week 1: 1 – 7 october

OT – Proverbs 12 – 29

As you read through Proverbs this week, you’ll discover many pearls of wisdom on daily life. The book highlights the value of humility and teachability, showing that a willingness to learn is the path to true wisdom. It speaks about the power of words, urging us to speak truthfully, carefully, and kindly, knowing how deeply our speech can shape others. Proverbs also warns against anger and quarrelling, commending patience and peace as the way to avoid harm. On wealth, it counsels wise stewardship and warns against greed, reminding us that lasting contentment comes from God. And it contrasts laziness with diligence, encouraging perseverance and hard work as the way to lasting fruitfulness. These and many other gems make Proverbs a rich guide to living wisely and well.

Oct. 1: Prov 12-14; Oct. 2: Prov 15-17; Oct. 3: Prov 18-20 Oct. 4: Prov 21-22; Oct. 5: Prov 23-24; Oct. 6: Prov 25-26; Oct. 7: Prov 27-29

NT – Galatians 6 – Ephesians 5

Galatians ends with a stirring call to live by the Spirit, expressed in serving others and doing good. Ephesians then lifts our eyes to the vast purpose of God: his plan to unite all things under Christ. In its opening chapter we are reminded of our astonishing identity and calling as those who are ‘in Christ,’ caught up in the unfolding of this eternal plan. Yet the focus is not only on individuals but on the Church — the body of Christ, the new humanity formed as walls of hostility are broken down and all are reconciled to God. The final chapters show how this calling shapes everyday life: the Church is to grow in maturity, purity, and unity as each member plays their part, supported by leaders and sustained by the Spirit. And this new life is to be worked out in the ordinary rhythms of home, work, and relationships, as together we embody the reality of who we are in Christ.

There is an introduction to Ephesians here.

Oct. 1: Gal 6; Oct. 2: Eph 1:1-14; Oct. 3: Eph 1:15-2:10; Oct. 4: Eph 2:11-3:13; Oct. 5: Eph 3:14-4:16; Oct. 6: Eph 4:17-5:14; Oct. 7: Eph 5:15-33

week 2: 8 – 14 October

OT – Proverbs 30 – Isaiah 5

We end the book of Proverbs this week with the sayings of Agur, the sayings of Lemuel and the fascinating poem on the wife of noble character. These final chapters continue Proverbs’ themes of wisdom, humility, hard work, contentment and justice. We then move on to the book of Ecclesiastes a strikingly honest reflection on the meaning of life. It wrestles with the fleeting nature of pursuits such as wealth, power, and fame, and concludes that true purpose is found only in fearing God (in the sense of total commitment to him) and obeying his commands. We then read through the Song of Songs a celebration of love and desire between a bride and and her beloved. Traditionally interpreted as an allegory of God’s love for his people, it reflects themes of intimacy, longing, and joy in union. (Because we pass through these books quickly, I’d encourage you to read the Book Backgrounds to each of these to get a fuller idea of what to expect). We then arrive at the final major section of the Old Testament: the Prophets (see here for the main divisions of the Old Testament). Our journey begins with the magisterial book of Isaiah whose opening chapters set out his message of both judgment and hope — exposing Israel’s sin, warning of God’s coming discipline, and holding out the promise of future restoration by God’s mercy.

There is an introduction to Ecclesiastes here, to Song of Songs here, and to Isaiah here.

Oct. 8: Prov 30-31; Oct. 9: Eccl 1-4; Oct. 10: Eccl 5-8; Oct. 11: Eccl 9-12; Oct. 12: Song 1-6; Oct. 13: Song 7-8; Isaiah 1; Oct. 14: Isaiah 2-5

NT – Ephesians 6:1 – Colossians 1:23

Ephesians 6 closes with practical teaching on Christian living and the reality of spiritual warfare. Paul begins with guidance for family and household relationships, urging children to honour their parents and masters to treat their servants with fairness. He then moves into the famous passage on the ‘armour of God,’ calling believers to clothe themselves with God’s strength so they can stand firm against spiritual opposition.

We then get to read the whole of Philippians, Paul’s joyful letter written from prison to the church at Philippi. Despite his chains, it overflows with gratitude, urging believers to live with humility like Christ, to stand firm in faith through suffering, and to make Jesus their highest aim. Unity, self-giving love, and the pursuit of spiritual maturity are constant threads, with joy shining as the letter’s keynote.

Finally we begin Paul’s letter to the Colossians. Paul opens with thanksgiving for the faith of the believers there, before breaking into a majestic hymn of praise to Christ—the one through whom all things were created and by whom all things are sustained.

This is an introduction to Philippians here and to Colossians here

Oct. 8: Eph 6; Oct. 9: Phil 1; Oct. 10: Phil 2:1-18; Oct. 11: Phil 2:19-3:16; Oct. 12: Phil 3:17-4:9; Oct. 13: Phil 4:10-23; Oct. 14: Col 1:1-23

week 3: 15-21 october

OT – Isaiah 6 – 30

Isaiah prophesied during a period when Judah was under constant threat from the Assyrian empire. His message to King Ahaz was clear and searching: would he trust in God for deliverance or look to political alliances for security? The first half of Isaiah (chapters 1–35) is largely filled with prophecies of judgment, which can make it feel heavy to read, yet even here words of warning are woven together with songs of praise, reminding us that God’s judgment is righteous and ultimately redemptive. By contrast, the second half of the book turns more to themes of comfort and hope. Isaiah also draws a distinction between God’s discipline of his covenant people—often symbolised by Jerusalem—and his judgment on the nations he uses as instruments of that discipline. For God’s people, judgment serves as refining discipline, leading toward restoration; for the nations, continued rebellion ends in devastation. In this way, Isaiah shows us both the severity of God’s justice and the depth of his mercy.

Oct. 15: Isaiah 6-8; Oct. 16: Isaiah 9-11; Oct. 17: Isaiah 12-15; Oct. 18: Isaiah 16-20; Oct. 19: Isaiah 21-23; Oct. 20: Isaiah 24-27; Oct. 21: Isaiah 28-30

NT – Colossians 1:24 – 1 Thessalonians 4:18

At the beginning of Colossians, Paul prays that the believers would grow in a deep understanding of the gospel, enabling them to live lives worthy of the Lord. His message is centred entirely on Christ — pre-eminent in creation and supreme in salvation. He reminds them that their true identity is found ‘in Christ,’ a truth that frees them from the traps of religious legalism and leads them into the joy of new life in him. This identity not only reshapes the heart but also directs the way we live day by day in practical, ordinary situations.

In 1 Thessalonians, Paul gives thanks for the way the believers embraced the gospel as God’s word, even though it brought suffering. He commends their steadfast faith, love, and hope in the coming of Jesus, presenting them as a model for other churches. The letter also opens a window into Paul’s pastoral heart, showing how an apostle cares for and encourages a local community. He urges them to grow in holiness, brotherly love, and diligence in daily work, and he closes with words of reassurance, pointing to the resurrection of the dead and the hope of Christ’s return.

There is an introduction to 1 Thessalonians here

Oct. 15: Col 1:24-2:5; Oct. 16: Col 2:6-23; Oct. 17: Col 3; Oct. 18: Col 4; Oct. 19: 1 Thess 1:1-2:16; Oct. 20: 1 Thess 2:17-3:13. Oct. 21: 1 Thess 4

week 4: 22-28 october

OT – Isaiah 31 – 54

As we move further into Isaiah, messages of judgment remain interwoven with hope for the restoration of Jerusalem and God’s people — symbolic of the Church. Even in the severity of discipline, God’s purpose is never destruction but renewal. The historical backdrop of King Hezekiah and the Assyrian siege of Jerusalem reminds us that no matter how overwhelming the threat, God is sovereign, and nothing unfolds outside his will or his plan for ultimate good.

In the second half of the book, themes of comfort and restoration become increasingly prominent. Central to this hope is the figure of the ‘servant of the Lord’—at times representing Israel, yet ultimately fulfilled in Jesus, the suffering servant who went to the cross like a lamb to the slaughter. Alongside this, Isaiah repeatedly contrasts the greatness of God with the emptiness of idols, declaring the Lord’s unrivalled sovereignty and majesty over all creation.

Oct. 22: Isaiah 31-33; Oct. 23: Isaiah 34:1-37:20; Oct. 24: Isaiah 37:21-40:31; Oct. 25: Isaiah 41-42; Oct. 26: Isaiah 43-46; Oct. 27: Isaiah 47-50; Oct. 28: Isaiah 51-54

NT – 1 Thessalonians 5 – 1 Timothy 5

Paul concludes 1 Thessalonians by urging believers to stay awake and live with eager expectation for Jesus’ return. He gives practical instructions and encouragements to help them remain faithful and ready. In 2 Thessalonians, Paul continues to strengthen them in the face of suffering for the Kingdom, while also correcting confusion about the Day of the Lord. He reassures them that it has not yet come, and calls them to stand firm, live faithfully, and work diligently—reminding them that hope in Christ’s coming is never an excuse for idleness but a motivation for godly living.

In 1 Timothy, Paul once again tackles the problem of false teaching, urging the young Timothy to confront it boldly and to establish sound doctrine within the church. Alongside this charge, Paul gives practical guidance for life in God’s household. He addresses public worship, the qualities of leaders, and the right attitude toward wealth, reminding believers that godliness and contentment matter far more than material gain.

There is an introduction to 2 Thessalonians here. There is an introduction to 1 Timothy here

Oct. 22: 1 Thess 5; Oct. 23: 2 Thess 1-2; Oct. 24: 2 Thess 3; 1 Tim 1:1-11; Oct. 25: 1 Tim 1:12-2:15; Oct. 26: 1 Tim 3; Oct. 27: 1 Tim 4; Oct. 28: 1 Tim 5