How to Plan the Biblical Feasts (Even If You’re Just Starting Out)
I first began learning about the biblical feasts in 2020.
As I studied Scripture, I came across Leviticus 23:4, where the feasts are described as the appointed times of the Lord and a holy convocation for all time. That concept stayed with me. I felt a quiet but clear conviction that these days were not simply historical events or cultural traditions, but something God was still inviting His people into today and always.
I wanted to be faithful. I wanted to obey. And I wanted to experience whatever God had for me in these days.
What I didn’t realize was how much learning and planning would be required.
At the beginning, I didn’t fully understand the purpose of the feasts — how they related to today, how they pointed to Jesus, or what they meant for Christians now. I was trying to learn theology, history, and instruction while also figuring out dates, calendars, preparation, and logistics.
By the time I started to understand the “why,” I felt mentally overloaded and unprepared to handle the “how.” Planning felt like an entirely separate project — one that required time, clarity, and organization I simply didn’t have yet.
Instead of feeling invited, I felt behind.
Learning About the Moedim (God’s Appointed Times)
The biblical feasts are often referred to as the moedim — God’s appointed times. These are not random holidays, but specific days where God instructs His people to worship Him His way, and as they do, He promises to meet with them at those appointed times.
When I first learned about them, I was captivated. There was so much beauty, meaning, and connection to Jesus woven into each feast. I couldn’t believe I had spent so many years of my faith walk unaware of them.
My First Year: Good Intentions, Much to Learn
That first year, I focused all my energy on Passover.
I researched. I planned. I prepared. And when Passover arrived, it was meaningful and powerful.
What I didn’t realize then was that Passover doesn’t stand alone.
I had no idea that the Feast of Unleavened Bread and Firstfruits followed right behind it. By the time I realized this, those days were upon me & I was unprepared.
I remember feeling guilty — like I had failed before I even really started.
I had wanted to honor God, and instead I felt behind, rushed, and discouraged.
When Overwhelm Takes Over
By the time Shavuot came around later that year, I felt like the entire process was just… too much.
There were more dates to track. More meaning to understand. More preparation required. And I still felt like I didn’t know what I was doing.
So I didn’t do anything at all.
And with that came more silent guilt.
I had such a desire to honor God through the feasts, but the learning curve felt steep, and I didn’t know where to turn for practical help. I quietly carried the regret of each feast I missed and the desire to do better next time grew.
Trying Again — and Hitting the Same Wall
In 2022, Passover felt easier. I had done it before. I had some resources. I knew what to expect.
That year, I successfully observed Passover, Unleavened Bread, and Firstfruits.
But when it came time for the later feasts, I hit the same wall.
New dates. New information to absorb. New planning needs.
Again, I felt like I was always catching up instead of preparing ahead. And again, I found myself missing feasts I genuinely wanted to observe.
This cycle continued for a few years — learning, trying, feeling blessed when I had it together, and discouraged when I didn’t.
What I Started to Notice
Despite the struggle, one thing became very clear to me:
Every feast I showed up for, God met me there.
Not because I did it perfectly. Not because I had everything figured out. But because I came with a willing heart.
The feasts became incredibly life-giving. They slowed me down. They reoriented my faith. They brought Scripture to life in new ways. I wanted more.
I also wanted to share this with my friends.
But as I did, I noticed something:
They were experiencing the same overwhelm, insecurity, and uncertainty that I had.
They wanted to observe the feasts. They felt drawn to them. But they didn’t know where to start — and if they did try, they were met with so much friction that they fell into the same cycle of overwhelm and guilt that had slowed me down.
The Missing Piece: Planning Ahead
What finally changed things for me wasn’t learning more theology.
It was getting organized.
I realized that feast planning isn’t something that can be done last minute. The biblical calendar moves differently than our modern one, and without intentional planning, it’s easy to miss things — even with the best intentions.
Once I began:
writing feast dates on my calendar
noting Sabbaths and High Holy Days
planning months ahead instead of weeks
breaking preparation into small, manageable steps
everything changed.
The feasts stopped feeling overwhelming and started feeling approachable, even exciting.
A Few Practical Ways to Start Planning the Biblical Feasts
If feast planning feels overwhelming, here are a few simple steps that helped me move from confusion to clarity. You don’t need to do all of these at once — even one or two can make a big difference.
1. Get All the Feast Dates in One Place
One of the biggest challenges early on is not realizing how closely some of the feasts are connected. Writing all the feast dates for the year on a single calendar helped me see the bigger picture and avoid being surprised by what came next.
2. Plan in Seasons, Not Individual Days
Rather than treating each feast as a standalone event, it helped to think in seasons — spring feasts and fall feasts. This made preparation feel less scattered and allowed me to plan ahead instead of reacting last minute.
3. Note Sabbaths and High Holy Days Early
Identifying which feast days are Sabbaths or High Holy Days ahead of time made it much easier to plan work schedules, travel, and family commitments without stress or guilt.
4. Separate Learning from Planning
Trying to learn the meaning of the feasts and plan them at the same time was overwhelming for me. Setting aside time to learn first — and then approaching planning as a separate, practical step — made everything feel more manageable.
5. Give Yourself Permission to Start Small
You don’t need to observe every feast perfectly to begin. Planning even one feast intentionally is a meaningful place to start, and clarity grows with experience.
Why I Created a Planning Guide
This year, I felt prompted by the Lord to create something to help my friends — and others like them — navigate this process with peace instead of pressure.
I wanted to create a resource that:
is easy for beginners, but also useful for experienced feast keepers
removes guilt from the learning process
focuses on planning, not perfection
helps you show up prepared so you can actually enjoy the feasts with your family
That’s how my Biblical Feasts Planning Guide was born.
If You’re Just Starting Out
If you’re feeling drawn to the biblical feasts but don’t know where to begin, please hear this:
You’re not behind.
You haven’t failed.
And you don’t need to do everything at once.
Start small. Plan ahead. Give yourself grace.
The feasts were never meant to be another source of pressure. They are an invitation to worship God His way and to experience His presence in intentional seasons throughout the year.
If you’d like a practical tool to help you see the full feast calendar at a glance, plan ahead using clear timeframes, and break preparation into manageable steps, you can learn more about my Biblical Feasts Planning Guide here:
Whether you use my resource or not, my hope is that you find freedom, joy, and blessing as you begin to make space for God’s appointed times in your life.
To life, to life, l'chaim!