Here are some appropriate scripture passages to read as we approach the Passover (March 25, 2013 - observed evening before) and Days of Unleavened Bread (March 26 - April 1, 2013). This appeared in the United News several years ago and I've updated it so the dates fit for this year (2013). It can be used as a supplement to your personal Bible study.

March 19 - 24: Passover Preparation

The Passover ceremony, in which only baptized members of the Church of God actually participate, takes place this year on March 24 in the evening. Six days in this Bible reading program are allotted to preparation for the Passover. (Even if you are not yet a baptized member, you would do well to focus on the profound meaning and on your need to eventually participate in it).

The topic listing below explains the significance of each day's reading. It would also be helpful to read "The Passover: Why Did Jesus Christ Have to Die?" from our Bible study aid God's Holy Day Plan: The Promise of Hope for All Mankind.

For those who are baptized, it is important during this period that, before you partake of the Passover, you do some serious personal Bible study in spiritually examining yourself (1 Corinthians 11:28 and 2 Corinthians 13:5).

March 26 - April 1: The Feast of Unleavened Bread

The Feast of Unleavened Bread begins this year on March 25 in the evening. This night, the "night to be observed" (Exodus 12:42 KJV) or "night of solemn observance" (NKJV), begins the seven-day festival. The readings focus on the institution and observance of the festival and the need to do what it pictures - put out sin, living a life of overcoming as Christ and the apostles instructed.

Sunday, March 31, is the day on which the ancient wave-sheaf offering would fall this year, picturing Christ being presented before the Father for acceptance as the first of the firstfruits. Leviticus 23:11 identifies the day of the of the wave as being a Sunday (a weekday for which the Hebrews had no name, and which is described in the Old Testament only as "the day after the Sabbath"). Because of its symbolism, it is clear that that is not just any Sunday, but the one that occurs during the Feast of Unleavened Bread.

Lastly, according to Jewish tradition, the crossing of the Red Sea (which, the New Testament explains, was a forerunner of baptism) took place at the end of the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Thus, the verses on this topic are included in the last two days' reading. During the feast, it would also be helpful to read "The Feast of Unleavened Bread: The Lesson of Leaving Sin" from the Bible study aido God's Holy Day Plan.

Topics and Bible Scripture Readings

March 19, 2013

Passover (Christ foreshadowed)

Exodus 12:1-14; Exodus 12:21-36; Exodus 12:43-49; Isaiah 52:13-15; Isaiah 53:1-12

March 20-22, 2013

Passover (Christ institutes the New Covenant)

John 13:1-17; Matt 26:26-30; Matthew 27:27-50; 1 Corinthians 11:17-34

March 23-24, 2013

Passover (symbolism)

John 6:4; John 6:22-71; 1 Corinthians 10:14-22

March 25, 2013

Unleavened Bread (Festival instituted; Night To Be Much Observed; meaning of leaven; kept in New Testament)

Exodus 12:15-20; Exodus 12:37-42; Exodus 12:50-51; Exodus 13:3-10; Leviticus 23:4-8; Matthew 16:5-12; Luke 12:1-3; 1 Corinthians 5:1-13

March 26, 2013

Unleavened Bread (walk in obedience)

John 14:1-31; John 15:1-17

March 27, 2013

Unleavened Bread (put out sin and live in obedience to God)

1 Corinthians 6:9-20; 2 Corinthians 6:11-18; 2 Corinthians 7:1; 2 Corinthians 10:1-6; Galatians 5:9; Galatians 5:16-26; Galatians 6:1-10

March 28, 2013

Unleavened Bread (wave sheaf offering, Christ the Firstfruits and following His example of obedience)

Leviticus 23:9-14; 1 Corinthians 15:20; Colossians 1:18; Romans 8:29; Romans 12:1-2; Romans 13:11-14; 1 John 1:5-10; 1 John 2:15-17; 1 John 3:4-23

March 29, 2013

Unleavened Bread (walking worthily)

Ephesians 4:1-3; Ephesians 4:17-32; Ephesians 5:1-21; Ephesians 6:10-18

March 30, 2013

Unleavened Bread (living according to the new life in Christ: Drawing near to god and resisting Satan)

Philippians 2:12-16; Colossians 3:1-17; 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8; Titus 2:11-12; Titus 3:1-8; James 1:12-15; James 4:7-12

March 31, 2013

Unleavened Bread (Baptism symbolic)

1 Corinthians 9:24; Romans 6:1-23

April 1, 2013

Unleavened Bread (old self dead through baptism; live a life of overcoming)

1 Peter 1:13-25; 1 Peter 2:1-3; 1 Peter 2:11-12; 1 Peter 3:18-22; 1 Peter 4:1-8; 1 Peter 5:8-11; 2 Peter 1:5-11; 2 Peter 3:17-18