Year in the Bible
Our Year in the Bible readings begin tomorrow! While our reading plan follows a Monday–Friday schedule, you can expect to receive a daily email throughout the journey. Each Sunday, instead of a daily reading, you’ll receive resources, reflection questions, and opportunities to engage more deeply with the week’s readings—helping you grow in understanding, learning, and faith as we journey through Scripture together.
Week One: Good
Welcome to Week One of our Year in the Bible journey!
This week, we begin with Genesis and the Gospel of Mark. In Genesis, God has a Word for creation: good. This word is given to human beings, too. Yet in the fall, we see how easily we get mixed up about this word. We forget that we are good.
As we read a parable like the one in Mark, we may wonder about who we are and which category we might fall into. In our wondering, we find assurance in God's Word, revealed in the waters of baptism: You are good.
This Week's Readings: Genesis 1–15; Mark 1–5; Psalms 1, 107, 148
A Few Things to Notice
Genesis means “origin” or “beginning.” The first chapters introduce us to creation and to God's relationship with humanity. As you continue reading, you'll encounter many of the Bible's greatest stories: Adam and Eve, Cain and Abel, the Tower of Babel, Noah, Abraham and Sarah, Jacob and Esau, Joseph and his brothers.
Listen for themes of blessing and promise, human deception and struggle, chosenness, and the steadfast work of God.
Mark, meanwhile, moves quickly through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. The word “immediately” appears often, giving the Gospel a sense of urgency. Pay attention to how Mark reveals Jesus' identity, particularly through his suffering.
Read, Reflect, and Discuss
This week's discussion centers on Genesis 1:26–31 and Mark 4:1–20.
As you reflect on these passages, consider:
- What are some of your initial reactions to these readings?
- What did you read this week that surprised you, challenged you, bothered you, or sounded like good news?
- What connections do you see between these two passages?
- Genesis tells us that God creates through Word. God speaks, and it is. What happens throughout Scripture when God speaks?
- God calls humanity “good” and even “very good.” How do you know if you and/or your life is good? What makes it difficult to see yourself that way?
- Genesis 3 and Mark 4 both invite us to wonder about who we are. Are we actually good? What kind of soil are we? How can we know?
- In baptism, we hear God's declaration that we belong to God. We are God's children. How does it challenge or free you to rely on God's promise rather than your own decisions, actions, or accomplishments?
- What else stood out to you in these readings?
Going Further
Consider exploring the following resources:
The Bible Project. https://bibleproject.com/
Bible Project: Genesis 1-11 Bible Project: Creation Bible Project: Mark
Luther House of Study: The Bible: What to Look For
Luther Seminary: Enter the Bible
As you continue through the week, remember:
You are God's. You are good.
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