7-day plan: The Kingdom of God
God's rule: promised, present in Jesus, and still awaited
One passage a day, with a question to think it over. Your progress stays on this device, no account needed.
Day 1 · The King God promised
God installs his king on Zion and calls him his son
“But I have installed my king on Zion, my holy mountain.” I will recount the statute: YHWH said to me, “You are my son; today I have begotten you. Ask of me, and I will give nations as your inheritance, and as your possession the ends of the earth. You will break them with a rod of iron; like a vessel of a potter you will dash them to pieces.”
Psalms 2:6–9 · Read the whole chapterTo think about
What does this passage say about what God is like?
Day 2 · The kingdom has come near
John the Immerser calls people to change their minds because the kingdom is near
In those days John the Immerser appears, proclaiming in the wilderness of Judea and saying, “Change your minds, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”
Matthew 3:1–2 · Read the whole chapterTo think about
Jesus came to John to be immersed, even though John tried to prevent him (vv. 13–15). What does this teach you about humility in approaching others?
Day 3 · What the kingdom is like: the parables
The sower sows, and the seed bears fruit according to the soil where it falls
And he told them many things in parables, saying, “Look, the sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and ate them up. Other seeds fell on the rocky ground, where they did not have much soil; and at once they sprang up, because they did not have depth of soil. But when the sun rose, they were scorched, and because they did not have root, they withered. Other seeds fell among the thorns, and the thorns came up and choked them. And other seeds fell on the good soil and were producing fruit, some a hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold. The one who has ears, let him hear.”
Matthew 13:3–9 · Read the whole chapterTo think about
In the sower's parable, worry can choke the word (v. 22). What chokes it most in your day?
Day 4 · Who enters
The poor in spirit are the first Jesus calls blessed
“Happy are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 5:3 · Read the whole chapterTo think about
Jesus says, “Love your enemies” (v. 44). What small gesture could you offer today to someone you find hard to like?
Day 5 · Your kingdom come
In the Lord's Prayer, Jesus teaches us to ask that the kingdom come and God's will be done
So you pray like this: ‘Our Father in heaven, may your name be sanctified; may your kingdom come; may your will be done, as in heaven, so also on earth.
Matthew 6:9–10 · Read the whole chapterTo think about
Jesus says not to worry about tomorrow (v. 34). What worry could you hand to the Father today?
Day 6 · The King God promised
A psalm asks for a king who will do justice for the poor and bring peace
Of Solomon. Elohim, your judgments give to the king, and your righteousness to the son of the king. May he judge your people with righteousness, and your afflicted with justice. May the mountains bring peace to the people, and the hills, in righteousness. May he judge the afflicted of the people, save the sons of the needy, and crush the oppressor. They will fear you as long as there is sun, and before the moon, generation after generation. May he come down like rain on the mown field, like downpours that water the earth. May the righteous flourish in his days, and abundance of peace until there is no moon. And may he rule from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth.
Psalms 72:1–8 · Read the whole chapterTo think about
What would you like to say to God after reading it?
Day 7 · The kingdom has come near
Jesus begins in Galilee: the time is fulfilled and the kingdom of God has come near
Now after John was handed over, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; change your minds and believe in the good news.”
Mark 1:14–15 · Read the whole chapterTo think about
Jesus rose early to pray alone (v. 35). What quiet moment can you set aside in your day?