Free Reading Plans and Devotionals related to Luke 1:5

John the Baptist prepared the way for Jesus's life and ministry. This 5-day series traces John's testimony through readings from the Gospels. Just as John was sent to prepare the way for Jesus and point people to him, we have the privilege of also pointing others to Christ. As you prepare for Christmas, these devotionals will help you see how you can be a vessel of God’s love.

The holidays bring excitement and busyness, sweet moments and chaos, blessing and frustration. In the hustle, bustle, merry, and bright, we’re looking expectantly for perfect presents and serene gatherings. The reality often falls short of our expectations. And that’s why celebrating Advent is an important rhythm for our calendars. As you eagerly anticipate Christmas day, cling to the hope found only in Jesus Christ.

Christians are different. They can’t help it. When you’re in Christ and filled with the Spirit, it changes you. This leads to weird ideas and alternate beliefs about reality. This series of 5-day plans uses classic Christian Creeds as a vehicle to explain the Christian worldview compared to the world’s, and help us see reality through Jesus’s eyes

This five-day plan explores various angelic encounters that announced the arrival of the Messiah. We’ll consider Zechariah's doubt, Mary's humility, Joseph's obedience, and the shepherds' exuberance. Angels should not be worshiped, but they model true worship when they sing, “Glory to God in the highest!” This Christmas, marvel with the angels at the Savior born in the city of David who is Christ the Lord.

We often pack our suitcases for travel during the holiday season. While it’s one thing to carry a few bags on a trip, it’s quite another to carry baggage through life. Our baggage becomes a burden that weighs us down and exhausts us. In this Plan, I will share how you can let go of your baggage and find freedom this Christmas.

He lived in the wild, wore weird clothes, had an appetite for bugs, and an aptitude for berating people. But, despite John the Baptist’s eccentric appearance and lifestyle, Jesus claimed “there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist” (Matt. 11:11). Who was John the Baptist? What made him so great? Perhaps, most importantly, what can we learn from him about true greatness in God’s kingdom?

We’ve all been there, done that. We’ve all waited in long lines heading nowhere fast. Waited for an event, promise, or person to come into view that we had been tarrying for. However, what if Jesus considers our meantime an opportunity for the Holy Spirit’s presence, power, and joy to be realized in our lives? He does. Let’s be encouraged from His Word, then hurry up and wait!

Ron Dicianni is one of today’s most renowned American Artists. His work has been featured in the Smithsonian and he’s painted the President of the United States. He is currently working on A Painted Visual Bible for Families. Join Ron and his friends in this walk through some pivotal stories for Advent and as he shows us that sometimes we need to "See" the story to truly experience its depth and beauty.

This reading plan features 7 profiles of biblical leaders from the 3rd Edition of the Maxwell Leadership Bible (NIV). Dr. John C. Maxwell uses his decades of leadership study to shed light on key leadership lessons from the lives of Moses, Joshua, Deborah, Abigail, Elisha, Mary, and Jesus.

Jesus’ stories help us grow in every area of our life - how to forgive, to strengthen your prayer life, to handle money wisely, to set priorities, to cope with evil, and more. Join Tom Hughes, lead pastor of Christian Assembly Church in Los Angeles and author of Down to Earth, on this 7-day journey, and watch your life change as you grow through the stories Jesus is still telling.