The best way to understand and retain the Scripture is to read it repetitively. The CATC plan takes you through the New Testament three times every year in such a way that you are immersed in one New Testament Gospel or Epistle for several days, absorbing its message and internalizing it in ways a flyover, one-time reading would not permit. 

The Church calendar reflects the storyline of the gospel. Beginning in Advent, the flow of the Church Year tells the story of Jesus:

Advent - the longing for Christ
Christmastide - the arrival of Christ
Epiphany - the glory of Christ
Lent - the holiness of Christ
Eastertide - the indestructible life of Christ
Pentecost - the Spirit of Christ
Ordinary Time - the mission of Christ

The seasons of Advent, Christmas and Epiphany take us through the experience of longing for Jesus, his arrival, and the revelation of his glory to us. Lent and Easter help us experience the reality of our own sin, our need for a suffering Savior who dies and rises from the dead to secure our salvation. The Day of Pentecost and the season of Ordinary Time help us embrace our commission by the Risen Christ who has ascended to the Father and who has poured out his Holy Spirit on the Church, sending us with the gospel to our neighbors and to the nations as we await his return. The CATC readings seek to align with these high points during the Church Year, even reflecting the colors of the Church calendar. Therefore, the books of the bible are not read in order, but in light of their doctrinal focus and alignment with the rhythm of the Church year. 

Each day a reading from Psalms or Proverbs is included in the reading. In this way, you will complete the Psalms in a year. These Psalms serve as great aides for prayer in the evening or morning. 

Because the reading plan is New Testament intensive, the Old Testament is read in its entirety over a two year span. If one completes the two year cycle, in two years they will read the New Testament six times, the Old Testament once, the Psalms twice, and the Proverbs four times. 

We know that it is easy to get behind in any reading plan. We have scheduled every week to include a day to catch up and reflect on what you have been reading. For those who are in step with the reading, they can use this day to reread or study a particular section that spoke to them throughout the week.