New Testament Bible Reading Challenge week 13

New Testament Bible Reading Challenge 4 March 2013 to 28th February 2014 Week 13: 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 13 of our New Testament Bible Reading Challenge....

...which must mean we're 1/4 way through the whole challenge!!!!

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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

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Monday, May 27, 2013 --- Luke 17 --- Jesus talks about our service for God, and heals 10 lepers – only one of whom returns to say thanks

- v7-10, how would you interpret and apply these verses to your own life?

- v20-37, do we ever stop to read and understand these verses?...do they make sense?...and if not then do you think it would be worthwhile grappling with them to find out their meaning?

Tuesday, May 28, 2013 --- Luke 18 --- Jesus welcomes children, predicts His death, and warns how the love of temporary money/possessions can distract us from the things that last forever.

- v9-14 is a parable, and so what is its meaning and how can we apply it to ourselves?...What was the error of the Pharisee, to pray boldly? to exalt himself? or to compare himself with others?

- v17 is a verse which can easily be misunderstood or even abused, and yet seems basic to our faith....what does it mean? Is there a difference between a childish faith and a childlike one?

Wednesday, May 29, 2013 --- Luke 19 --- The story of Zacchaeus, and the parable of the 10 minas.

- v12-26, the parable of the 10 minas is told for the reasons given in v11 (which is interesting in itself!)....and so who is the king, who are the servants, and who are the subjects?

- v37-39, while Jesus rode on a donkey into Jerusalem, who were the crowds praising God out loud, and how many do you think there were?

Thursday, May 30, 2013 --- Luke 20 --- Jesus silences His sceptics, and provides further teaching

- v9-19, the teachers of the law and chief priests understand this parable as speaking against them....but where do you and I fit into this story, if at all?

- v45-47, the chapter ends with a very stern warning 'Such men will be punished most severely'...should we take this at face value? what are we to make of it?

Friday, May 31, 2013 --- Luke 21 --- Jesus explains how our giving is relative to our circumstances

- v1-4, do we ever compare our giving (financial, time, abilities) with that of what we perceive being given by other people? Can we ever accurately guess or judge the value of what others give?

- v5-38, 'the signs of the end of the age'....do we understand these verses? do we want to understand them? does it matter if we understand them?

- what would be the pros and cons of trying to understand them?