New/Old Testament in a Year: April 2013

Saturday 27 April 2013

New Teatament Bible Reading Challenge week 9

New Testament Bible Reading Challenge

4 March 2013 to 28th February 2014

Week 09: Bible Reading Plan and Discussion Starters

Welcome to The Salvation Army's Challenge to read the New Testament from beginning to end within one year, reading just 5 chapters per week.

We are now onto Week 9 of our New Testament Bible Reading Challenge, and on Thursday we'll have finished reading through Mark's Gospel!

Great Expectations: Expect God to speak through the Scriptures, expect to learn new things about Him, and about ourselves, and expect to read and absorb some familiar stories and passages.

Top Tip!To get the most out of this challenge, start each daily reading with a short, simple, sincere prayer asking God to guide your thinking as you read. Then open the Bible and read slowly, with the aim of learning something new. After the reading, consider how it may affect your life and relationship with Jesus, and allow your increased knowledge of the Scriptures to shape your character and strengthen your trust in God.Take your time - enjoy this opportunity - and may God bless you as you embark upon this New Testament Bible Challenge.
Captain Phil Layton

Monday, April 29, 2013 --- Mark 13 --- Jesus describes end-time signs, but stresses that the day of His coming is unknown.

- Reading through those first few verses, do we (or humankind in general) ever marvel so much at the accomplishments of architecture, science, politics, celebrities and technology that we forget to consider how fragile such things are?

- To what extent can we know anything about the end-times?

- v32-36, if the date of Jesus' coming is something which we cannot know....is it there any benefit in thinking about the endtimes or about His return? If not, then why does the Bible mention it so much?

Tuesday, April 30, 2013 --- Mark 14 --- Jesus is anointed, remembered, betrayed, arrested, tried, and denied.

- Jesus' anointing at Bethany v1-9, do you think Mark recalled this story because of Jesus' prediction in v9?

- v12-16, do you think Jesus simply knew what responses would be given? Or that He was using some sort of mind-control technique on the owner of the house? Or that perhaps He had made some sort of previous agreement with the house-owner regarding the use of that upper-room?

- Can you imagine what Peter must have felt like in v27-31? If not, try and imagine if your best friend/spouse/Jesus Himself told you that you would deny them 3 times within just a few short hours.

- Can you unpack what Jesus meant in verse 49?

- v51-52 is an odd sentence to include at this point during the story. Why do you think it was included?

Wednesday, May 01, 2013 --- Mark 15 --- As predicted in Chapter 10:33, Jesus is mocked, spat upon, flogged, killed and buried.

- Isn't this chapter a remarkable piece of fulfilment from Jesus' previous prophecy made in Mark 10:33?

- v34 Some consider Jesus' words to be a description of the anguish and abandonment he felt at the time, others consider this to be a strange question from someone who we claim to be the omniscient God in the flesh? What do you make of these words?

Thursday, May 02, 2013 --- Mark 16 --- As predicted in Chapter 10:34, Jesus defeats death and is resurrected!

- 2 women called Mary came to the tomb early on the Sunday. One of them is called the 'mother of James' in v1, and yet she was called the 'mother of Joses' at the end of yesterday's reading in v47....why do you think Mark made this difference just one sentence after another?

- Is it understandable or incredible that Jesus' followers still had difficulty in believing He had risen until they had seen Him for themselves?

- How important to our faith is a belief in the resurrection?

Friday, May 03, 2013 --- Luke 1 --- Luke begins his account with the birth of John the Baptist, and Gabriel’s visit to Mary.

- Consider the first 4 verses and you will find Luke's reason for writing his Gospel. From these sentences, can you summarise his motive?

- v18, Some might say that it is natural for an older man to have such doubts about the promise of a son....others might say that if an angel appears to you then you believe what he say, however unlikely...what do you think?

- read v26-38, do you believe in the virgin birth? if so- why? if not - why not? how many times within these verses is her virginity mentioned?

- Were John the Baptist and Jesus related?

- Was John of priestly descent?

Friday 19 April 2013

New Teatament Bible Reading Challenge week 8

New Testament Bible Reading Challenge

4 March 2013 to 28th February 2014

Week 08: Bible Reading Plan and Discussion Starters

Welcome to The Salvation Army's Challenge to read the New Testament from beginning to end within one year, reading just 5 chapters per week.

We are now onto Week 8 of our New Testament Bible Reading Challenge, and on Tuesday we’ll cross over the half-way stage through Mark’s Gospel.

Great Expectations: Expect God to speak through the Scriptures, expect to learn new things about Him, and about ourselves, and expect to read and absorb some familiar stories and passages.

Top Tip!To get the most out of this challenge, start each daily reading with a short, simple, sincere prayer asking God to guide your thinking as you read. Then open the Bible and read slowly, with the aim of learning something new. After the reading, consider how it may affect your life and relationship with Jesus, and allow your increased knowledge of the Scriptures to shape your character and strengthen your trust in God.
Take your time - enjoy this opportunity - and may God bless you as you embark upon this New Testament Bible Challenge.
Captain Phil Layton

Monday, April 22, 2013 --- Mark 8 --- Jesus miraculously feeds 4,000 and heals a blind man, but still He is underestimated.

- The feeding of the 4,000 was obviously very impressive, and yet maybe the 'shine' is taken off this miracle because 2 chapters earlier we read about Him feeding 5,000...and with less food! But do you think that having this 'less impressive' miracle mentioned afterward somehow actually adds to the credibility, accuracy, and authenticity of the reports?

- v34 reads, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me."...what do you think this 'cross' is that Jesus is referring to?

Tuesday, April 23, 2013 --- Mark 9 --- The Transfiguration, an exorcism, the need to serve one another and to avoid sin!
- Take a look at v10 and v32. Is it fair to say that the disciples were not necessarily 'slow' with regard to understanding Jesus' teaching and mission, but that we simply have the luxury of hindsight?

- v35, how can you be a servant?

- "Tough on sin, and tough on the causes of sin!" (v42-48)...would/should this be a slogan that would sit comfortably within the Church today?

Wednesday, April 24, 2013 --- Mark 10 --- More teaching, and a more detailed prediction about Jesus’ death and resurrection.

- Some of Jesus' teaching on divorce may seem rather strict to some, perfectly 'normal' to others....what do you think?

- Try taking v33-34 apart and notice how this really is an amazingly precise and detailed prediction.

Thursday, April 25, 2013 --- Mark 11 --- Jesus’ Triumphal entry, anger at the Temple’s misuse, and authority is questioned.
- v11, do you think that maybe here Jesus is 'psyching Himself up' for what was to follow?

- v12-14 seems a bit harsh bearing in mind that it wasn't the season for figs anyway...why do you think Jesus reacted this way?

Friday, April 26, 2013 --- Mark 12 --- More teaching, including the greatest commandment!

- v18-27 Jesus not only answers the trick question from the Sadducees, but also goes on to refute their whole anti-resurrection theology!....but, from Jesus' answer, can we tell whether the dead have risen already? or whether their resurrection is a future event?

- How useful would it be for us to memorise and practice the 2 greatest commandments outlined by Jesus in v29-31?

Friday 12 April 2013

New Testament Bible Reading Challenge Week 7

New Testament Bible Reading Challenge

4 March 2013 to 28th February 2014

Week 07: Bible Reading Plan and Discussion Starters

Welcome to The Salvation Army's Challenge to read the New Testament from beginning to end within one year, reading just 5 chapters per week.

We are now onto Week 7, and as we continue through Mark’s Gospel you may notice the similarities with Matthew’s Gospel, and yet that’s the beauty of the Gospels - 4 separate accounts which each help us to see who Jesus is from a different perspective, but when brought together give us a much deeper, richer portrayal of our Saviour.

Great Expectations: Expect God to speak through the Scriptures, expect to learn new things about Him, and about ourselves, and expect to read and absorb some familiar stories and passages.

Monday, April 15, 2013 --- Mark 3 --- Jesus heals on the Sabbath, is recognised by more evil spirits, and calls the Twelve.- Why do you think Jesus gave the evil spirits strict orders not to reveal who He was? (v12)

- Read verses 13-19, then test yourself...can you name the Twelve Apostles?

Tuesday, April 16, 2013 --- Mark 4 --- Jesus uses parables to teach, and then demonstrates His authority over nature.- If we linger awhile on the parable of the sower and its meaning, can we think of cultures, or individuals who fall into each of the categories listed? Are there folk close to us who we might include? Folk within our churches, or who used to be in our churches too?

- What about ourselves...are there times, occasions, and circumstances when in truth we may find ourselves drifting into one of the categories where the seed is not falling into good soil within our own lives?

Wednesday, April 17, 2013 --- Mark 5 --- Jesus casts out demons, heals a woman, and brings a dead girl back to life!- Why do you think Jesus asked for the name of the evil spirit within the possessed man? Didn't He know it?

- Can you imagine the impact this event would have had on the area?...Imagine 2000 pigs drowning from such an event in your area!

- Is there any significance in the number 12 being the same in verse 25 as in verse 42?

- Jesus once more demonstrates His absolute authority and sovereignty...yet with all the theological intricacies and healthy debates which we can dwell on within our faith, do you sense the power of Jesus' simple reassurance in v36?

Thursday, April 18, 2013 --- Mark 6 --- John the Baptist is beheaded, Jesus feeds over 5000 with little, and walks on water- Read v1-6 carefully. Is it possible to be blind to the extent to which God may be using those closest to us, just because we don't expect it?

- It is possible to take the miracle of feeding the 5000 too casually. Have we considered exactly what that would have looked like, how impossible the task may have seemed, and how Jesus not only met their need, but surpassed it overwhelmingly?

- What can we learn for our own lives from this event?

Friday, April 19, 2013 --- Mark 7 --- Jesus explains the need to challenge any tradition that obscures God’s will.- This reading requires a significant piece of self-assessment within our own lives, within our churches, and within the Church as a whole if we are to truly appreciate its implications. Are there any traditions that we/the church/humankind has introduced which may seem good but are in danger of becoming obstacles to our relationship with God?

- How do we decipher what is a helpful tradition and what is not?

Friday 5 April 2013

New Testament Bible Reading Challenge Week 6

New Testament Bible Reading Challenge

4 March 2013 to 28th February 2014

Week 06: Bible Reading Plan and Discussion Starters

Welcome to The Salvation Army's Challenge to read the New Testament from beginning to end within one year, reading just 5 chapters per week.

We are now onto Week 6 of the Bible Challenge, which means we have now completed 10% of this Bible Reading Challenge...

...plus - we will have also completed the longest book of the New Testament!!!

Great Expectations: Expect God to speak through the Scriptures, expect to learn new things about Him, and about ourselves, and expect to read and absorb some familiar stories and passages.

Top Tip!
To get the most out of this challenge, start each daily reading with a short, simple, sincere prayer asking God to guide your thinking as you read. Then open the Bible and read slowly, with the aim of learning something new. After the reading, consider how it may affect your life and relationship with Jesus, and allow your increased knowledge of the Scriptures to shape your character and strengthen your trust in God.

Take your time - enjoy this opportunity - and may God bless you as you embark upon this New Testament Bible Challenge.

Captain Phil Layton

Monday, April 08, 2013 --- Matthew 26 –In just 1 chapter we read of Jesus anointed, betrayed, arrested, tried, and denied!

- Is it true that 'the Last Supper' was actually a Jewish Passover meal?

- Why would Jesus have gone to the effort of having this meal before such an important day, couldn't He have opted out?

- What was the significance and meaning of the meal?

- In what way was Jesus associating Himself with this meal?

- Read verses 50-54. If a legion consists of 5,000 troops, how many angels was Jesus saying He could order to intervene in this injustice at a moment's notice?

- Do you feel sorry for Peter and the predicament he found himself in?

- Do you think his denial was predetermined or simply pre-known?

Tuesday, April 09, 2013 --- Matthew 27 –The greatest crime of injustice ever to have been committed: The death of Jesus

- Do you think the regret demonstrated by Judas indicates that ultimately he was saved? Or that he simply couldn't cope with the guilt?

- v26...why did Pilate have Jesus flogged if he was handing Him over to be crucified? Was he hoping the crowd would take pity?...or was he simply trying to please the crowds?

- v40...when teased and mocked in this way...what would the repercussions have been for the crowds (and for us today) if Jesus would have proved His divinity there and then?

Wednesday, April 10, 2013 --- Matthew 28 – An amazingly short chapter with the most amazing event: The Resurrection!

- How many other religions can you think of whose central figure is claimed to have come back to life?

- What does Jesus' resurrection teach us about Jesus' authority to make promises such as found in John 3:16?

- Without the resurrection, do you think the first disciples would have been so willing to endure persecution and torture for their belief in Jesus?

- Without the resurrection, do you think the story ending in Jesus' death would have had such an impact on the world and for so long?

- Without the resurrection of Jesus Christ, try to imagine how confident and/or scared we would feel about death and what follows it.

Thursday, April 11, 2013 --- Mark 1 – The Gospel of Mark…the shortest Gospel, and also the first to be written.

- Why was Jesus baptised by John?

- v23-24...don't you think it's both amazing and also profound evidence to the divinity of Christ, that the evil spirits recognise Him at such an early stage of His ministry?

- v44...why keep this a secret?...and why offer the sacrifices?

Friday, April 12, 2013 --- Mark 2 – Jesus heals a paralytic, calls Levi to be His disciple, and answers questions on Jewish law.

- The chapter starts with a well-known story...how do you think the owner of the house felt about the paralytic man's friends digging a hole in the roof?

- v1...is it possible that this was the place Jesus was living in at the time?...if so, was He the owner, and was it His roof?

- v23-28...did Jesus abolish the Sabbath, or merely provide the disciples and Pharisees with His interpretation of the law?

Useful resources to help promote this challenge and the reading of Scripture at your church/centre/devotions

Click here to watch the Igniter Bible Video

We Believe

We believe the Holy Bible
Is God's word, inspired, divine.
May its pages so inspire us
Love with heart, soul, strength and mind.
God Almighty, awesome Saviour;
By His work His power is known
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
May God's love through us be shown.

( chorus)
We believe in the Holy Bible,
And our faith is in the Lord
We believe Christ died to save us,
Life eternal is our reward.

We believe our sin and weakness
Would keep us from God's design
Jesus died to make us worthy,
I am God's and He is mine!
Jesus' death saves all who trust Him,
Born again through faith by grace,
Daily trusting and obeying,
'Til at last we see His face.

We believe in resurrection,
Christ will come to take us home.
Set apart a holy people,
Til our work on earth is done.
Sin and death no more may sting me
God is just, in Him we trust,
God, Creator, Judge, Redeemer
Praise His name the First and Last.

'We believe' is a sung theology.

For use with the tune Blaenwern (without chorus) or, preferably with a completely new and contemporary styled tune which has proved to be popular, easy to remember, and which places proper emphasis where required. (This is a free resource - download music below)

Our hope is that this offering will help church-goers to recite and absorb our basic doctrines in order to inspire confidence and reassurance in a world where such things are being seriously challenged....and the accompanying new majestic music really has added such a huge amount to this, turning it into an act of worship and witness that can be easily accessed by all.

Feel free to make use of this song, and let us know how you get on!

Click here to download the words (.doc format)

Click here to download the piano music (pdf format)

Click here to download the brass band music (pdf format)

Click here to download a backing track (mp3 format)

Click here to watch a video of this song being used in a Baptist church in Kirkcaldy.