Share your thoughts!
Reading through the Word in fellowship with others is a vastly different experience than dong so by yourself. We highly encourage you to share your thoughts with each other! It could be a question, a comment, historical context, whatever you'd like to share with your fellow Bible Champions. You can share by filling out the form below:
Recent questions & comments
While reading Genesis, I struggled with the stories about women. I would not want to be a woman in early biblical times. They were jealous of each other and only having self-worth by birthing babies. But after reading Mark 5, Jesus treated women with care. He healed a woman bleeding and a daughter who was almost dead. Thank God Jesus set a new example about how to treat sisters. -SB
Q: In Matthew 24:29-31 is Jesus talking about the second coming or the rapture? When he continues on in vs26-41, it seems like the rapture? Thank you! -NT
A: Jesus’ teaching on the end times in Matthew 24 allows for several interpretations. For example, is he talking about the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans in 70 A.D.? Or is he talking about an event called the rapture that the Apostle Paul references in 1 Thess. 4:13-18? Or is he talking about both of those things in the same teaching time? Considering that Jesus didn’t come back in 70 A.D., we would do well to think that Jesus was referring to the rapture. And if that is the case, then we shouldn’t be staring into the sky awaiting his return, but rather be ready, faithful, and wise to be about the Lord’s business (Matt. 24:36-51). – PK
Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace. 2 Pet. 3:14
Q: Hi! What's happening in Matthew 27:52-53? -CV
A: First, no, those who rose from their graves at the time of the resurrection of Jesus were not zombies! They are called saints, which describes the righteous ones who follow God.
It’s unclear whether these were Old or New Testament saints. The saints were and are those in whom God delights (Ps. 16:3) sing praises to (Ps. 30:4), loves (Ps 31:23), and fears the Lord (Ps.34:9). In describing the saints, the prophet Daniel used the phrase, “saints of the Most High” four times.
The remarkable thing here is that on or about the resurrection day of Jesus, many saints who had died and were buried rose from their graves…and then they walked into Jerusalem! That certainly had to cause a shock to those who had attended their funerals (very much like when Lazarus walked out of his tomb at the command of Jesus). They were alive, just as Jesus was alive. They were living proof that the power of God was and is more than enough to resurrect the dead – just as Jesus and his Apostles preached. And that is our hope today, the resurrection of the dead. – PK
And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. Acts 4:33
Q: Mt. 24 blew my mind in both halves: (1) the ideas/theories of what Jesus is prophesying about and (2) “being on watch.” As to (2), I’m a bit of a UAP (UFO) nerd, so I can totally picture people being like vaporized out in the field like out of sci fi! I’d be curious as to (1) to better understand Jesus’s comments about for example, the “abomination that causes desolation.” Thanks everyone. It’s encouraging to think of y’all reading along. -MB
A: What’s up with the “abomination of desolation” that Jesus refers to in Matt.24:15 and the prophet Daniel in Dan. 9:27, 11:31, 12:11? Well, we really don’t know whether this abomination of desolation is an object or person that will be set up in the Temple in Jerusalem. Some believe this event has already happened, because the Temple was destroyed (and the sacrifices stopped) by the Roman Empire in 70 AD. However, others believe that the Temple will one day be rebuilt (and sacrifices restored), which means this defiling abomination of desolation has yet to happen. If the latter is the case, then we need to be on the lookout for it, because when it happens, we need to heed Jesus’ warning and run for the hills! – PK
Q: Genesis 20... I'm lost! Who's who's sister but wife but my father's daughter but not my mother's and the king taking her? So much going on.
Abraham saying his wife is his sister so the people wouldn't kill him but yet God is going to give him a child even though he has done/said this?
Am I lost or really following the biblical drama that seems like 2025?!
Could I actually be comprehending this correctly and it will eventually lead me to its purpose? Idk -LB
A: Haha, I agree with you that some of the accounts in Genesis seem like scripts from the old TV soap opera Days of Our Lives.
Abraham actually lied about his wife Sarah only being his sister not once, but twice! (See Gen 12 and 20). One lesson to learn here is that even though we may mess up royally, God is still sovereign and merciful. That's actually comforting to me, because I know that though there are times when I get way off track and make bad decisions, God is faithful and doesn't abandon me, but helps me get back into his plan for my life. - PK
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If you would like to download the pdf version of the reading plan, you can find it below.
To follow along in YouVersion, you can also find that below.
Make note that the Bible app plan diverges slightly on day 216 (Aug 4); our plan puts Psalms in-between Mark and Luke, but the app plan goes through all four Gospels then ends in Psalms.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to follow the suggested reading plan, or can I use another?
We ask that you use the Harbor Bible reading plan. This way, everyone in the church is reading the same chapters each week. Also, with our suggested reading plan, you’ll be reading the entire Bible as well as twice through the New Testament and the book of Psalms. Surprise!
Can I listen to an audio version of the Bible rather than reading it?
We highly encourage you to read the Bible rather than listen to an audio version. By reading your Bible you’ll be able to underline or highlight verses as well as write notes in the margins; those are things that you just can’t do when you’re listening to an audio version. Think about it; would you listen to a physics book to prep for a college exam, or would you read and mark it to gain full comprehension?
Is it okay to get way ahead in my reading?
Getting slightly ahead or falling slightly behind in your reading is okay, but we remind you that we are supposed to be reading the Bible together. Please stay in the peloton and do you best to not race ahead or fall way behind. This way, we can talk together about what we’re reading when we see each other during the week or when we come to church. Remember, this isn’t a competition to see who finishes first.
What version of the Bible should I read?
Please feel free to use whatever version of the Bible you choose. It also doesn’t matter whether you read a paper Bible or use a Bible app.
When and where do I read?
You can read anytime of the day and wherever you can find a nice chair and cup of tea, hot chocolate, or coffee.
How do I know what to read each day?
The easiest way to keep track of your reading is to pick up a reading plan at church. You can also download the reading plan above.
Does the suggested reading plan just go from Genesis to Revelation?
With our suggested reading plan, you’ll be reading four chapters of the Bible each day. The nice thing about it is that each day you’ll be reading chapters from both the Old and New Testament.
How often do those who are reading through the Bible meet together?
We’re only planning on meeting together in person two times in the coming year. Once, about six months in, to encourage each other, and then at the end of the year for a celebratory party and getting our Bible Reading Champion mugs.
What do I get if I read through the Bible in a year?
First, you’ll gain an incredible knowledge about how God has revealed himself to mankind. Second, you’ll draw closer to God. Third, you’ll get a Bible Reading Champion mug!
What if I fall behind, get discouraged, and want to stop reading?
We will do our best to help you stay encouraged and continue your reading! Each week you’ll receive an email of encouragement from Pastor Keith to help you keep going in your reading.
How can I share my comments with everyone else in the Bible reading peloton?
You can send in your comments, insights, or questions about what you’re reading on this page or to the church office. Within days your input will appear on the 2025 Harbor Bible Peloton page of our website.
What's up with all the numbers and letter combinations in the reading plan?
When you look at your reading plan and see things like 2Sa, Am, Jdg, 1Th, or Rev and are wondering what in the world those are, relax, you’re not alone. Those odd combinations of letters and numbers are simply the abbreviations of the sixty-six books of the Bible. To figure them out, simply turn to the Table of Contents in your Bible.
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Reading through the Bible in a year has amazing benefits for those who are following Jesus. The problem is that most people who start reading in the beginning of January never make it past the end of February. The reality is that reading through the Bible in a year can be hard if you try to do it all alone. Don’t give up trying! There’s hope!
This coming year at The Harbor Church we are inviting you to join a large group of people from our church who will be reading through the Bible. Each weekday you’ll be reading three chapters; on the weekends, you’ll be reading four chapters. You can do this! We can do this together!
To keep you on track, you’ll receive weekly words of encouragement from others in the reading peloton who are reading along with you. In addition, Pastor Keith will be sharing weekly insights to help keep you motivated. As a bonus, you’ll receive the prize of a Bible Reading Champion mug when you finish reading through the Bible at the end of the year, as well as be invited to a celebration party.