New Testament Bible Reading Challenge
4 March
2013 to 28th February 2014
Week 12: Bible Reading Plan and Discussion
Starters
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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 12 of our New Testament Bible Reading
Challenge....and halfway through Luke!
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, May 20, 2013 --- Luke 12 --- Jesus teaches the parable of the
rich fool, and the need to be ready for heaven!
- Right at the beginning of this chapter we are told that 'many thousands' were now flocking to see Jesus....could this be as a result of the ministry of the 72 in Luke 10?
- v4-5, we are told to 'fear' God...do we? …How?
- v 6-7, we are told not to be afraid?...is this compatible with the advice given in v4-5?
- v16-21, try re-telling this parable and its meaning imagining that the rich fool is living in the same context/environment as you are today. (e.g. that he is a teacher, housewife, shopkeeper, student, minister, builder, etc. etc.)
- 35-46, what is the general teaching of this passage?
- v47-48, how would you interpret the meaning of Jesus' words in these two verses?
Tuesday, May 21, 2013 --- Luke 13 --- Jesus tells more parables, and heals a crippled woman on the Sabbath
- v1-5, are we sometimes tempted into
thinking that bad things only happen to bad people? If so, what do these verses
suggest?
- v18-21, in what way can we recognise the Kingdom of God being like a mustard seed, or like yeast?
- v22-30, why do you think Jesus compared the way of salvation as a 'narrow door'?
- v18-21, in what way can we recognise the Kingdom of God being like a mustard seed, or like yeast?
- v22-30, why do you think Jesus compared the way of salvation as a 'narrow door'?
Wednesday, May 22, 2013 --- Luke 14 --- Jesus interprets the Sabbath, and teaches through more parables
- v15-24, how do you interpret Jesus'
parable of the 'Great Banquet'?
- v26, this may strike you as a difficult sentence....but in a Jewish context it is argued that 'hate' simply means to 'love less'...is this a helpful interpretation?
- v26, this may strike you as a difficult sentence....but in a Jewish context it is argued that 'hate' simply means to 'love less'...is this a helpful interpretation?
(see http://jewsforjesus.org/answers/jesus/family)
Thursday, May 23, 2013 --- Luke 15 --- Jesus uses three more parables to describe the importance of every lost soul
- v1-10, have you ever stopped to
seriously consider that the angels in heaven truly rejoice at your salvation?
- v1-10, how much priority do we give to helping others become saved too? (finding the 'lost sheep/coins' of this world)
- v1-10, once a sheep/coin has been found, is it possible for that sheep/coin to become lost again?
- v11-32, in the parable of the lost son...who do you think the Father and the two sons represent?
- v1-10, how much priority do we give to helping others become saved too? (finding the 'lost sheep/coins' of this world)
- v1-10, once a sheep/coin has been found, is it possible for that sheep/coin to become lost again?
- v11-32, in the parable of the lost son...who do you think the Father and the two sons represent?
Friday, May 24, 2013 --- Luke 16 --- Jesus uses another parable, and
tells the story of the Rich Man and Lazarus.
- The parable of the shrewd manager can
be difficult to understand - how do you interpret it? (A good suggestion can be
found here: http://www.annerobertson.com/2004/10/shrewd-manager-in-luke-16.html)
- v19-31, the story of the Rich man and Lazarus is about what we do with what we have during our lifetime...but does it also tell us anything about life beyond the grave? How much detail do you think Jesus intended His listeners to attach to these stories?
- v19-31, the story of the Rich man and Lazarus is about what we do with what we have during our lifetime...but does it also tell us anything about life beyond the grave? How much detail do you think Jesus intended His listeners to attach to these stories?
Useful resources to help promote this challenge and
the reading of Scripture at your church/centre/devotions
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