Preparing for Easter: Lent Bible Reading Plan

Easter is my favorite holiday, and today marks the beginning of Lent, a season of reflection, repentance, and preparation leading up to the celebration of Jesus' resurrection. Lent is a 40-day journey (not counting Sundays) that mirrors Jesus' time of fasting and prayer in the wilderness. It's a time to draw closer to God, refocus, and prepare for Easter morning.

A couple of weeks ago, I wrote about using ChatGPT to study the Bible. Well, I decided to take my own advice and asked ChatGPT to create a daily Bible reading plan that I could do with my kids from Ash Wednesday through Easter Sunday. I wanted to invite you to join me in preparing for Easter. Feel free to use the following verses or create your own daily reading plan.

I will also be posting the verses weekly in case you need a reminder!

Lent Bible Reading Plan

Week 1: Preparing Our Hearts

Ash Wednesday: Joel 2:12-14 – Return to Me with all your heart
Thursday: Psalm 51:1-12 – A prayer of repentance
Friday: Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 – Fasting and heavenly treasures
Saturday: Isaiah 58:6-12 – True fasting that pleases God
Sunday: Mark 1:9-15 – Jesus' baptism and temptation in the wilderness

Week 2: Jesus Begins His Ministry

Monday: Luke 4:16-22 – Jesus declares His mission
Tuesday: Matthew 5:1-12 – The Beatitudes
Wednesday: Matthew 5:13-16 – Salt and light
Thursday: Matthew 6:25-34 – Do not worry
Friday: Matthew 7:24-29 – Build your house on the rock
Saturday: John 3:1-17 – Jesus and Nicodemus
Sunday: John 4:7-26 – Jesus and the Samaritan woman

Week 3: Jesus’ Miracles & Teachings

Monday: Mark 2:1-12 – Jesus heals the paralyzed man
Tuesday: Matthew 14:13-21 – Feeding the 5,000
Wednesday: Mark 4:35-41 – Jesus calms the storm
Thursday: John 6:25-40 – Jesus, the Bread of Life
Friday: Matthew 18:21-35 – Parable of the unforgiving servant
Saturday: Luke 15:1-10 – Parables of the lost sheep and lost coin
Sunday: Luke 15:11-32 – Parable of the prodigal son

Week 4: Jesus Faces Opposition

Monday: John 8:1-11 – Jesus forgives the adulterous woman
Tuesday: John 9:1-12, 35-41 – Jesus heals the blind man
Wednesday: Luke 19:1-10 – Jesus and Zacchaeus
Thursday: Matthew 21:12-17 – Jesus clears the temple
Friday: John 10:11-18 – Jesus, the Good Shepherd
Saturday: John 11:17-44 – Jesus raises Lazarus
Sunday: John 15:1-17 – The vine and the branches

Week 5: Jesus’ Teachings on Love & Servanthood

Monday: Matthew 22:34-40 – The greatest commandment
Tuesday: John 13:34-35 – A new commandment: Love one another
Wednesday: Matthew 25:31-46 – The sheep and the goats
Thursday: Luke 10:25-37 – The Good Samaritan
Friday: Philippians 2:1-11 – Jesus’ humility and obedience
Saturday: Mark 10:35-45 – The call to servanthood
Sunday: John 15:18-25 – "If the world hates you..."

Week 6: Jesus Prepares for the Cross

Monday: Matthew 26:36-46 – Jesus prays in Gethsemane
Tuesday: John 18:1-14 – Jesus is arrested
Wednesday: John 18:15-27 – Peter denies Jesus
Thursday: John 18:28-40 – Jesus before Pilate
Friday: Isaiah 53:1-12 – The suffering servant
Saturday: Hebrews 4:14-16 – Jesus, our great High Priest
Palm Sunday: John 12:12-19 – Jesus enters Jerusalem

Holy Week: The Passion of Christ

Monday: John 13:1-17 – Jesus washes the disciples' feet
Tuesday: John 14:1-14 – I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life
Wednesday: Matthew 26:6-16 – Jesus anointed & Judas’ betrayal
Maundy Thursday: Luke 22:7-23 – The Last Supper
Good Friday: Matthew 27:27-50 – The crucifixion
Holy Saturday: Matthew 27:57-66 – Jesus’ burial and the sealed tomb
Easter Sunday: Matthew 28:1-10 – The resurrection!

I’m looking forward to reading through these verses this Lent with my kids, learning about Jesus’ life, His sacrifice, and the hope we have in His resurrection. I invite you to join me, whether with your family, friends, or your own Bible reading time. Let’s prepare our hearts for—Easter morning!