A 30-Day Reading Plan for the Gospel of Mark

This plan covers all sixteen chapters of Mark in thirty days. It includes rereading and catch-up days, rather than assuming you can read every day without interruption. Use any complete copy of Mark; our printed English WEB New Testaments contain the whole Gospel.

Days 1–10: establish the setting

1. Day 1: Mark 1.
2. Day 2: Mark 2.
3. Day 3: Mark 3.
4. Day 4: Revisit chapters 1–3. List the people who respond to Jesus.
5. Day 5: Mark 4.
6. Day 6: Mark 5.
7. Day 7: Catch up or reread a difficult paragraph.
8. Day 8: Mark 6.
9. Day 9: Mark 7.
10. Day 10: Review chapters 4–7. Write down a question that remains open.

Days 11–20: follow the journey

11. Day 11: Mark 8.
12. Day 12: Mark 9.
13. Day 13: Reread chapters 8–9. Notice what the disciples understand and misunderstand.
14. Day 14: Catch up.
15. Day 15: Mark 10.
16. Day 16: Mark 11.
17. Day 17: Review chapters 10–11. Follow the changes of location.
18. Day 18: Mark 12.
19. Day 19: Mark 13.
20. Day 20: Reread a section of chapters 12–13 with the surrounding paragraphs.

Days 21–30: finish and return

21. Day 21: Catch up.
22. Day 22: Mark 14.
23. Day 23: Reread chapter 14. Trace the sequence of events.
24. Day 24: Mark 15.
25. Day 25: Mark 16. Read any textual notes included in your edition.
26. Day 26: Review chapters 14–16 together.
27. Day 27: Return to one question from the first ten days.
28. Day 28: Catch up or reread a chapter.
29. Day 29: Summarize the Gospel in your own words, checking the text.
30. Day 30: Choose a passage to discuss and decide what to read next.

Keep notes small

For each new chapter, record one event, one repeated word or idea, and one question. You do not need an explanation for every detail before continuing. On review days, check whether later chapters changed your first impression.

This is a suggested pace, not a test. If a chapter needs two sessions, extend the plan. Completing a calendar is less useful than paying attention to the book you are reading.