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7-Day Plan · Step 1 of the Pathway

Knowing Jesus

Before anything else, meet the Person. Seven passages of Scripture that answer who Jesus Christ is, why He came, what He accomplished at the cross, and what He asks of those who hear Him.

Grow in the Word. Walk in the Commission.

7 daysKJV ScriptureRead · Understand · Apply · Pray

How to use this plan

Each day follows the same seven steps. Read the passage first and let Scripture speak before the commentary does. All quoted Scripture on this page is the King James Version; everything outside the quotation boxes is explanation written to help you understand and apply the passage.

  1. Read — the passage itself, in full.
  2. Understand — what it means in context.
  3. Key Truth — the central point in one sentence.
  4. Reflect — an honest question to sit with.
  5. Apply — one concrete action.
  6. Pray — bring the day to God.
  7. Next Step — what carries into tomorrow.

Day 1

Who Is Jesus?

Read

John 1:1–18 (King James Version)

1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

2The same was in the beginning with God.

3All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

4In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

5And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

6There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.

7The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.

8He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.

9That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.

10He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.

11He came unto his own, and his own received him not.

12But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

13Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

14And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

15John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me.

16And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.

17For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

18No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.

Understand

John does not begin his Gospel at Bethlehem. He begins before creation: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” All things were made by Him, and in Him was life, and that life was the light of men. John the Baptist is introduced carefully — he came to bear witness of the Light, but “he was not that Light.” Then comes the sentence the whole passage moves toward: “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us.” The chapter closes by saying no man has seen God at any time, but the only begotten Son “hath declared him.” John’s answer to “Who is Jesus?” is that He is the eternal Word, God Himself, who took on flesh so that God could be made known.

Key Truth

Jesus Christ is the eternal Word of God who became flesh to make God known.

Reflect

  • Who did you understand Jesus to be before today? What in this passage confirms that, and what challenges it?
  • Who have you understood Jesus to be?
  • How does John 1 challenge or deepen that understanding?

Apply

Read verse 14 again slowly. Write down, in your own words, what it means that the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us.

Pray

“Father, help me understand who Jesus truly is. As I read Your Word, give me wisdom and help me see Christ clearly. Teach me truth and give me a heart willing to respond to what You show me. Amen.”

Next Step

You have read who He is. Tomorrow’s passage answers why He came.

Day 2

Why Did Jesus Come?

Read

Luke 19:1–10 (King James Version)

1And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho.

2And, behold, there was a man named Zacchæus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich.

3And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature.

4And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way.

5And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchæus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house.

6And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully.

7And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner.

8And Zacchæus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.

9And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham.

10For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

Understand

Zacchaeus was a chief among the publicans and rich — a tax collector working for Rome, and despised for it. Luke says he sought to see Jesus but could not for the crowd, “because he was little of stature,” so he climbed a sycomore tree. Jesus stopped beneath it, called him by name, and said, “To day I must abide at thy house.” The crowd murmured that Jesus had gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner. Zacchaeus stood and gave half his goods to the poor and promised fourfold restitution to anyone he had wronged. Jesus said salvation had come to that house, and then stated His own purpose plainly: “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” Notice the order — Jesus sought Zacchaeus first, and Zacchaeus changed after.

Key Truth

Jesus came to seek and to save that which was lost.

Reflect

  • Zacchaeus was the last man in that crowd anyone expected Jesus to call. Do you assume you are too far outside for Christ to call you by name?
  • What does Jesus’ treatment of Zacchaeus teach you about His mission?
  • Why do you think Scripture describes people as lost?

Apply

Write out verse 10 and keep it where you will see it today. Ask yourself honestly which word applies to you: seeking, saving, or lost.

Pray

“Jesus, thank You for coming to seek and save the lost. Help me understand why I need You and what it means to be saved. Give me humility as I continue reading Your Word. Amen.”

Next Step

Jesus came to save the lost. Tomorrow’s passage explains what we are lost from, and why.

Day 3

Our Problem: Sin

Read

Romans 3:9–26 (King James Version)

9What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin;

10As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:

11There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.

12They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

13Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips:

14Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness:

15Their feet are swift to shed blood:

16Destruction and misery are in their ways:

17And the way of peace have they not known:

18There is no fear of God before their eyes.

19Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.

20Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

21But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;

22Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:

23For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

24Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

25Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;

26To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.

Understand

Paul has been building a case, and here he closes it: Jews and Gentiles alike “are all under sin.” He stacks quotation upon quotation from the Old Testament — “There is none righteous, no, not one” — until every mouth is stopped and all the world stands guilty before God. The law does not rescue anyone from this, because “by the law is the knowledge of sin”; it shows the disease, it does not cure it. Then verse 21 turns the passage: “But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested.” It comes by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe, for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God, “being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” The passage is unsparing about sin and equally clear that God Himself provided the remedy.

Key Truth

All have sinned and come short of the glory of God, and God justifies freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.

Reflect

  • Paul says the whole world stands guilty before God. Setting aside comparison with other people, does that verdict include you?
  • What does this passage say about humanity?
  • Why can’t comparing yourself with other people solve the problem of sin?

Apply

Read verses 23 and 24 together as one sentence, because Paul wrote them as one. Write down what each half says — the honest diagnosis, and the free gift.

Pray

“God, I recognize that I have sinned and fallen short of Your glory. I cannot make myself righteous before You. Help me understand Your grace and the salvation You have provided through Jesus Christ. Amen.”

Next Step

You have seen the problem and heard that redemption is in Christ. Tomorrow shows how He accomplished it.

Day 4

Jesus Took the Place of Sinners

Read

2 Corinthians 5:14–21 (King James Version)

14For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:

15And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.

16Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.

17Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

18And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;

19To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

20Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.

21For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

Understand

Paul explains what the death of Christ accomplished. Christ “died for all,” so that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for Him who died and rose again. Anyone in Christ is a new creature; old things pass away. All of this is “of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ” — the initiative is God’s, not ours. God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself, “not imputing their trespasses unto them.” The passage ends with the exchange at the heart of the gospel: “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” Christ, who had no sin of His own, stood in the place of sinners so that sinners could be counted righteous in Him.

Key Truth

Christ, who knew no sin, was made sin for us, that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.

Reflect

  • Verse 21 describes an exchange you could never make for yourself. What would it mean to stop trying to earn what Christ has already given?
  • Why is Jesus’ sinlessness important?
  • What does being reconciled to God mean?
  • What does this passage say about trying to earn righteousness yourself?

Apply

Write verse 21 out by hand. Underline what Christ received and what the believer receives, and notice that both halves are God’s doing.

Pray

“Father, thank You for sending Your Son. Thank You that Jesus knew no sin yet gave Himself for sinners. Help me stop trusting myself and understand what it means for my hope to be completely in Christ. Amen.”

Next Step

Tomorrow you will read the gospel stated in its shortest form, as the apostles preached it.

Day 5

The Gospel

Read

1 Corinthians 15:1–8 (King James Version)

1Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;

2By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.

3For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;

4And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

5And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve:

6After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.

7After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles.

8And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.

Understand

Paul reminds the Corinthians of the gospel he preached, which they received and in which they stand, “by which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you.” He says he delivered first of all that which he also received — this is not his invention, it was handed to him. The content is short and factual: Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; He was buried; He rose again the third day according to the scriptures; and He was seen. Paul then lists witnesses — Cephas, the twelve, above five hundred brethren at once, most of whom were still alive, James, all the apostles, and last of all Paul himself. The gospel is news about things that happened, attested by people who were there, not a philosophy or a moral system.

Key Truth

The gospel is that Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again the third day, according to the scriptures.

Reflect

  • If someone asked you tonight what the gospel is, could you answer with what Paul lists here — the death, the burial, the resurrection?
  • According to this passage, why did Christ die?
  • Why is the resurrection essential to the gospel?

Apply

Say the gospel out loud in four short sentences using verses 3 and 4. Keep it to what the text actually says.

Pray

“Jesus, thank You for giving Yourself for sinners. Thank You that death did not defeat You and that You rose again. Help me understand the gospel more deeply and place my confidence in what You have accomplished. Amen.”

Next Step

Tomorrow Jesus states how a person is to respond to this news.

Day 6

Repent and Believe

Read

Mark 1:14–20 (King James Version)

14Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,

15And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.

16Now as he walked by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.

17And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men.

18And straightway they forsook their nets, and followed him.

19And when he had gone a little further thence, he saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the ship mending their nets.

20And straightway he called them: and they left their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired servants, and went after him.

Understand

Mark summarises the whole of Jesus’ preaching in a single sentence: “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.” To repent is to turn — a change of mind that changes direction. To believe the gospel is to trust that what God has said about His Son is true. Mark then places the calling of Simon, Andrew, James, and John immediately after those words. They left nets, a ship, and a father, and followed Him. Mark sets the summons and the calling side by side because in his Gospel they belong together: the call to repent and believe is the call to follow the One who is speaking.

Key Truth

Jesus calls people to repent and believe the gospel.

Reflect

  • Repentance means turning. Is there anything you already know God has spoken to you about that you have not been willing to turn from?
  • What are you trusting in for your standing before God?
  • What would it mean for you to trust Jesus Christ rather than yourself?

Apply

If you have never turned to Christ, you may speak to God plainly today — admit your sin, and put your trust in Jesus Christ and what He accomplished. No particular wording saves anyone; Christ saves. If you already trust Him, name one thing to turn from and turn from it.

Pray

“God, I cannot save myself. Thank You for the grace You offer through Jesus Christ. Help me turn from sin and trust Christ rather than myself. Teach me what it means to follow Him faithfully. Amen.”

Next Step

Tomorrow’s passage joins the question of who Jesus is to the decision to follow Him.

Day 7

Follow Jesus

Read

Luke 9:18–26 (King James Version)

18And it came to pass, as he was alone praying, his disciples were with him: and he asked them, saying, Whom say the people that I am?

19They answering said, John the Baptist; but some say, Elias; and others say, that one of the old prophets is risen again.

20He said unto them, But whom say ye that I am? Peter answering said, The Christ of God.

21And he straitly charged them, and commanded them to tell no man that thing;

22Saying, The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be slain, and be raised the third day.

23And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.

24For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.

25For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?

26For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father’s, and of the holy angels.

Understand

Jesus asks His disciples who the crowds say He is, and then asks the question that matters: “But whom say ye that I am?” Peter answers, “The Christ of God.” Immediately Jesus tells them that the Son of man must suffer many things, be rejected of the elders and chief priests and scribes, be slain, and be raised the third day. Only then does He say what following Him involves: “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.” Whoever will save his life shall lose it, and whoever loses his life for Christ’s sake shall save it. Luke joins confession and discipleship deliberately — knowing who Jesus is leads to a decision about following Him.

Key Truth

Confessing who Jesus is leads to following Him.

Reflect

  • Jesus asked, “But whom say ye that I am?” After seven days in these passages, how do you answer Him?
  • What have you learned about Jesus during these seven days?
  • What has God shown you about yourself?
  • What would following Christ require you to change?
  • What questions do you still have?

Apply

Make this plan the beginning of your Bible reading. Choose a regular time to read Scripture, begin the Gospel of John, pray as you read, connect with a faithful local church, ask questions, continue learning, and obey what Christ teaches you.

Pray

“Jesus, thank You for showing me through Your Word who You are and what You have done. Help me follow You faithfully. Give me a hunger for Scripture, teach me to pray, help me obey Your Word, and connect me with believers who will encourage me to grow. As I learn to follow You, prepare me to help others follow You too. Amen.”

Next Step

This plan introduced the Person. The next plan, Following Jesus, walks through the first steps of the new life He gives.

The Pathway

Grow in the Word. Walk in the Commission.

Where this leads

You have read who Jesus Christ is, why He came, what He accomplished, and what He asks. If you have trusted Him, the next plan walks through the first steps of that new life. If you are still weighing it, keep reading — the passages themselves are the best place to keep looking.