Great job staying committed to your Bible reading journey! As you move forward in March, you’ll find your momentum building as you follow the Israelites through their wilderness journey and into the promised land under Joshua’s leadership. Meanwhile, you’ll continue through the fast-paced Gospel of Mark before stepping into Luke, where historical accuracy meets powerful, Spirit-filled storytelling. Keep going—there’s so much ahead to discover!

If you prefer to use your Bible for your daily readings, then you can print off this printable PDF copy of the reading plan for March and pop it inside your Bible.

Please note that we start the readings in the last few days of February and, at the end of the month, we include the 1st April (though I promise there is no April Fool!).

week 1: 26 february – 4 march

OT – Numbers 8-21

The people are to be led by the pillar of cloud/fire, representing the Spirit of God. They are also led by trumpets, which represent the prophetic voice of God, and Moses still gives instructions. God’s people are to be led by the Spirit but still come under spiritual authority. There are various rebellions, but Moses intercedes for the people. Seventy leaders are called to help Moses and the placing of the Spirit that is on Moses upon them gives some insight into the spiritual nature of discipleship. God also indicates his desire for all his people to be prophetic. There is more rebellion, even among leaders, and when God has twelve men scout out the promised land, there is fear and rebellion once again at their reports. Only Joshua and Caleb have faith. God’s punishment is that that generation will die in the wilderness. After further rebellion, the budding of Aaron’s staff shows where the true anointing and spiritual leadership lies. Moses strikes the rock in anger and is punished. Once again there is rebellion and punishment but God has them make a bronze serpent and when they look to it they are healed. This is a picture of Christ on the cross.

Feb. 26: Num 8-9; Feb. 27: Num 10-11; Feb. 28: Num 12-13; Mar. 1: Num 14-15; Mar. 2: Num 16-17; Mar. 3: Num 18-19; Mar. 4: Num 20-21

NT – Mark 6:1-9:29

In Mark, there are many miracles – the healing of a woman with the issue of blood, the raising of Jairus’ daughter, the feeding of the multitudes, walking on water, the healing of deaf and dumb man and of a blind man. Even so, the religious leaders are still asking for a sign! Jesus warns his disciples about them, but they misunderstand him. There are other trials that Jesus faces: the death of John the Baptist, and his own home-town rejecting him because of unbelief. He finds greater faith in a Gentile woman. Faith is what Jesus is looking for and Peter’s confession shows he has understood at least who Jesus is. He also predicts his death and calls his disciples to take up their cross. In the Transfiguration, where Jesus in enveloped in a cloud on a mountain, we are given an insight into his future glory. As he comes down the mountain, Jesus is confronted with yet more lack of faith from his disciples as they fail to heal the boy with an evil spirit.

Feb 26: Mark 6:1-13; Feb 27: Mark 6:14-44: Feb 28: Mark 6:45-7:23; Mar 1: Mark 7:24-37; Mar 2: Mark 8:1-21; Mar 3: Mark 8:22-38; Mar 4: Mark 9:1-29

Week 2: 5 – 11 March

OT – Numbers 22-35

Our reading this week begins with amazing story of God using the rather ungodly Balaam to prophesy blessing on Israel. We may be surprised who God will use – he used a speaking donkey! Phinehas is a picture of the kind of zeal God favours and this new generation of God’s people is signalled by a new census. We see again the importance of inheritance and of the emergence of new leadership as Joshua is appointed, because the Spirit is in him. As well as marking their pilgrimage with all the offerings and festivals Moses shows how they must completely destroy the enemies – like the Midianites – or they would become a snare to them. Certain tribes are permitted to settle on the east side of the Jordan but only after they’ve helped their brothers occupy the land first. Cities of refuge are to be established for people who have accidentally killed someone, but execution is required for deliberate murder.

Mar. 5: Num 22-23; Mar. 6: Num 24-25; Mar. 7: Num 26-27; Mar. 8: Num 28-29; Mar. 9: Num 30-31; Mar. 10: Num 32-33; Mar. 11: Num 34-35.

NT – Mark 9:30-12:34

Once again predicting his own death, Jesus seeks to show that greatness in the Kingdom is achieved by becoming a servant to all. Discipleship is serious with anything that causes us to sin requiring radical action. The radical nature of the Kingdom is shown in Jesus’ challenge to the rich man to sell his possessions and in him driving the money lenders out of the temple. As religious leaders try to catch him out yet again, the cursing of the fig tree that does not produce its fruit, and the parable of the wicked farmers who kill the servants and the son indicates God’s rejection of the old covenant people, Israel, who have failed to produce the fruit, have killed the prophets and will kill the Son, Jesus.  Once again, Jesus challenges his disciples on the serving nature of leadership, and on love for God and for each other as the key to understanding the law of God.

Mar 5: Mark 9:30-50; Mar 6: Mark 10:1-31; Mar 7: Mark 10:32-45; Mar 8: Mark 10:46-52; Mar 9: Mark 11:1-25; Mar 10: Mark 11:27-12:12; Mar 11: Mark 12:13-34.

Week 3: 12 – 18 March

OT – Numbers 36-Deuteronomy 15

The last chapter of Numbers emphasizes the importance of the inheritance – for us, this is no longer about land but about taking hold of the spiritual inheritance of our salvation. As we start Deuteronomy, we see the importance of reviewing our pilgrimage. Moses recalls the appointing of a leader to share the load and as he recalls the failure of the 10 scouts to have faith when they spied out the land, it is significant that it was one of the men of faith, Joshua, who is appointed to replace Moses as leader. Much of the next few chapters, and of Deuteronomy generally, is about the importance of obeying God as he leads them into the land. They are reminded first of what God has done for them, and of how he spoke from the fire on the mountain. They must live by his every word as they enter into the land and drive out the enemies. The picture of the blessings and victory in the land are a picture of what we can enjoy of our salvation as we continue in faith and obedience. The main thing God warns them against is idolatry – worshipping foreign gods. God also makes provisions for the poor in the land.

Mar. 12: Num 36; Deut 1; Mar. 13: Deut 2-4:31; Mar. 14: Deut 4:32-5:33; Mar. 15: Deut 6-8; Mar. 16: Deut 9-10; Mar. 17: Deut 11-13; Mar. 18: Deut 14-15.

You can find a Book Background to Deuteronomy here.

NT – Mark 12:35-15:32

Jesus gives his clearest warnings against the religious leaders at the beginning of this week’s readings. He has more praise for the unknown, poor widow who gives all she has out of her poverty! He is also unimpressed with the outward temple, prophesying its destruction. He goes on to speak of other signs of the end as they are often called. It is clear that some of what he is speaking is about the destruction of the Jewish temple in history (AD70) but other parts are about the actual end of time. There are multiple fulfillments of these prophecies of wars and earthquakes, false Messiahs and prophets, persecutions etc. but we are to see them as opportunities to testify and believe that the Holy Spirit will help us. As we don’t know the actual time of the end, the important thing is to stay alert, as the parable of the house owner illustrates. Once again, we have an account of the betrayal of Jesus, Peter’s denial of him, his trial and his crucifixion.

Mar 12: Mark 12:35-13:13; Mar 13: Mark 13:14-27; Mar 14: Mark 13:28-14:9; Mar 15: Mark 14:10-31; Mar 16: Mark 14:32-52; Mar 17: Mark 14:53-72; Mar 18: Mark 15:1-32.

Week 4: 19 – 25 March

OT – Deuteronomy 16-32

The people are reminded of the festivals they are to celebrate to help them recall all that God has done for them. There are various rules about judges and God clearly has a concern about justice. He also prepares them for when they come to want a King. He gives some rules about that, with the key issue being that the King depends on God and not his own strength or wealth. There are also instructions about the priestly tribe of Levites. God also speaks of a prophet like Moses arising in the future and warns them of false prophets. These central roles of prophet, priest and king which recur throughout the Old Testament all ultimately point to Jesus. There are numerous and various other laws and regulations, including ones which have a direct spiritual application like ones about avoiding mixture, or not muzzling the ox while it treads out the grain (see 1 Cor.9:9-12). These are all terms of the covenant and there are promises of blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience. The people are to understand the seriousness of breaking covenant, and be faithful to what is revealed – to obey it and to pass it on to their children.

Mar. 19: Deut 16-18; Mar. 20: Deut 19-21; Mar. 21: Deut 22-24; Mar. 22: Deut 25-27; Mar. 23: Deut 28; Mar. 24: Deut 29-30; Mar. 25 Deut 31-32.

NT – Mark 15:33-Luke 2:52

This week we come to the end of Mark’s gospel. We read of the death and resurrection of Jesus, and the slowness of the disciples to believe. They are commissioned to preach the gospel everywhere and there is an emphasis on the miraculous signs that will accompany their preaching. We start a new gospel, Luke, with a placing of these events clearly within human history. But there is also a strong sense of activity in the supernatural, heavenly realms determining events – with angels visiting Zechariah, Mary and the shepherds. With the birth of both John the Baptist and Jesus there is a strong emphasis on the work of the Holy Spirit. There is also a sense, especially in the prophecies of the old prophets, Anna and Simeon, of God’s long-awaited promises being fulfilled and of God working his purpose out. The Saviour has arrived. With a brief insight into Jesus’ boyhood, we see him about his Father’s business and in his Father’s house.

Mar 19: Mark 15:33-16:8; Mar 20: Mark 16:9-20; Luke 1:1-25; Mar 21: Luke 1:26-38; Mar 22: Luke 1:39-56; Mar 23: Luke 1:57-80; Mar 24: Luke 2:1-20; Mar 25: Luke 2:21-52

You can find a Book Background to Luke here.

week 5: 26 March – 1 April

OT – Deuteronomy 33-Joshua 16

Moses concludes his message of warnings and blessings. He climbs the mountain to see the promised land, and then he dies. Joshua now takes over as leader and we begin the book of Joshua, which is about God’s people entering and possessing the land. In many ways this is a picture of Jesus leading us into our spiritual inheritance, our salvation in him. Joshua’s leadership is to be marked by courage and strength that comes from God’s presence and God’s word. Having sent spies to spy out the land, the people start by crossing the Jordan, a picture of us passing from the old life to our new life in Christ. They then devote themselves to the Lord, shown through the sign of circumcision, and Joshua encounters the holiness of God who will be their captain in the battles to come as they possess the land. There is a great victory at Jericho as they follow the Lord’s lead but then there is defeat at Ai because of the sin of one man. The next chapters are about the various battles the people had had in order to possess the land. These stories are best understood as pictures of us overcoming the different spiritual enemies that seek to rob us of our inheritance in Christ. When they followed the Lord’s leading, they were successful but when they did things their own way they were defeated. God then begins to assign the different parts of the land to various people and tribes. It reminds us that we should accept ‘the lot’ that the Lord assigns us, but the examples of Caleb, his daughter and Zelophehad’s daughters show us the place of bold faith in laying hold of our inheritance.

Mar. 26: Deut 33-34; Josh 1; Mar. 27: Josh 2-4; Mar. 28: Josh 5-7; Mar. 29: Josh 8-9; Mar. 30: Josh 10-11; Mar. 31: Josh 12-14; Apr. 1: Josh 15-16.

You can find a Book Background to Joshua here.

NT – Luke 3:1-6:38

John the Baptist prepares the way for the Messiah to come. He called people to true and deep repentance, getting to the root of sin. When Jesus is baptised the Spirit descends on him like a dove and the Father’s voice comes from heaven declaring his love for his Son. The whole Trinity is involved in our salvation. He is then led by the Spirit into the wilderness where he is tempted by the devil. At the heart of the temptations is to seek power, glory and the kingdoms of the word in the devil’s way rather than the way the Father has prepared for him. He defeat’s the enemy and then comes out of the wilderness in the power of the Spirit, to declare what the Spirit is anointing him to do, his mission. The people react badly when he shows favour to the Gentiles, the first of many times when Jesus hints clearly that his message and his mission is for all nations, not just the Jewish people. He then begins to preach and to heal the sick, and to begin to call his first disciples. But he also often withdrew to quiet places to pray to his Father. He upset and challenged the religious leaders of his day by deliberately healing someone on the Sabbath. Luke’s version of the Sermon on the Mount begins with the startling beatitudes, which reverse all this world’s ideas of what counts as a blessed life, and then on to a core characteristic of his Father’s kingdom – love for enemies.

Mar 26: Luke 3:1-20; Mar. 27: Luke 3:21-38; Mar 28: Luke 4:1-30; Mar 29: Luke 4:31-5:11; Mar 30: Luke 5:12-39; Mar 31: Luke 6:1-26; Apr 1: Luke 6:27-42