The Before There were Kings reading plan is written for anyone who looks at the Old Testament and New Testament and feels like they see two different Gods. Throughout this reading plan you will ask yourself “Where is God’s grace, mercy, and love?”. By the end you should have a clearer picture of God’s character, and be able to see that God has always been the same now, in the past, and forevermore.

This reading plan covers Genesis - Judges in six months. Before There were Kings focuses on the story of God and His people. It skips over all the lists, detailed laws, and repetitive sections. These parts are still good, and worth reading, but we don’t want to get hung up on the sections that might distract you from the overall story.

Reading Plan Length: 6 Months

Before You Start Your Old Testament Reading Plan

Pray over your reading plan before you start. I find it helpful to write prayers like this down. If you journal, write it in your journal. Sometimes I write out the prayer, fold it up, and tape it inside of my planner or journal. Use the prayer below as a starting place to talk to God about the time you want to spend with Him.

Prayer

Dear God,
I want to know you better. I struggle to understand the way that you move in the Old Testament. Please bring clarity to my reading as I work through this reading plan. Bring to my attention Your grace, mercy, and love. Let my reading and time spent bring me closer to You.
Amen

Tips for Success

Track Your Progress
Use the downloadable progress tracker at the top of this page. Or, keep it simple and write out check boxes on a notepad or sticky note and put it some place you will see it daily.
Write It Down
If you use a paper planner, I suggest putting the verse reference in your planner. You can also use this as a way of tracking your progress by checking it off. You can also set it as a task or event in your digital calendar, with the verse for that day.
Make a Plan
Think about your day and routines. What would be the best time for you to do your quiet time during this reading plan? Recognizing times that would be good to read your verse for the day in advance will help you stay on track. I recommend choosing something earlier in the day, so you can reflect on the verse through out your day.
Set an Alarm
If you plan on doing your reading at a specific time, set an alarm/reminder on your phone or computer
Location Isn’t Important
I love the idea of doing a long, reflective early morning quiet time while the sun rises and I sit in a rocking chair taking in nature. This idea, while beautiful, is not realistic on a day to day basis for me. Doing any quiet time is better than doing no quiet time. Doing quiet time in a house that is loud, is better than doing no quiet time. Don’t be afraid to sneak it in while you are waiting in your car, when the oven is heating up, or right before you go to bed. Letting go of a specific idea of what quiet time should look like is part of how you make it a routine and not just a dream.

Before There were Kings Bible Reading Plan

Since this is a long reading plan, only 6 weeks have been included here. Download the full plan here, or at the top of the page.

Week One

DAY 1 - Genesis 1-2
DAY 2 - Genesis 3
DAY 3 - Genesis 4

Week Two

DAY 1 - Genesis 5-6
DAY 2 - Genesis 7
DAY 3 - Genesis 8

Week Three

DAY 1 - Genesis 9-10
DAY 2 - Genesis 11-12
DAY 3 - Genesis 13

Week Four

DAY 1 - Genesis 15-16
DAY 2 - Genesis 17-18
DAY 3 - Genesis 19

Week Five

DAY 1 - Genesis 20-21
DAY 2 - Genesis 22-23
DAY 3 - Genesis 24

Week Six

DAY 1 - Genesis 25-26
DAY 2 - Genesis 27
DAY 3 - Genesis 28-29

What to Read Next

Congratulations on completing the Faithful Leadership Reading Plan! Look back over your reading, and identify the one that stood out to you the most. Work on committing that verse to memory.

If you are looking for another reading plan, there are more linked below.