New/Old Testament in a Year: June 2013

Friday 28 June 2013

New Testament Bible Reading Challenge week 18

New Testament Bible Reading Challenge

4 March 2013 to 28th February 2014

Week 18: 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 starting week 18 of the Bible challenge…

...at the end of which we leave the Gospels and begin reading about some of the Acts of the Apostles.

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, July 01, 2013 --- John 18 --- Jesus is arrested and taken before the Jewish leaders and then on to Pilate

- some have suggested that compared to the synoptic Gospels, John's account puts Jesus firmly in control of things even during His arrest and trials...do you agree?

- v15, could 'this other disciple' be the author, John?...if so it would seem he had special access to the details of the trials (v16). How does this add credibility to the Gospel account?

Tuesday, July 02, 2013 --- John 19 --- Pilate has Jesus flogged, then crucified, after which He is laid in a tomb.

- v1, Why did Pilate have Jesus flogged? Was it a legal requirement? An additional cruelty to win favour with the crowd? Or (bearing in mind v12) was it a last ditch attempt to save Him from execution?

- Have you ever wondered why the sign above Jesus on the cross differs slightly between Gospel accounts? v20 gives the reason why.

- v39, do you remember Jesus' encounter with Nicodemus back in chapter 3?...does this verse suggest that Nicodemus finally understood and placed his trust in Jesus openly after all?

Wednesday, July 03, 2013 --- John 20 --- The resurrected Jesus appears to His followers!

- v1, Jesus evidently rose again before daylight...does Sunday count then as one of the 3 days He predicted He'd be dead for? (Mt 12:40)

- v14, why do you think Mary didn't recognise Jesus?

- v19 & 26, What significance is it that the doors were locked, and what can we learn from this?

- v28, as Jews these disciples knew full well that only God is to be worshipped. What significance is it, then, that Thomas used these words, and that Jesus accepted them?

Thursday, July 04, 2013 --- John 21 --- Jesus guides the disciples to a miraculous catch of fish, and reinstates Peter

- v11, is there any reason for letting the reader know that there were 153 large fish caught?

- v15, to what is Jesus referring? The other disciples? The fish?

- v24, the beloved disciples is identified as the author

- v25, this final verse is a staggering thought!

Friday, July 05, 2013 --- Acts 1 --- Jesus is taken into heaven, and Matthias is chosen to replace Judas Iscariot

- v1, The Gospel according to Luke is addressed to Theophilus too (1:3), leading us to presume Acts was written by the same author.

- v9-11, why was Jesus taken in this way?

- v21-26, how legitimate would it be to make major church decisions in this way today?

Friday 21 June 2013

New Testament Bible Reading Challenge week 17

New Testament Bible Reading Challenge

4 March 2013 to 28th February 2014

Week 17: 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 17 of our New Testament Bible Reading Challenge....and we are 1/3 through the entire 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, June 24, 2013 --- John 13 --- Jesus washes His disciples’ feet, and predicts His betrayal and denial.- v14, how literally should we take this command from Jesus? Can you explain your answer?

- v23, who do you think this disciple could be?

Tuesday, June 25, 2013 --- John 14 --- Jesus claims to be the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and promises the Holy Spirit
- v1-3, this is one of the numerous key texts used by proponents of the Rapture (the belief that Jesus is preparing a place for us in heaven, and that He will come and take believers to be with Him, prior to His second coming to rule on Earth.) Is there an alternative interpretation? Or is it logical to interpret these verses in this way (i.e. that Christ will come to take us to be with Him)?

- v6, is there any room here for allowing the possibility that other religions may also lead to God and salvation?

Wednesday, June 26, 2013 --- John 15 --- Jesus teaches how our attitude should be toward each other, God, and the world.- v12, in what ways has Jesus loved His disciples (and us), and how can we repeat this loving behaviour toward one another?

- v26, is this verse of any use for teaching about the nature of the Trinity?

Thursday, June 27, 2013 --- John 16 --- The work of the Holy Spirit is summarised, and the disciples understand more.- v7-15, if the Holy Spirit had not yet been sent, does it make you wonder what life, the world, and those early gatherings of believers were like without His presence?

- in theory, would it be possible for God to withdraw His Holy Spirit again, and revert back to pre-Pentecost days?

Friday, June 28, 2013 --- John 17 --- Jesus prays for Himself, for His disciples, and for all believers.- v20, have we ever considered that here we have a record of Jesus actually praying for you and me!

- v24, what exactly is Jesus saying here?

Friday 14 June 2013

New Testament Bible Reading Challenge week 16

New Testament Bible Reading Challenge

4 March 2013 to 28th February 2014

Week 16: 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 16 of our New Testament Bible Reading Challenge....and are halfway through the Gospel according to John.

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, June 17, 2013 --- John 8 --- Jesus rescues the adulteress, and makes more claims about His divinity.- v6, What do you think they were going to accuse Jesus of? If he agreed with their interpretation of the Law, were they hoping His compassion would override it?

- v6-8, It may be impossible to know exactly what Jesus was writing in the ground - but what suggestions would you have?

- v58-59, Some may say that proving Jesus' divinity is a big part of the Gospel according to John...how do these verses help?

- v58-59, How can these verses help us today as we proclaim the Gospel?

Tuesday, June 18, 2013 --- John 9 --- Jesus heals a man born blind, and talks about spiritual blindness- v3, How might this verse help many who fear that their illness or physical condition is a judgment from God?

- v13-34, This section turns the tables on the Pharisees, who begin by interrogating the man born blind, and end up feeling lectured by him!...what can this teach us about occasions when we feel the odds are stacked against us (humanly speaking)?

- v38, The man born blind eventually realises who Jesus is, and places his belief in Him. What is the first thing that the man then does, and what does this tell us about Jesus? (see also Luke 4:8)

Wednesday, June 19, 2013 --- John 10 --- Those who oppose Jesus do so on the grounds of His claims to be God.- v3, who might 'the watchman' be referring to?

- v30-33, These are very important verses - clearly, although Jesus calls Himself the 'Son of God', and He refers to God the 'Father'....nevertheless, the two are one, both are God, and the Jews understood perfectly well that this was His teaching. How helpful might these verses be to those who struggle with belief in the Trinity?

Thursday, June 20, 2013 --- John 11 --- Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead, and the plot to kill Him intensifies.- v35 is said to be the shortest verse in the entire Bible. What does it tell us about Jesus? Why was He crying?

- compare v45 & v53, as is often the case, Jesus becomes a polarising figure....to what extent is this still true today?

Friday, June 21, 2013 --- John 12 --- The triumphal entry, and Jesus predicts His death.- v16, Why is this verse regarding the disciples' ignorance such useful information? How does it add credibility to the Gospel account?

- v28-30, can you imagine what it must have been like to hear the voice of God?

Tuesday 11 June 2013

New Testament Bible Reading Challenge week 15

New Testament Bible Reading Challenge

4 March 2013 to 28th February 2014

Week 15: Bible Reading Plan and Discussion Starters

Hello!

Just a quick note to let you know that we're back from our family holiday and the next week of Bible Readings and Discussion Notes will be sent out tomorrow (7th June).

It'll be Week 15.

Before we had our break I sent out Weeks 12, 13, and 14, and if you need to catch up on any of these or previous weeks then they are available directly from the website for viewing/download/printing on the right-hand side of the page: http://biblechallenge.salvationarmy.org.uk/

There may be millions of good reasons why it's been difficult to keep up with the schedule, I totally understand, but if you are behind then please persevere, perhaps make use of the rest days or double-up for a week...we're already nearly a third through the whole Challenge and I know for certain it'll be so worth it!

I'll be in touch again tomorrow.

May God bless you,

Phil

Captain Phil Layton

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 15 of our New Testament Bible Reading Challenge....and making our way through John'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.

Monday, June 10, 2013 --- John 3 --- Jesus teaches Nicodemus, and John the Baptist testifies about Jesus

- v3, would you describe yourself as a 'born again Christian'? Is there any other kind of Christian?

- v16-18, some might describe Christianity as being both universally inclusive and exclusive at the same time...would you agree?

Tuesday, June 11, 2013 --- John 4 --- Jesus talks with the Samaritan woman, and many Samaritans believe through her testimony

- v39-42, we see here how God used the woman's testimony to great effect...are we willing to be used in the same way?

- v50, the man believed in Jesus' word, and it came to pass. Do we ever have difficulty in believing some of the words and promises of Jesus?

Wednesday, June 12, 2013 --- John 5 --- Jesus heals at the pool of Bethesda, and states His authority to give life to the dead

- v14....what did Jesus mean here? What could be worse than the man's prior condition (v5)?

- v18 is extremely important. The Jews were trying harder to kill Jesus because He was claiming equality with God. Either He was right, or He was a liar, or else He was deluded...what do you think?

Thursday, June 13, 2013 --- John 6 --- Jesus feeds the 5,000, walks on water, and calls Himself the bread of life.

- v53-59 may give some the impression that some form of cannibalism is being proposed here....is this true? Or is Jesus referring to His title of being the 'bread of life' in response to v30-31?...Does v35 help us to understand what 'eating' and 'drinking' mean within this conversation?

Friday, June 14, 2013 --- John 7 --- Jesus goes to the Feast of Tabernacles

- v5...how sad this is....(but gladly we will discover that later His brothers believed too).

- v33-36, what do you think Jesus meant?