2026 Daily Devotion Journal

Introduction

This blog started as a way for me to share what I learned, but journaling was always the primary vehicle for my learning! As such I've been incorporating more and more of the journaling into the blog. In 2025 I created a daily devotion journal themed on the Women of the Bible and it worked really well. So, in 2026 I want to give you guys the opportunity to join me! The theme for 2026 is the Gospels—I'll be studying the contents of the Gospels in chronological order (so, passages that overlap accross books will be read around the same time as opposed to reading each book individually).

I've already outlined the study for the year, so you can use and Bible (digital or hard copy) to follow. However, I have (and will likely use) a chronological Bible which has organizes the text in time order instead of by book.[1]

Setup

Title Options

I love to name my journals—I've been naming them since my freshman year of high school, why stop now. However, I haven't decided what I'm going to call this one yet. Here are some of the ones I've been mulling over in case you see one that you like (or dislike the one I eventually choose):

• Messiah's Message
• One Perfect Melody: A Year with the Harmonized Gospels
• A Four Part Harmony
• The Good News
• Meeting the Messiah
• What He Said
• What Would Jesus Do?

Theme

I like to have an overall theme that connects the whole journal but allows me to try different things each month. This isn't necessary; your journal can be as lowkey as you want.

Once I thought of "A Four Part Harmony", I was convinced the theme should be music. There are lots of easy doodles in this theme, such as a staff, music notes, headphones, cassettes or CDs, microphones, etc. If you want to get more complex you could also use doodles of instruments. Some instruments, such as a xylophone, are fairly simple to draw whereas other instruments might be more complex. Note, instruments and music themed stickers are pretty easy to find on Amazon or in craft stores if you would prefer stickers. There are likely stamps available as well.

Before I decided on music as the theme, I was debating between fruit and cute bugs (e.g., fireflies, bees, etc.) since I can name 12 of each theme that can be doodled easily.

Journal

There are numerous ways to journal and each has it's own pros and cons. The two main categories of journaling are digital vs. physical.

Digital

I am much more acquainted with physical journals, but there are several apps for this as well. A quick Google search will return not only apps that can be used for this but also commentary and rankings of said apps (many of which are free!)

Pros

• Easy to transport
• Easy to search
• Can set up templates
• Can be done for free
• Easy to clean up mistakes

Cons

• We retain more with handwriting
• Requires power and possibly internet

Physical

I prefer physical journals so I'm partial to this option. I'm using a custom B5 journal with 180gsm smooth paper. What type of paper, the thickness of said paper, and the size is personal preference, with the first two being highly connected to the type of pen(s) you use in your journal. Previously I used a Scribbles That Matter journal.

Pros

• Better for memory retention
• Easier to customize
• May be easier to focus because it requires you to "unplug"
• Generally allows for more creativity
• Always a unique and one of a kind creation

Cons

• Have to take it with you if you travel (or backfill entries when you return)
• Can be more easily damaged or lost

The Full Outline

I'm starting in January so that's how the study is arranged, however if you're just stumbling upon this and don't want to wait until next January, you can tweak the dates to suit your own schedule. Each section has 4 parts that can be covered over the course of a week. For the first section, I added dates (based on my timing) to show an example of how you could break up the reading.

Month 1: Beginnings

Week 1: Prologue and Genealogies (Jan 1-7)

• John 1:1-18 - The Word became flesh (Jan 1-2)
• Matthew 1:1-17 - Genealogy through Joseph[2] (Jan 3-4)
• Luke 3:23-38 - Genealogy through Mary[2] (Jan 5-6)
• Review

Week 2: Announcements of Birth (Jan 8-15)

• Luke 1:5-25 - Announcement of John the Baptist's birth (Jan 8-9)
• Luke 1:26-38 - Announcement of Jesus's birth to Mary (Jan 10)
• Matthew 1:18-25 - Announcement to Joseph (Jan 11)
• Luke 1:39-80 - Mary visits Elizabeth; Birth of John (Jan 12-14)
• Review

Week 3: The Nativity (Jan 16-23)

• Luke 2:1-20 - Birth of Jesus and shepherds' visit (Jan 16-17)
• Matthew 2:1-12 - Visit of the Magi (Jan 18-19)
• Matthew 2:13-23 - Flight to Egypt and return to Nazareth (Jan 20)
• Luke 2:21-40 - Presentation at the temple (Jan 21-22)
• Review

Week 4: Jesus's Youth and John's Ministry (Jan 24-31)

• Luke 2:41-52 - Jesus at the temple at age twelve (Jan 24)
• Mark 1:1-8, Matthew 3:1-12, Luke 3:1-20 - John's ministry (Jan 25-27)
• Matthew 3:13-17, Mark 1:9-11, Luke 3:21-22 - Baptism of Jesus (Jan 28-29)
• Matthew 4:1-11, Mark 1:12-13, Luke 4:1-13 - Temptation in the wilderness Jan 30
• Review

Month 2: Early Ministry

Week 1: First Disciples and First Miracle

• John 1:19-51 - John's testimony and first disciples
• John 2:1-12 - Wedding at Cana
• John 2:13-25 - First cleansing of the temple
• John 3:1-21 - Conversation with Nicodemus

Week 2: Ministry in Judea and Samaria

• John 3:22-36 - John's testimony about Jesus
• John 4:1-42 - Woman at the well
• John 4:43-54 - Healing of the official's son
• Luke 4:14-30 - Rejection at Nazareth

Week 3: Galilean Ministry Begins

• Matthew 4:12-17, Mark 1:14-15 - Jesus begins preaching
• Matthew 4:18-22, Mark 1:16-20, Luke 5:1-11 - Calling the first disciples
• Mark 1:21-28, Luke 4:31-37 - Driving out an evil spirit
• Matthew 8:14-17, Mark 1:29-34, Luke 4:38-41 - Healing Peter's mother-in-law

Week 4: Early Healings and Teachings

• Mark 1:35-39, Luke 4:42-44 - Prayer and preaching tour
• Matthew 8:1-4, Mark 1:40-45, Luke 5:12-16 - Healing a leper
• Matthew 9:1-8, Mark 2:1-12, Luke 5:17-26 - Healing a paralyzed man
• Matthew 9:9-13, Mark 2:13-17, Luke 5:27-32 - Calling of Matthew/Levi

Month 3: Growing Opposition

Week 1: Controversies with Religious Leaders

• Matthew 9:14-17, Mark 2:18-22, Luke 5:33-39 - Questions about fasting
• John 5:1-47 - Healing at the pool and Sabbath controversy
• Matthew 12:1-8, Mark 2:23-28, Luke 6:1-5 - Lord of the Sabbath
• Matthew 12:9-14, Mark 3:1-6, Luke 6:6-11 - Man with a withered hand

Week 2: Choosing the Twelve and Sermon on the Mount

• Mark 3:7-19, Luke 6:12-16 - Appointing the Twelve
• Matthew 5:1-16, Luke 6:17-26 - Beatitudes
• Matthew 5:17-48 - Jesus and the Law
• Matthew 6:1-34 - True righteousness and anxiety

Week 3: Sermon on the Mount Continued

• Matthew 7:1-29, Luke 6:37-49 - Judging others and wise foundation
• Matthew 8:5-13, Luke 7:1-10 - Faith of the centurion
• Luke 7:11-17 - Raising the widow's son
• Matthew 11:2-19, Luke 7:18-35 - Jesus and John the Baptist

Week 4: Forgiveness and Faith

• Luke 7:36-50 - Sinful woman anoints Jesus
• Luke 8:1-3 - Women supporting Jesus
• Matthew 12:22-37, Mark 3:20-30 - Blasphemy against the Spirit
• Matthew 12:38-45 - Sign of Jonah

Month 4: Parables and Miracles

Week 1: Jesus's Family and Parables

• Matthew 12:46-50, Mark 3:31-35, Luke 8:19-21 - Jesus's true family
• Matthew 13:1-23, Mark 4:1-20, Luke 8:4-15 - Parable of the sower
• Mark 4:21-25, Luke 8:16-18 - Lamp on a stand
• Matthew 13:24-43, Mark 4:26-34 - Kingdom parables

Week 2: Power Over Nature and Demons

• Matthew 8:23-27, Mark 4:35-41, Luke 8:22-25 - Calming the storm
• Matthew 8:28-34, Mark 5:1-20, Luke 8:26-39 - Demon-possessed man
• Matthew 9:18-26, Mark 5:21-43, Luke 8:40-56 - Jairus's daughter and bleeding woman
• Matthew 9:27-34 - Healing the blind and mute

Week 3: Rejection and Mission

• Matthew 13:54-58, Mark 6:1-6 - Rejection at Nazareth
• Matthew 9:35-10:15, Mark 6:7-13, Luke 9:1-6 - Sending out the Twelve
• Matthew 10:16-42 - Instructions for persecution
• Matthew 14:1-12, Mark 6:14-29, Luke 9:7-9 - Death of John the Baptist

Week 4: Feeding Thousands and Walking on Water

• Matthew 14:13-21, Mark 6:30-44, Luke 9:10-17, John 6:1-15 - Feeding the five thousand
• Matthew 14:22-33, Mark 6:45-52, John 6:16-21 - Walking on water
• Matthew 14:34-36, Mark 6:53-56 - Healings at Gennesaret
• John 6:22-71 - Bread of life discourse

Month 5: Identity and Transformation

Week 1: True Cleanliness and Faith

• Matthew 15:1-20, Mark 7:1-23 - Clean and unclean
• Matthew 15:21-28, Mark 7:24-30 - Canaanite woman's faith
• Matthew 15:29-31, Mark 7:31-37 - Healing the deaf and mute
• Matthew 15:32-39, Mark 8:1-10 - Feeding the four thousand

Week 2: Spiritual Blindness

• Matthew 16:1-12, Mark 8:11-21 - Demand for a sign
• Mark 8:22-26 - Healing of a blind man at Bethsaida
• Matthew 16:13-20, Mark 8:27-30, Luke 9:18-20 - Peter's confession
• Matthew 16:21-28, Mark 8:31-9:1, Luke 9:21-27 - Jesus predicts his death

Week 3: Transfiguration and Faith

• Matthew 17:1-13, Mark 9:2-13, Luke 9:28-36 - Transfiguration
• Matthew 17:14-21, Mark 9:14-29, Luke 9:37-43a - Healing a demon-possessed boy
• Matthew 17:22-23, Mark 9:30-32, Luke 9:43b-45 - Second prediction of death
• Matthew 17:24-27 - Temple tax in the fish's mouth

Week 4: Humility and Forgiveness

• Matthew 18:1-9, Mark 9:33-37, Luke 9:46-48 - Greatest in the kingdom
• Mark 9:38-41, Luke 9:49-50 - Anyone not against us is for us
• Matthew 18:10-14 - Parable of the lost sheep
• Matthew 18:15-35 - Dealing with sin and forgiveness

Month 6: Journey to Jerusalem

Week 1: Setting Out

• Luke 9:51-56 - Samaritan village rejects Jesus
• Luke 9:57-62 - Cost of following Jesus
• John 7:1-13 - Jesus at the Feast of Tabernacles
• John 7:14-52 - Teaching at the Feast

Week 2: Light of the World

• John 7:53-8:11 - Woman caught in adultery
• John 8:12-59 - Light of the world and Abraham's children
• John 9:1-41 - Healing a man born blind
• John 10:1-21 - Good shepherd

Week 3: Mission of the Seventy-Two

• Luke 10:1-24 - Sending the seventy-two
• Luke 10:25-37 - Good Samaritan
• Luke 10:38-42 - Mary and Martha
• Luke 11:1-13 - Lord's Prayer and persistence

Week 4: Woes and Warnings

• Luke 11:14-36 - Jesus and Beelzebul
• Luke 11:37-54 - Woes to Pharisees
• Luke 12:1-12 - Warnings about hypocrisy
• Luke 12:13-34 - Parable of the rich fool

Month 7: Teaching on the Way

Week 1: Watchfulness and Repentance

• Luke 12:35-59 - Watchfulness and division
• Luke 13:1-9 - Repent or perish
• Luke 13:10-17 - Healing on the Sabbath
• Luke 13:18-35 - Narrow door and lament over Jerusalem

Week 2: Teachings at a Pharisee's House

• Luke 14:1-24 - Healing on the Sabbath and parables of the feast
• Luke 14:25-35 - Cost of discipleship
• Luke 15:1-32 - Lost sheep, coin, and son
• Luke 16:1-18 - Shrewd manager and teachings on money

Week 3: Rich Man and Lazarus

• Luke 16:19-31 - Rich man and Lazarus
• Luke 17:1-10 - Sin, faith, and duty
• John 10:22-42 - Jesus at the Feast of Dedication
• John 11:1-44 - Death and resurrection of Lazarus

Week 4: Reactions to Lazarus's Resurrection

• John 11:45-57 - Plot to kill Jesus
• Luke 17:11-19 - Ten lepers
• Luke 17:20-37 - Coming of the kingdom
• Luke 18:1-14 - Persistent widow and Pharisee and tax collector

Month 8: Teachings on Discipleship

Week 1: Children and Riches

• Matthew 19:1-12, Mark 10:1-12 - Teaching on divorce
• Matthew 19:13-15, Mark 10:13-16, Luke 18:15-17 - Jesus and the children
• Matthew 19:16-30, Mark 10:17-31, Luke 18:18-30 - Rich young ruler
• Matthew 20:1-16 - Workers in the vineyard

Week 2: Jesus Predicts His Death

• Matthew 20:17-19, Mark 10:32-34, Luke 18:31-34 - Third prediction of death
• Matthew 20:20-28, Mark 10:35-45 - Request of James and John
• Matthew 20:29-34, Mark 10:46-52, Luke 18:35-43 - Blind Bartimaeus
• Luke 19:1-10 - Zacchaeus

Week 3: Approaching Jerusalem

• Luke 19:11-27 - Parable of the ten minas
• John 11:55-12:11, Matthew 26:6-13, Mark 14:3-9 - Anointing at Bethany
• Matthew 21:1-11, Mark 11:1-11, Luke 19:28-44, John 12:12-19 - Triumphal entry
• Mark 11:12-14, Matthew 21:18-19 - Cursing the fig tree

Week 4: Cleansing the Temple

• Matthew 21:12-17, Mark 11:15-19, Luke 19:45-48 - Cleansing the temple
• Mark 11:20-26, Matthew 21:20-22 - Withered fig tree
• Matthew 21:23-27, Mark 11:27-33, Luke 20:1-8 - Jesus's authority questioned
• Matthew 21:28-32 - Parable of the two sons

Month 9: Confrontations in Jerusalem

Week 1: Parables of Judgment

• Matthew 21:33-46, Mark 12:1-12, Luke 20:9-19 - Wicked tenants
• Matthew 22:1-14 - Wedding banquet
• Matthew 22:15-22, Mark 12:13-17, Luke 20:20-26 - Paying taxes to Caesar
• Matthew 22:23-33, Mark 12:18-27, Luke 20:27-40 - Marriage at the resurrection

Week 2: Greatest Commandment and Woes

• Matthew 22:34-40, Mark 12:28-34 - Greatest commandment
• Matthew 22:41-46, Mark 12:35-37, Luke 20:41-44 - Whose son is the Christ?
• Matthew 23:1-12, Mark 12:38-40, Luke 20:45-47 - Warning against teachers of the law
• Matthew 23:13-39 - Seven woes

Week 3: Widow's Offering and Olivet Discourse

• Mark 12:41-44, Luke 21:1-4 - Widow's offering
• Matthew 24:1-14, Mark 13:1-13, Luke 21:5-19 - Signs of the end
• Matthew 24:15-28, Mark 13:14-23, Luke 21:20-24 - Abomination and tribulation
• Matthew 24:29-31, Mark 13:24-27, Luke 21:25-28 - Coming of the Son of Man

Week 4: Watchfulness

• Matthew 24:32-35, Mark 13:28-31, Luke 21:29-33 - Fig tree lesson
• Matthew 24:36-51, Mark 13:32-37, Luke 21:34-38 - Day and hour unknown
• Matthew 25:1-13 - Ten virgins
• Matthew 25:14-30 - Talents

Month 10: Final Teachings

Week 1: Judgment and Preparation

• Matthew 25:31-46 - Sheep and goats
• Matthew 26:1-5, Mark 14:1-2, Luke 22:1-2 - Plot against Jesus
• John 12:20-36 - Jesus predicts his death
• John 12:37-50 - Belief and unbelief

Week 2: The Last Supper Preparations

• Matthew 26:14-16, Mark 14:10-11, Luke 22:3-6 - Judas agrees to betray Jesus
• Matthew 26:17-19, Mark 14:12-16, Luke 22:7-13 - Preparations for Passover
• John 13:1-20 - Washing the disciples' feet
• Matthew 26:20-25, Mark 14:17-21, Luke 22:14-16,21-23, John 13:21-30 - Prediction of betrayal

Week 3: The Last Supper

• Matthew 26:26-30, Mark 14:22-26, Luke 22:17-20 - Institution of the Lord's Supper
• Luke 22:24-30 - Dispute about greatness
• John 13:31-38, Matthew 26:31-35, Mark 14:27-31, Luke 22:31-38 - Prediction of Peter's denial
• John 14:1-31 - Jesus comforts his disciples

Week 4: Final Teachings

• John 15:1-17 - Vine and branches
• John 15:18-16:4 - World's hatred
• John 16:5-33 - Work of the Holy Spirit
• John 17:1-26 - Jesus's high priestly prayer

Month 11: Passion Week

Week 1: Gethsemane and Arrest

• Matthew 26:36-46, Mark 14:32-42, Luke 22:39-46, John 18:1 - Gethsemane
• Matthew 26:47-56, Mark 14:43-52, Luke 22:47-53, John 18:2-12 - Betrayal and arrest
• Matthew 26:57-68, Mark 14:53-65, Luke 22:54-55,63-71, John 18:13-14,19-24 - Before the Sanhedrin
• Matthew 26:69-75, Mark 14:66-72, Luke 22:56-62, John 18:15-18,25-27 - Peter's denials

Week 2: Trials

• Matthew 27:1-2, Mark 15:1, Luke 23:1 - Jesus sent to Pilate
• Matthew 27:3-10 - Death of Judas
• John 18:28-38, Matthew 27:11-14, Mark 15:2-5, Luke 23:2-5 - Before Pilate
• Luke 23:6-12 - Before Herod

Week 3: Crucifixion

• Matthew 27:15-26, Mark 15:6-15, Luke 23:13-25, John 18:39-19:16 - Jesus sentenced to death
• Matthew 27:27-31, Mark 15:16-20, John 19:2-3 - Soldiers mock Jesus
• Matthew 27:32-44, Mark 15:21-32, Luke 23:26-43, John 19:17-27 - Crucifixion
• Matthew 27:45-56, Mark 15:33-41, Luke 23:44-49, John 19:28-37 - Death of Jesus

Week 4: Burial and Resurrection

• Matthew 27:57-61, Mark 15:42-47, Luke 23:50-56, John 19:38-42 - Burial of Jesus
• Matthew 27:62-66 - Guard at the tomb
• Matthew 28:1-10, Mark 16:1-8, Luke 24:1-12, John 20:1-10 - Resurrection
• John 20:11-18, Matthew 28:9-10, Mark 16:9-11 - Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene

Month 12: Resurrection, Appearances, and Ascension

Week 1: Resurrection Day

• Luke 24:13-35, Mark 16:12-13 - Road to Emmaus
• Luke 24:36-43, John 20:19-23, Mark 16:14 - Jesus appears to the disciples
• John 20:24-31 - Jesus and Thomas
• Matthew 28:11-15 - Guards' report

Week 2: Appearances in Galilee

• John 21:1-25 - By the Sea of Galilee
• Matthew 28:16-20, Mark 16:15-18 - Great Commission
• 1 Corinthians 15:6-7 - Appears to the five hundred and to James
• Luke 24:44-49 - Final instructions

Week 3: Ascension and Reflection

• Mark 16:19-20, Luke 24:50-53, Acts 1:3-11 - Ascension
• John 20:30-31, 21:25 - Purpose of John's Gospel
• Acts 1:12-14 - Disciples return to Jerusalem
• Acts 2:1-13 - Pentecost

Week 4: Review and Integration

• Review of major themes in the Gospels
• Jesus's teachings about the Kingdom of God
• The significance of Jesus's death and resurrection
• Application of Jesus's teachings to daily life

References and Footnotes

1. I have to caveat here that chronological Bibles are placed in order based on the translators' interpretation of time in certain instances. For example, no one knows for certain if Job takes place before or after the formation of Israel; as such, the placement of the book can vary between chronological Bibles based on what the translators and editors decide.
2. A thing to study during these genealogies is what you believe. The two genealogies provided in the Bible do not match. Many scholars attirbute one to be a lineage through Joseph with the other being the lineage of Mary. This is the time to let the Holy Spirit guide us through different possibilities to determine which is true.