Rooted Identity: A New Testament Deep Reading Plan
Theme: A 6-month New Testament journey that grounds believers in their identity in Christ. Each week includes a theme, focus, supplemental cross-references, and a practice step. Cadence: 5 days/week, ~2 chapters/day.
Week 1 – Rooted in Christ
Primary Reading: Colossians 1–2
Focus: Discover the supremacy of Christ and the foundation of our identity in Him.
Supplemental Cross-References:
Jeremiah 17:7–8
John 15:1–5
Practice:
Write down three truths about your identity in Christ from Colossians 1–2. Declare them daily.
Week 2 – Living Worthy of the Lord
Primary Reading: Colossians 3–4
Focus: Learn what it means to put off the old self and put on the new in Christ.
Supplemental Cross-References:
Romans 6:1–14
Ephesians 4:20–24
Practice:
Choose one ‘old self’ habit to surrender this week, and one ‘new self’ action to practice.
Week 3 – Faith Expressed Through Love
Primary Reading: Galatians 1–3
Focus: We are justified by faith and freed from works of the law.
Supplemental Cross-References:
Genesis 15:6
Romans 3:21–26
Practice:
Thank God daily that your salvation is by faith alone, not performance.
Week 4 – Walking in the Spirit
Primary Reading: Galatians 4–6
Focus: The Spirit leads us to freedom, producing fruit in our lives.
Supplemental Cross-References:
Romans 8:1–11
John 16:13
Practice:
Identify one area where you’ve been walking in the flesh. Replace it with a fruit of the Spirit.
Week 5 – Seated with Christ
Primary Reading: Ephesians 1–3
Focus: Explore our identity as chosen, adopted, and seated with Christ in heavenly places.
Supplemental Cross-References:
2 Corinthians 5:17
Romans 8:14–17
Practice:
Pray Ephesians 1:17–19 each day for spiritual wisdom and revelation.
Week 6 – Walking in Unity and Love
Primary Reading: Ephesians 4–6
Focus: Live out your identity by walking in love, unity, and spiritual strength.
Supplemental Cross-References:
Colossians 3:12–17
1 John 4:7–12
Practice:
Pray on the armor of God daily this week (Ephesians 6:10–18).
Week 7 – Justified by Faith
Primary Reading: Romans 1–4
Focus: We are justified by faith, not works of the law.
Supplemental Cross-References:
Habakkuk 2:4
Galatians 2:16
Practice:
Write a personal declaration of faith using Romans 3:23–24.
Week 8 – Life in Christ
Primary Reading: Romans 5–8
Focus: Through Christ we are set free from sin and alive in the Spirit.
Supplemental Cross-References:
John 8:36
2 Corinthians 3:17
Practice:
Memorize Romans 8:1 and declare it each morning this week.
Week 9 – Living Sacrifice
Primary Reading: Romans 9–12
Focus: God calls us to be transformed by renewing our minds and presenting our bodies as living sacrifices.
Supplemental Cross-References:
Micah 6:8
Philippians 2:12–13
Practice:
Offer one area of your life to God as a ‘living sacrifice’ this week.
Week 10 – Overcoming in Love
Primary Reading: Romans 13–16
Focus: Love is the fulfillment of the law; in Christ we are more than conquerors.
Supplemental Cross-References:
Matthew 22:37–40
1 John 5:4–5
Practice:
Write and pray Romans 13:14 daily (‘clothe yourselves with Christ’).
Week 11 – God’s Wisdom vs. Worldly Wisdom
Primary Reading: 1 Corinthians 1–4
Focus: The message of the cross is the power of God, not human wisdom.
Supplemental Cross-References:
Isaiah 55:8–9
James 3:13–18
Practice:
Ask the Spirit to reveal areas where you rely on human wisdom over God’s Word.
Week 12 – Living as the Temple of God
Primary Reading: 1 Corinthians 5–8
Focus: Our bodies are temples of the Spirit, set apart for God’s glory.
Supplemental Cross-References:
2 Corinthians 6:16–18
Romans 12:1–2
Practice:
Commit your body to God in prayer as His dwelling place.
Week 13 – Love Builds Up
Primary Reading: 1 Corinthians 9–13
Focus: The greatest gift is love; without it, all else fails.
Supplemental Cross-References:
John 13:34–35
Colossians 3:14
Practice:
Practice one intentional act of love for someone daily.
Week 14 – Victory over Death
Primary Reading: 1 Corinthians 14–16
Focus: Christ’s resurrection guarantees our victory and hope.
Supplemental Cross-References:
John 11:25–26
Philippians 3:20–21
Practice:
Spend time journaling gratitude for eternal life in Christ.
Week 15 – Ministry of Reconciliation
Primary Reading: 2 Corinthians 1–5
Focus: We are new creations entrusted with the message of reconciliation.
Supplemental Cross-References:
Isaiah 43:18–19
Ephesians 2:13–18
Practice:
Share with someone this week how God reconciled you to Himself.
Week 16 – Power in Weakness
Primary Reading: 2 Corinthians 6–13
Focus: God’s grace is sufficient; His power is made perfect in weakness.
Supplemental Cross-References:
Judges 7:1–8
Philippians 4:11–13
Practice:
Pray 2 Corinthians 12:9 over your struggles daily.
Week 17 – Hope of Christ’s Return
Primary Reading: 1 Thessalonians 1–5
Focus: Encouragement to live holy lives while awaiting Christ’s return.
Supplemental Cross-References:
John 14:1–3
Titus 2:11–13
Practice:
Encourage one believer this week with the hope of Christ’s coming.
Week 18 – Strength in Persecution
Primary Reading: 2 Thessalonians 1–3
Focus: God strengthens us to stand firm under trials.
Supplemental Cross-References:
Matthew 5:10–12
1 Peter 5:8–10
Practice:
Pray daily for persecuted believers around the world.
Week 19 – Guard the Good Deposit
Primary Reading: 1 Timothy 1–6
Focus: Paul charges Timothy to guard sound teaching and live a godly life.
Supplemental Cross-References:
2 Timothy 1:6–14
Titus 2:11–14
Practice:
Memorize 1 Timothy 6:12 and pray to ‘fight the good fight of faith.’
Week 20 – Finishing the Race
Primary Reading: 2 Timothy 1–4; Titus 1–3
Focus: Paul’s final words urge endurance and faithful ministry.
Supplemental Cross-References:
Acts 20:24
Hebrews 12:1–3
Practice:
Write a prayer committing to finish well in Christ.
Week 21 – Gospel of Matthew (Part 1)
Primary Reading: Matthew 1–14
Focus: Jesus fulfills the promises and reveals God’s Kingdom.
Supplemental Cross-References:
Isaiah 9:6–7
Micah 5:2
Practice:
Write one way Jesus fulfills Old Testament prophecy each day.
Week 22 – Gospel of Matthew (Part 2)
Primary Reading: Matthew 15–28
Focus: The cross and resurrection display Jesus as King and Savior.
Supplemental Cross-References:
Zechariah 9:9
Isaiah 53
Practice:
Journal how Jesus’ death and resurrection bring you personal freedom.
Week 23 – Gospel of John (Part 1)
Primary Reading: John 1–10
Focus: Jesus reveals Himself as the Son of God through signs and teaching.
Supplemental Cross-References:
John 20:31
1 John 5:11–12
Practice:
Record one ‘I Am’ statement of Jesus each day.
Week 24 – Gospel of John (Part 2)
Primary Reading: John 11–21
Focus: Jesus demonstrates His power over death and restores His disciples.
Supplemental Cross-References:
John 14:6
Romans 10:9–10
Practice:
Each day, write a short prayer of trust in Jesus’ resurrection power.
Week 25 – Living Faith in Action
Primary Reading: James 1–5
Focus: Faith without works is dead; true faith produces action.
Supplemental Cross-References:
Hebrews 11:1–6
Ephesians 2:8–10
Practice:
Do one practical good work each day as an act of faith.
Week 26 – Hope in Suffering
Primary Reading: 1 Peter 1–5
Focus: We are called to holiness and hope while enduring trials.
Supplemental Cross-References:
Romans 5:1–5
Isaiah 40:28–31
Practice:
Write a prayer thanking God for refining you through trials.
Week 27 – Walking in Love and Truth
Primary Reading: 1–3 John
Focus: John emphasizes love, obedience, and discerning truth from error.
Supplemental Cross-References:
John 15:9–12
2 John 6
Practice:
Pray daily for strength to love as Jesus loved.
Week 28 – Conquerors in Christ
Primary Reading: Revelation 1–22
Focus: Jesus is the victorious Lamb; His people overcome with Him.
Supplemental Cross-References:
Daniel 7:13–14
Revelation 12:11
Practice:
Worship using Revelation 21–22; envision your eternal identity in Christ.
