Lectio continua (continuous reading) means the practice of sequential reading of Scripture in order, for example at a service (either daily or every Sunday). Each passage for reading begins with the place where the previous passage ended. Lectio continua differs, for example, from Lectio selecta, in which Scripture is read selectively.
The famous church father and preacher, John Chrysostom, practiced Lectio continua, preaching in order from the books of the Bible. His practice was resumed in Zurich with 1519 reformer Ulrich Zwingli .
The practice of Lectio continua also continues in some modern Protestant churches under the guise of cycles of expository sermons on the books of the Bible. This was preached by Jean Calvin (reformist, 16th century), Charles Simeon (Englishman, 19th century), Martin Lloyd-Jones (Congregationalist, 20th century) and many others. Among the more modern trainees of this approach are such preachers as Richard Lucas (Englishman), John Piper (Baptist), John MacArthur (fundamentalist).