 | New Testament Bible Reading Challenge4 March 2013 to 28th February 2014
Week 37: 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 now continue with week 37 as we continue to read through Paul’s letter to the Colossians,
and begin his first letter to the Thessalonians.
and begin his first letter to the Thessalonians.
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, November 11, 2013 --- Colossians 3 --- Paul gives the Christians in Colossae guidelines for holiness
- v18-21, given that many of us may live in families where it is hard to respect parents, or to love or submit to an abusive spouse, how practical/relevant are these words?
- are they outdated, and only applicable to when the letter was written? if so, has the Bible any real relevance for our daily lives, or can we pick and choose the bits that seem more fitting?
- what would be the danger of taking these Bible verses literally, and without consideration to context then and now?
- what would be the danger of merely dismissing these Bible verses, claiming they are no longer relevant?
- are they a framework for ideals in our relationships?
- v18, can a wife submit to her husband 'as is fitting in the Lord', and in a way that is not an example of mere sexism?
- v19, is it possible to get fixated on the 'submission' aspect of the relationship, to the detriment of the command to 'love'?
- v18&19, is it possible that the combination of mutual submission and love could actually be a proposal for equality?
Tuesday, November 12, 2013 --- Colossians 4 --- Paul ends the letter with further instructions and final greetings
- v5&6, consider what interaction you may have with 'outsiders' in the recent past or future. In what way can your 'conversations be always full of grace, seasoned with salt'?
- v14, a helpful piece of information telling us a bit more about Luke, the author of Acts and the Gospel.
Wednesday, November 13, 2013 --- 1 Thessalonians 1 --- A first letter from Paul, Silas, and Timothy to the church in Thessalonica.
- v10, we are waiting for 'Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath'. In what way may pre-Tribulation Rapture proponents make use of this verse?
Thursday, November 14, 2013 --- 1 Thessalonians 2 --- Paul reminds the church of his last visit, and his eagerness to visit again
- v13, what is 'the word of God'?
- v18, do you think Paul believed that Satan is real? What about you, what do you believe, and why?
Friday, November 15, 2013 --- 1 Thessalonians 3 --- Paul congratulates the church in Thessalonica for their progress
- v5, who is 'the tempter'?
- what would be your weaknesses if the tempter were to attack you? How can you guard against this?
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