament reading
Personal Devotion
Begin each day in God's Word with just 15-20 minutes of focused New Testament reading.
Group Study
Read through the New Testament with your Bible Club or small group for shared insights.
Read Anywhere
Use the Bible Way app to read your New Testament plan on any device, anywhere.
Meet Jesus
The Gospels introduce you to Jesus—His teachings, miracles, and the salvation He offers.
Early Church
Acts and the Epistles show how the first Christians lived out their faith and built the church.
Hope of Glory
Revelation shows Christ's ultimate victory and the hope of eternity with God.
About the New Testament Reading Plan
The New Testament Reading Plan focuses on the 27 books from Matthew to Revelation—the story of Jesus Christ and the early church. This plan is perfect for new believers, those returning to faith, or anyone wanting to deeply understand the Gospel message and the foundations of Christianity.
Reading the New Testament is essential for every Christian. These books contain the direct teachings of Jesus, the history of the early church, and practical instruction for Christian living. Whether you're exploring Christianity for the first time or seeking to deepen your faith, the New Testament provides the core truths you need. Our new believer Bible study pairs perfectly with this reading plan.
Why Read the New Testament First?
Many pastors and Bible teachers recommend starting with the New Testament for several important reasons. First, it introduces you directly to Jesus Christ—the central figure of Christianity. You'll read His actual words, witness His miracles, and understand His sacrifice. Second, the New Testament is more accessible to new readers, with straightforward narrative in the Gospels and practical letters in the Epistles. Third, understanding the New Testament helps you appreciate the Old Testament when you read it later, as you'll see how the prophecies and promises were fulfilled in Christ.
What You'll Discover
- The Gospels (Matthew-John): The life, death, and resurrection of Jesus from four perspectives. See our Life of Jesus reading plan for a focused 30-day Gospel journey.
- Acts: The birth of the church at Pentecost and the spread of the Gospel through Peter, Paul, and the early believers
- The Letters (Romans-Jude): Teaching for Christian living, covering everything from salvation by grace to spiritual gifts to the armor of God
- Revelation: The hope of Christ's return and ultimate victory over evil, culminating in the new heaven and new earth
Perfect For
- New believers: Start with Jesus before exploring the Old Testament. Pair with our new Christians Bible study for deeper understanding.
- Busy readers: A shorter commitment with powerful impact—under 3 months to complete
- Those seeking Jesus: Focus directly on Christ's teachings and life through the Gospels
- Group studies: Perfect for small groups focusing on Christian foundations
Building a Consistent Reading Habit
The key to successfully completing the New Testament reading plan is consistency. Choose a specific time each day—morning, lunch break, or evening—and protect that time for Scripture. Many readers find morning works best, starting the day in God's Word before life's distractions begin. Use Bible Way's daily devotional feature to receive reminders and track your progress.
If you miss a day, don't try to catch up all at once. Simply continue where you left off. The goal isn't perfect adherence to a schedule but consistent engagement with Scripture. Consider reading with a partner or joining a Bible Club for accountability and encouragement.
What Comes Next?
After completing the New Testament, you'll be ready to explore the rest of Scripture. Consider our One Year Bible Reading Plan to read the entire Bible, or explore specific books with our Psalms study or Proverbs study. Many readers also enjoy our Romans Bible study for deeper theological exploration.
What Readers Are Saying
Join thousands who have completed their New Testament reading journey
"As someone new to Christianity, this New Testament plan was perfect. I finished in 3 months and finally understand the story of Jesus and what the apostles taught. Bible Way made it so simple to follow."
"I recommend the New Testament reading plan to every new member of our church. It gives them a solid foundation in the teachings of Jesus before exploring the rest of Scripture."
"Our women's group completed this plan together. Reading the same passages and discussing them weekly transformed our understanding of the Gospels and epistles."
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about reading the New Testament
What is the New Testament reading plan?
The New Testament reading plan is a structured approach to reading all 27 books of the New Testament, from Matthew to Revelation, in approximately 87-90 days. Reading 3 chapters per day, you will cover all 260 chapters that tell the story of Jesus Christ, the early church, and the foundations of Christian faith. This plan is ideal for new believers, those returning to faith, or anyone wanting to focus specifically on the teachings of Jesus and the apostles.
How long does it take to read the New Testament?
With the Bible Way New Testament reading plan, you can complete the entire New Testament in approximately 87 days by reading just 3 chapters per day. This typically takes 15-20 minutes of daily reading. If you read more chapters per day, you can finish faster. For example, reading 5 chapters daily would complete the New Testament in about 52 days, while reading 2 chapters daily extends the plan to about 130 days.
Should I read the New Testament before the Old Testament?
Many Bible teachers recommend starting with the New Testament, especially for new believers or those unfamiliar with Scripture. The New Testament introduces you directly to Jesus Christ and the core teachings of Christianity. Starting with Matthew through John gives you the life and teachings of Jesus, while Acts through Revelation shows how the early church applied these teachings. After completing the New Testament, the Old Testament provides rich background and context for understanding God's complete redemptive story.
What books are in the New Testament?
The New Testament contains 27 books divided into several categories: the four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) telling Jesus' life and ministry; the book of Acts describing the early church; 13 letters from Paul (Romans through Philemon); general epistles (Hebrews, James, 1-2 Peter, 1-3 John, Jude); and the book of Revelation. These 27 books contain 260 chapters and were written by various authors including the apostles Matthew, John, Peter, Paul, and others, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
What is the best order to read the New Testament?
The most common approach is to read the New Testament in canonical order, from Matthew to Revelation. This order presents the Gospels first, giving you the foundation of Jesus' life and teachings. You then move to Acts, which serves as a bridge to the epistles by showing how the church was established. Finally, you read the letters and Revelation. Some readers prefer chronological order based on when books were written, but canonical order works well for most readers and is what our reading plan follows.
How do I stay consistent with my New Testament reading plan?
Consistency comes from building a daily habit. Choose a specific time each day for reading, whether morning, lunch, or evening. Use the Bible Way app to track your progress and receive daily reminders. Print your reading plan and check off each day as you complete it. If you miss a day, don't try to catch up all at once—simply continue where you left off. Reading with a partner or small group also provides accountability and motivation to stay on track.
What should I focus on when reading the New Testament?
Focus on understanding who Jesus is and what He taught. In the Gospels, pay attention to Jesus' miracles, parables, and direct teachings. Notice how He interacted with different people. In Acts, observe how the Holy Spirit empowered the early church. In the epistles, look for practical instructions for Christian living. Take notes on verses that speak to you, questions that arise, and how the passages apply to your life today. The Bible Way app provides study notes and reflection questions to enhance your reading.
Is the New Testament reading plan good for beginners?
Yes, the New Testament reading plan is excellent for beginners. Starting with the New Testament introduces you directly to Jesus and the core message of Christianity before diving into the more complex narratives and laws of the Old Testament. The 3-chapters-per-day pace is manageable for new readers, taking only 15-20 minutes daily. The Gospels use straightforward narrative storytelling, making them accessible to those unfamiliar with Scripture. Many pastors and Bible teachers recommend beginning with the Gospel of John or Mark, both of which you'll encounter early in this plan.
Can I do this reading plan with a group?
Absolutely! The New Testament reading plan works wonderfully for small groups, Sunday school classes, or family devotions. Everyone reads the same passages each day, then you can gather weekly to discuss what you've learned. Bible Way's Bible Clubs feature allows you to create or join a reading group, share insights, and encourage one another. Group reading provides accountability, diverse perspectives on the text, and deeper understanding through discussion.
What translation should I use for reading the New Testament?
Choose a translation you can understand and enjoy reading. The NIV (New International Version) offers a balance of accuracy and readability. The ESV (English Standard Version) provides more literal translation. The NLT (New Living Translation) uses contemporary language that's very accessible. The KJV (King James Version) offers beautiful traditional language. Bible Way supports multiple translations so you can switch between versions or compare passages. The best translation is one you'll actually read consistently.
Additional New Testament Resources
Trusted external resources to deepen your New Testament understanding
BibleGateway - New Testament
Read the New Testament in multiple translations with study notes and cross-references
biblegateway.com →Got Questions - NT Overview
Comprehensive overview of each New Testament book with summaries and key themes
gotquestions.org →Bible Hub Commentaries
Access multiple commentaries on every New Testament verse for deeper study
biblehub.com →Explore Other Reading Plans
Continue your Bible reading journey with these related plans
Start Your New Testament Journey Today
Join thousands of believers who have discovered the power of reading through the New Testament. In just 87 days, you'll walk with Jesus through the Gospels, witness the birth of the church in Acts, learn from Paul's letters, and glimpse the glory of Revelation. Download Bible Way and begin your transformative journey through Scripture today.