Read a Chapter a Day: 2026
Galatians, Ephesians, 1 & 2 Thessalonians, 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon
September 8-October 19, 2026
Since 2024, we have been inviting people to join us in reading a chapter of scripture every day for a season. This year, we are continuing with the previous readings that ended in 2 Corinthians and moving through the New Testament to read more of the apostle Paul's letters. We will start in Galatians and read through Philemon. There are forty-two chapters, so our Read a Chapter a Day journey will take forty-two days, six weeks. The reading plan is designed for everyone—both new and mature believers—who wants to engage with scripture daily. A weekly Bible study component offers deeper reflection and group discussions. Read more below about the initiative and sign up to be added to our email list to receive the reading plan, small-group discussion questions, and a guide for reading scripture as a daily practice.
Why Read a Chapter a Day?
Cultivating a daily habit of reading scripture invites us deeper into relationship with God, or as John Wesley, the founder of Methodism called it, it is a “means of grace.” Specifically, reading regularly:
- Shapes our imagination with the stories of humanity, faithfulness, and God’s redemptive plan for the world through Jesus.
- Connects us to people of the past and to Christians around the world for whom Scripture is our common Story.
- Provides a practice in which we can cultivate awareness of the Holy Spirit’s continuing voice in the lives of the reader/hearer.
- Inspires, instructs, shapes, and challenges individuals and communities who engage it to grow up into maturing as a follower of Jesus.
- And more! The Holy Spirit grows us in new ways as we read the bible. Read this article to learn about the formative work of reading the Bible by Ashlee Alley Crawford.
How Do We Read Scripture?
While there is no one right way to read scripture, this initiative will introduce several practices of engaging scripture that will involve your heart, mind, and even body with your daily reading. At times, reading scripture seems to be an intellectual endeavor. Learning to love God with our minds is a good thing (Matthew 22:37 and Luke 10:27). And there are other ways to “read” scripture to cultivate new ways of encountering God’s Word. In the Read a Chapter a Day initiative, we are sharing “5 Suggestions for Surveying Scripture” as an invitation to experiment with different approaches to engage the sacred text and connect with God.
- Simmer—Create a quiet place internally, to “simmer” in awareness of the Holy Spirit. Join in a common prayer listed in the weekly email or pray any prayer of centering, opening your heart and mind to reading God’s Word.
- Speak—Before people had personal bibles, Scripture was shared aloud, either through oral tradition or in gathered worship. It is a privilege and a joy to have personal access to scripture, and consider engaging a different part of your brain by reading it aloud or listening to it from a Bible app.
- Study—Slow down and make observations about what you see in the text. Note any themes, recurrences, or surprising turns and what you may already know about this author, this book of the bible, or even the context from the previous chapter. Ask questions that arise from what you see in the scripture or what you know from your experience. Get curious about the text, especially as it relates to your own life.
- Scribe—Write a word, phrase, or verse that has been a focus of your study today. Consider “doodling” it as a way of meditating on the text or write out the passage to reflect more deeply on the actual words of the text.
- Savor—After you’ve read the passage, take a moment to reflect over all your pondering. What might God be saying to you for the day/week/season ahead? Write a word or phrase that you want to "savor," continue to process or enjoy. It could be a challenge, a call to action, an encouragement, or something you want to study more. Savor your time of reading scripture by acknowledging the Spirit’s invitations to you.
Whether reading scripture is a new practice for you or a treasured one, we encourage you to explore new insights and encounters with God through this approach. Begin with the first and last S (Simmer and Seal) and try the other three (Speak, Study, Scribe) throughout the six-week initiative.
Going Deeper
As you join us for Read a Chapter a Day from September 8-October 19, 2026, consider the following:
- Invite a friend, family member, or small group from your church or community to join you in the daily practice.
- Meet with a small group of others who are reading to share insights, reflections, or questions. Use our Small Group Guide which will be available in August 2026.
- Join two pastors who are leading a weekly Zoom meeting on Sunday evenings from 7-8 p.m. CDT for encouragement, reflection, and study.
- Read about how to approach the bible as a Wesleyan (meaning, from the tradition of John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist Movement) here.
- Register below to receive weekly emails and join our Facebook group where you can engage.
Are you open to reading a chapter a day in a new way this fall?
Questions?
Reach out to Ashlee Alley Crawford, Director of Adult Discipleship, [email protected] or Bethany Barnett, Read a Chapter a Day Project Manager, [email protected].
This content was originally published by Discipleship Ministries; republished with permission by ResourceUMC on August 13, 2026. To learn more about Discipleship Ministries visit Discipleship Ministries | ResourceUMC.