7-Day Family Bible Reading Plan: Growing Together in Faith
This 7-day family Bible reading plan helps your family grow closer to Jesus and to each other in about 10 to 15 minutes a day. Each day has one Scripture to read together, one question to talk through, and one practical takeaway to do as a family. Pastor Landon Sloan, who leads Calvary Kids at Calvary Church of Naperville, wrote it around one theme: growing together in faith.
These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.
Deuteronomy 6:6 to 7
Spiritual growth doesn't happen only on Sundays. Some of the most meaningful moments of faith happen around the dinner table, before bedtime, or during everyday conversations. This plan is designed to help families grow closer to Jesus and one another through Scripture, meaningful conversations, and practical activities.
How to use this plan
Each day follows Calvary's mission in miniature: helping people become fully devoted followers of Christ who study, do, and teach the Word of God. You study one Scripture together, teach it by talking it through at home, and do one practical takeaway.
- Pick one time each day. Dinner, the drive home, or bedtime all work. The same time each day makes it easier to keep going.
- Read the Scripture together. Read the verse out loud. If your kids can read, let them take a turn.
- Talk about the question. Let everyone answer, parents too.
- Do the takeaway the same day. Each one is small enough to finish before bed.
The 7 days at a glance
| Day | Theme | Read |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | God created you with purpose | Psalm 139:13 to 14 |
| 2 | Putting God first | Matthew 6:33 |
| 3 | Choosing love and kindness | Ephesians 4:32 |
| 4 | Trusting God when life gets difficult | Proverbs 3:5 to 6 |
| 5 | The power of prayer | Philippians 4:6 to 7 |
| 6 | Making a difference together | Matthew 5:14 to 16 |
| 7 | Growing together as a family | Ecclesiastes 4:9 to 12 |
Day 1: God created you with purpose
For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
Psalm 139:13 to 14
Bible truth: Every person is uniquely created by God and has incredible value and purpose.
Talk about it
What is something special God has placed inside each member of our family?
Do it together
Have every family member share one thing they appreciate about someone else in the family.
Day 2: Putting God first
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Matthew 6:33
Bible truth: Following Jesus means making Him the priority in every area of our lives.
Talk about it
What are some things that compete for our attention and time with God?
Do it together
Choose one distraction to set aside today and spend that time together in prayer or worship.
Day 3: Choosing love and kindness
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Ephesians 4:32
Bible truth: Our words and actions should reflect the love, kindness, and forgiveness of Jesus.
Talk about it
How can we show more kindness to each other, especially when we're frustrated?
Do it together
Each family member completes one intentional act of kindness for someone else in the family today.
Day 4: Trusting God when life gets difficult
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:5 to 6
Bible truth: We can trust God's wisdom and guidance even when we don't understand everything happening around us.
Talk about it
Is there something happening in your life right now that makes trusting God difficult?
Do it together
Write down one concern as a family and pray over it together, trusting God with the outcome.
Day 5: The power of prayer
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6 to 7
Bible truth: Prayer helps us grow in our relationship with God and reminds us that we can bring every concern to Him.
Talk about it
Why do you think God wants us to talk with Him about everything?
Do it together
Let each family member share one prayer request. Take turns praying for one another by name.
Day 6: Making a difference together
You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
Matthew 5:14 to 16
Bible truth: God calls our families to reflect His love and make a difference in the world around us.
Talk about it
Who is someone in our neighborhood, school, church, or community who could use encouragement?
Do it together
Choose one way your family can bless someone outside your home today. It could be writing an encouraging note, helping a neighbor, or serving someone in need.
Day 7: Growing together as a family
Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
Ecclesiastes 4:9 to 12
Bible truth: God designed families to love, encourage, support, and strengthen one another. Every family member plays an important role in building a home centered on Jesus.
Talk about it
What's one thing we love about our family, and what's one way we can grow closer to God and each other?
Do it together
Have each family member share one thing they're thankful for about your family. Then choose one activity or tradition you can do together each week to strengthen your relationships.
The family challenge
A strong family isn't a perfect family. It's a family that chooses to love, forgive, encourage, and grow together with Jesus at the center.
Key terms
- A family Bible reading plan is a short daily guide that gives the whole family the same Scripture to read and talk about together.
- A practical takeaway is one small action that puts the day's Bible truth into practice the same day.
- A family conversation question is an open question everyone answers, parents included, so the verse turns into real talk at home.
If your family is walking through something heavier right now, Pastor Landon also wrote guides for parenting a child through anxiety and parenting a child through depression. For more on building faith at home, read Raising Godly Sons and Raising Godly Daughters.
Common questions
How long does each day of the plan take?
About 10 to 15 minutes. Each day you read one Scripture together, talk through one family question, and do one practical takeaway. Most families fit it into dinner, the drive home, or bedtime.
What ages is this family Bible reading plan for?
It is written for the whole family. Younger children can listen to the verse and answer the question in a sentence. Older kids can read the Scripture out loud and lead a day's conversation.
What if we miss a day?
Pick up where you left off. The plan works best as a habit, not a test, and each day stands on its own.
What should our family do after the seven days?
Day 7 asks your family to choose one activity or tradition to do together each week. Keep that tradition going, start the plan again, and keep reading Scripture together at home.
Grow together at Calvary
Calvary Kids meets Sundays at 9 and 11 a.m. for children six weeks old through 5th grade, with worship, Bible lessons, and small groups built for their age. See what Calvary Kids looks like or plan your visit.
