 | New Testament Bible Reading Challenge4 March 2013 to 28th February 2014
Week 20: 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 starting week 20 of the Bible challenge…
...and this week we see the amazing transformation of Paul, from persecutor of Christians to Ambassador of Christ!
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 15, 2013 --- Acts 7 --- Stephen proclaims the Gospel and is stoned as a result, and we’re introduced to Saul.- v1-50, Why do you think Stephen went to such lengths of summarising Old Testament history in this way, and to Jewish leaders who would have already known this information so well?
- v59-60, Stephen's final prayer may remind you of someone else who said similar words...who?
- What can Stephen's final witness, prayer, and death teach us for today? Is it merely history which the author of Acts is passing on to us, or is there a lesson we can learn?
Tuesday, July 16, 2013 --- Acts 8 --- Some of Philip’s ministry is described, while Saul sets out to destroy the early Church.- v4, Can this verse remind us that sometimes God allows evil in order to encourage what is good?
- v15-17, there is an interesting order of events here. What can this teach us about the nature of baptism, prayer, and the laying on of hands?
- v39-40, how do you interpret the act of Philip being 'taken away' and then 'appearing' elsewhere?
Wednesday, July 17, 2013 --- Acts 9 --- The amazing story of Saul and his calling to follow Jesus Christ!- v1-18, Given that Saul was a devout Jew who knew all about Jesus, but persecuted Him...and later became a devout Jew who knew all about Jesus, and now worshipped Him...is this actually a conversion or is it a calling? If conversion...a conversion from what? If a calling....a calling to what?
- v31, Is it important to note that although the church spread through persecution, here it seems to have been strengthened by a period of peace? If so, how may this enhance our understanding of contemporary issues within the church and also for individuals?
Thursday, July 18, 2013 --- Acts 10 --- Peter begins to understand that the Gospel is for Gentiles as well as for Jews.- v16, It seems Peter often does things in threes!!!
- v44-48, again we have an interesting order of events. They hear the message, they receive the Holy Spirit, and then they are baptised. Can this tell us anything about the nature of proclamation, salvation, and baptism?
- v45, why do you think the Jewish believers were so surprised that the Gentiles were being saved?
Friday, July 19, 2013 --- Acts 11 --- Peter explains his actions to the Church leaders, as the persecution spreads the Gospel.- v16, As Peter is re-telling the story of the Gentile converts, he contrasts the baptism of the Holy Spirit with water baptism. One could argue that the Holy Spirit being poured onto the Gentiles was their baptism, and so to additionally baptise with water may have been helpful, but unnecessary. What do you think?
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