2022 – 2023 Reading Plan

Below you will find our reading plan for October, 2022 through September, 2023.  The Gospel readings follow a four year cycle with one of the four Gospels completed each year.  Although we did not originally plan to follow an annual cycle, we chose to do so and tie our reading to the millennia old practice (including in nearly all Jewish synagogues to this day) of reading through the Torah (the first five books of the Hebrew Bible sometimes referred to as the Pentateuch or, as would appear to have been Jesus’ custom, the Law), each year (although many synagogues utilize the common alternative of a three-year reading cycle). This was almost certainly the practice of first century Judeans, although the actual selections and timing of the reading may have varied.

In addition to the Gospel and Torah readings, we have chosen to include select readings from the other books of the Hebrew Bible that correspond to the Torah readings – something known as the Haphtorah.  The Haphtorah selections come from the Neviʾim (the Prophets), and Ketuvim (the Writings).  Interestingly, New Testament readers will note that Jesus refers to the Law and the Prophets, but not the Writings.  Although the Writings would have been known to First Century Jews and Jesus, they had not been cannonized at that time.

Lastly, to round out our reading plan, you will find selections from the New Testament books other than the Gospels.  These readings are on a four year cycle.

There is no magic formula to reading Scripture, of course, but we believe that being diligent readers of the Text will be beneficial and encouraging. Further, by following the general pattern of today’s Jewish people, and following a common pattern ourselves, we might also find ourselves to be more in step and in tune with those who would have been pursuing God in Jesus’ time and the time of the early Church. We invite you to follow along with us!

Church MKE 2022 – 2023 Reading Plan